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MG MG Y Type - Has My Engine Been Modified for Unleaded?

When I bought my "Y" about 4 months ago I was led to believe that the cylinder head had NOT been modified for unleaded fuel. However, whilst studying the piles of receipts received with the car I have discovered reference to a payment in 2001 for a "lead-free engine head". This prompts me to ask:

"Are there any external indications that would confirm that the cylinder head had been modified?"
D G Avery

Don

There are no external tell tale signs of whether or not your engine's head has been unleaded. Howeve, whether it has or has not been I would not be too unduly concerned as the quality of petrol/gasoline that the XPAG engine was built for was extremely poor.

Essentially I would say run it on regular unleaded without any worries until such time as other work on the engine that necessitates a cylinder head removal is required and cross the bridge then.

If before then your engine has hot running issues or pre-ignition/running on problems then just lay the ignition timing back a few degrees.

Paul
Paul Barrow

When in doubt, I've been using a lead substitute in all my pre-1975 engines after having read a technical report that you can find on this page: http://www.redlineoil.com/techinfo.aspx Click on ĞLead Substitute Tech Infoğ.

This is the nectar in question: http://www.redlineoil.com/product.aspx?pid=78&pcid=12

Very economical and easy to find in the US and UK on Ebay.
Gilles Bachand

DG.. I ran a 1954 MG-TF 1250 for over 60,000 miles and it was still okay. It had never been modified. I always used regular pump fuel without any additives.
One safe way to monitor your engine is to set the valves and every 2-3000 mile recheck the clearance. Any major change in clearanc may indicate an up coming valve recession problem. I would not do anything to it until it shows a potential problem.
If it ain't broke don't fixit.
Sandy
SANDY SANDERS

This thread was discussed between 08/12/2010 and 09/12/2010

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