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From: sra@oddjob.UChicago.UUCP (Scott Anderson)
Newsgroups: net.auto,net.consumers
Subject: Re: No Leaded Gas -- Now What?
Message-ID: <626@oddjob.UChicago.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 8-Mar-85 01:24:30 EST
Article-I.D.: oddjob.626
Posted: Fri Mar  8 01:24:30 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 9-Mar-85 07:28:49 EST
References: <132@ucbcad.UUCP> 
Reply-To: sra@oddjob.UUCP (Scott Anderson)
Organization: U. Chicago: Astronomy & Astrophysics
Lines: 27
Xref: watmath net.auto:5992 net.consumers:1940
Summary: 

>> Well, now that the EPA is actually cracking down on leaded gas, let's be
>> realistic and assume that soon (too soon) there will be no leaded gas
>> available at all.  What do I do with my wonderful old '68 VW Ghia that is
>> so cheap, reliable, fun to drive (it's not quite stock!), etc?  Replace
>> the valves and run on unleaded?  Find gas additives?  Sell it quick?
>
>RELAX!  As I understand it, the only purpose of putting lead into gas is to
>raise the octane rating--and one can do that without using lead.  I think
>EPA is to be commended for taking this step.

That is the current purpose of putting the lead in, but people with
air-cooled engines (which run at higher temperatures than water-cooled
engines) also rely on the lead to provide lubrication for the engine valves,
which is what the first quote refers to.  I am in the same boat with
my '65 Corvair; if the lead isn't there, the engine will deteriorate much
more rapidly than otherwise.

I have heard, however, that lead is not going to be removed completely,
but that there will still be small quantities in gasoline that will be
sufficient for lubrication, while being significantly less than the current
amount (a few percent, I believe).  Some years hence lead *will* be phased
out, but by then my Corvair, and his Ghia, should be in their graves.

					Scott Anderson
					ihnp4!oddjob!kaos

A 20-year old Corvair?  That's almost as old as *I* am!