leaded head conversion?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 316
Likes: 1
leaded head conversion?
I have a 68 coupe 327/350 that I am taking out of storage. Is it easier/cheaper to have the original heads rebuilt to accept unleaded fuel or replace the heads with 70's or later heads that are set up for unleaded fuel?
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 11
It is easier to replace the heads, and could be cheaper depending on the heads you pick, but you do not have to. Your valves and seats will last a very long time running on unleaded gas. It is largely a myth about the wear to seats and valves. I have run '461s and '462s for years on daily drivers in all weather and all traffic conditions with no ill effects.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 316
Likes: 1
leaded head conversion?
You havent run into other problems such as damage to pistons or rings? I have heard that with the compression ratio on my 327/350 that running unleaded fuel can cause ping/damage due to the lack of octane/lead in todays gas. I guess this is really a different question from my original one but I'm trying to make sure I dont do any damage. Thanks.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,359
Likes: 428
From: Seattle Area WA
Don't bother with installing hardened seats in those early heads, they don't need it and the castings tend to crack between the seats when done. You should only be at about 10.25:1 compression with a stock build and with a stock L79 cam (which bleeds off a lot of dynamic compression), you will not have any problems running premium pump fuel with a good tune up.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
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