Unleaded additive - yes or no?

[Chris Attrill]

Greetings everyone. I'm a pretty recent club member and this is my first post.

After much searching I've just purchased my 1974 Stag which has an extensive history and there's much evidence that it has been well cared for; engine is very smooth, sweet and there are to knocks, rattles or anything remotely untoward evident. My question is: Given that there is no evidence that my car has had an unleaded conversion completed, shoud I use a fuel additive or is it considered largely unnecessary?

[Chris Attrill]

Above should read 'no knocks' etc., etc!

[Kithmo]

I'm no expert (one should be along shortly) but I think the stag already has hardened inserts for the valve seats, due to it having alloy heads, so it should run fine on unleaded. There may be some ignition timing adjustment to be made though.

[Chris Attrill]

Many thanks

[DJT]

Welcome to the world of Stag ownership and the SOC Forum.

As above. No need for additive. Just use regular 95 octane unleaded. If the engine ‘pinks’ under load, the timing might need retarding a touch.

[StagJonno]

Agree with the above. Allegedly, the lead replacement products do nothing other than empty your wallet!

Jonno

[Ritchie6]

When I bought my Stag last year I asked the same question and was told that as it was made with an eye on the American market they made provisions for it to run happily on unleaded fuel. The only thing that I occasionally do is now and again I fill up with the higher octane that is available at our local garage just to give it a bit of a boost. It's about 10p a litre dearer but 2 or 3 times a year isn't too much of an extravagance.

Richard

[mole42]

I use the cheapest fuel I can get, usually Asda unleaded, and drive at least 10,000 miles a year. Some of it against the clock.
No problems.

[Chris Attrill]

Thanks everyone for your info and advice. I think I'll press-on without additive and see how it goes.