1963 Lead additive necessary in motor?

[Bob walsh]

I purchased at auction, a frame-off 61' TBird. The 390 was rebuilt with mild street cam, aluminum intake with Edelbrock four-barrel Q: Should I be using a lead additive, and which ones are good?
Thanks Bob

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[DannyInNJ]

The problem with unleaded fuel in classic cars has always been valve seats. Not sure how true it is, I've never seen a problem on teardown, but that is the common school of thought.
If your motor was rebuilt the valve seats are one of the first things replaced with the newer hardened versions, but without talking to the guys who did the build you can't be sure. Can't imagine they worked on the motor without doing it, though.. Did they replace the cylinder heads?
All that being said, I have never seen the issue on a torn-down engine. But as far as I have seen, the only thing necessary - and this is my opinion - is an octane booster added to Premium pump fuel. As long as that big FE doesn't have any valve knock you should never have a problem. We're finding the real issue is not what's missing (LEAD) as what's in there now: alcohol. Ethanol in fuel (commonly marked E10 on the pump) absorbs moisture, and carries what used to settle at the bottom on your fuel tank through the system. It is also highly corrosive, It lowers octane.
I use something called Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment. It supposedly solves all the E10 problems (NEVER go above that, like E15, and if you can find Ethanol-free gas, BUY IT). A bigger plus for me is that it also contains a gas stabilizer: it keeps the gas from getting stale, a real problem in cars that see limited use like mine. Good stuff.
Here's a link. Hopefully our Moderator replaces it with a link that benefits our forum. Good stuff. I keep a case in the truck, and a bottle goes in every time I fill up.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001VMNHX8/?tag=thunderbirdforum-20

 

[Bob walsh]

Great info! No detailed info available on motor rebuild, can only assume they replaced
Valve seats. I get Murphy no ethanol premium at Walmart. Thanks Bob

 

[Ezdarryl58]

I purchased at auction, a frame-off 61' TBird. The 390 was rebuilt with mild street cam, aluminum intake with Edelbrock four-barrel Q: Should I be using a lead additive, and which ones are good?
Thanks Bob

I have a 64 with 390 been running unleaded premium fuel last 3 years haven't had any problems what so ever so valve seats are still holding up

 

[Bob walsh]

I have a 64 with 390 been running unleaded premium fuel last 3 years haven't had any problems what so ever so valve seats are still holding up

Thanks, I use Murphy premium no ethanol gas.

 

[Bond007]

Great looking car, Bob. Enjoy!

 

[Bob walsh]

Thanks It was beautifully redone to match previously owners taste, including Grey and Red leather interior to include padded dash!

 

[Douglemmo]

HI
W/r to the absence of lead in the currently available gas, in addition to the potential issue of valve seats, these is also a potential issue with the wear between the cam shaft and the lifters. Anybody have a comment on the cam?

 

[64ZCODE]

Yes, I've heard a zinc additive helps to prevent that wear. I'm running Mobile 1 15W-50 synthetic and it has zinc additive.

 

[doug7740]

HI
W/r to the absence of lead in the currently available gas, in addition to the potential issue of valve seats, these is also a potential issue with the wear between the cam shaft and the lifters. Anybody have a comment on the cam?

Early Thunderbird engines have flat valve tappets. Flat valve tappet cams have a extremely high pressure loading at the contact point between the lifter crown and the cam lobe. That’s why I use 15W-40 Shell Rotella T in my 1955 Thunderbird.



doug7740

1955 Thunderbird Blue

 

[Frankie the Fink]

The lead additive is a different problem than the level of ZDDP...
A typical street driven classic car does not require the lead additive or hardened valve seats (although that mod is wise during a rebuild). A flat tappet car DOES require ZDDP and several oils contain it in sufficient quantities such as the Mobil 1 15W-50W...but there are cheaper, non-synthetic alternatives.

 

[henro]

All Ford engines in my recollection have what is called induction hardened valve seats from the factory. Along with stellite exhaust valves they don't NEED the valves or seats replaced. Chevy's, YES. I know machine shop have to make money, and selling a complete rebuild is how some do it.

 

[64ZCODE]

All Ford engines in my recollection have what is called induction hardened valve seats from the factory. Along with stellite exhaust valves they don't NEED the valves or seats replaced. Chevy's, YES. I know machine shop have to make money, and selling a complete rebuild is how some do it.

Very interesting, just goes to show how we need to sort tribal knowledge from the real deal!

 

[Bond007]

In other words, Ford had a better idea.

 

[64ZCODE]

In other words, Ford had a better idea.

Yes, just not about the shifting mechanism🙂