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Old Dec 3, 2010 | 01:32 PM
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I have an original 67' with the 350HP engine.I drive the car occasionally and don't beat on it. I have been adding lead additive to every tankful of gas for over 20 years. Is this necessary? I am being told that if you don't beat the engine the soft valve seats will be OK with unleaded gas? Don't want to ruin the heads. If I need to add the lead substitute can anyone reccomend one as my supply of additive has depleated over the years and I will need to purchase more.
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Old Dec 3, 2010 | 01:46 PM
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You don't need it. I haven't used it on any of my old Corvettes and have never had any of the mythical valve recession problems. If anything, the plugs run much cleaner and longer without the lead.
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Old Dec 3, 2010 | 02:26 PM
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You can beat the cr*p out of the engine in your Corvette all you want and it still wouldn't need lead to protect the valves. This is a very old myth that just won't die.
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Old Dec 3, 2010 | 04:28 PM
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Don't think I'd call it a myth, as manufacturer's didn't start using hardened valve seat's for no reason. Unless you're really racking on the mile's, wouldn't worry about it much though.
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Old Dec 3, 2010 | 04:35 PM
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About the only gasoline additives I've seen worth using are gas dryer...the isopropyl alcohol type, to absorb moisture in the system; and fuel conditioner for when the car sits for long periods.

Any other additives are really unneeded as most oil companies put the necessary detergents, etc., in their additive packages. If a car needs more, then it has problems no over the counter additive will fix.

My Dad used to swear by Marvel Mystery Oil as an additive for gasoline and motor oil, but while I don't think it ever helped anything, I also don't believe it hurts anything either. Just unnecessary money spent.
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Old Dec 3, 2010 | 09:06 PM
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Originally Posted by Vette5.5
Don't think I'd call it a myth, as manufacturer's didn't start using hardened valve seat's for no reason. Unless you're really racking on the mile's, wouldn't worry about it much though.
Until you or anyone can show me a genuine case of receding valve seats on a Corvette it's a myth...........
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Old Dec 3, 2010 | 09:13 PM
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On old round motors on planes "Marvel Mystery Oil" was a given to use... Airlines even added it to their DC-3's ect... Lot's of it still used... I've run it for years... "Light Plane Maintenance" ran test's on it some years ago... Same conclusion as mentioned above.... Could NOT see a positive but didn't hurt either.... (sounds like a goverment answer)
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