XMbrissytom 3 Posted December 27, 2015 I'm restoring an old '64 falcon that has the original 170 cci motor in it and was wanting to know how to go about converting the old motor to unleaded fuel. I'm pretty sure I need a new alloy head for unleaded fuel. Is this correct? If this is the case are there pre-cross flow heads available or would I have to change it to a cross flow head? Do I have any other options then replacing the head if I can't keep the motor pre-cross flow? Any advice is welcome Cheers Tom. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slydog 7,873 Posted December 27, 2015 Just pour unleaded in the tank. It would of already been run on unleaded I'm sure unless the engine hasn't been used since 1990 something. The only difference on a unleaded and leaded head engine is the valve seats.On a unleaded engine there made from hardened steel inserts. Thats it... 2 SLO247 and Nath reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Polson 10,214 Posted December 27, 2015 Late 80s was when cars were made to run on unleaded. You can take the head into an engine builder/recondition and have hardened valve seats fitted, and then the motor will be fine on unleaded. 1 Outback Jack reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
XMbrissytom 3 Posted December 27, 2015 Cool well I will talk to a engine reconditioner about hardened valve seats when I get the cyclinders bored larger as well. Thanks fellas. By the way does anyone know a good engine reconditioner in brisbane? Was just going to jump on yellow pages but had a thought that some might be better then others. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
slydog 7,873 Posted December 27, 2015 Cam @ Engine Engineering Bris-Vegas Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ando76 4,354 Posted December 27, 2015 +1 on Engine Engineering. Tell Deb in the office or Cam in the workshop that Tony and Rob sent you in and they will sort you. Set of hardened seats and your good to go. I converted Penny!s Coupe (170) & the woody over many years ago. Both see doing fine on unleaded. Good chance your head will need attention in the seats anyway so up may as well do it properly, especially if the engine is apart. I do recommend crack testing those early heads as they are prone to cracking. 2 Nath and Outback Jack reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
steve mcqueen 1,796 Posted December 27, 2015 Why cant Flash lube just be added to the tank? Its a product made specially for applications like this. Thus making it a fuel that is compatible with early engines not suitable for unleaded. In this guys instance it wont matter as it sounds like he is getting his engine re built anyway so the machine shop would recommend hardened valve seats and new valves,,,, But.... For people who have an old classic, weather that be an early Falcon or a Morris or a side valve V8 cant they just put this valve saver fluid into their tanks and carry on per normal? 1 Nath reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mr Polson 10,214 Posted December 27, 2015 I have been told (unsure on truth) that valve saver/flash lube only limits the damage, not prevents it. 1 Outback Jack reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tpak addict 1,909 Posted December 27, 2015 One good thing about the old X-Flows is they were already fitted with pretty good combo thanks to the Taxi industry. Ford put hardened seats in from XC I think due to number of cars converting to LPG at the time...... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deankxf 20,263 Posted December 27, 2015 I have been told (unsure on truth) that valve saver/flash lube only limits the damage, not prevents it. so does driving normally though, people told Me running alloy heads on LPG would wear them out etc.. probably does, but if its not driven much and runs fine, a flashlube kit even would suffice, saves adding it to the tank on every fill if you cant be bothered.. http://www.flashlube.com/en/products/valve-saver-kit.html Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
XMbrissytom 3 Posted December 28, 2015 A mate of mine had a fully worked 186 in his HR holden and he said it used to ping a lot on fuel unless it was 98 octane and I don't want to be added fluids each time I fill up Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gerg 10,871 Posted December 28, 2015 Depends on if it's going to be a daily driver or a Sunday car. If it's a daily, it may only take a year or two to pay off the cost of conversion vs using valve saver in every tank. If it's just a cruise car, the cost of conversion may never pay itself off. Valve saver is only used in small amounts (I think you get 10 treatments out of a bottle) so works out a few dollars per tank. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ando76 4,354 Posted December 28, 2015 True but if the engine is apart and is getting a re bore I'd suggest the seats are tired so why not avoid the hassle of the flash lube. Nothing wrong with it but. I'd use it on an existing engine that was running fine for sure, especially a limited use vehicle 3 matt_lamb_160, deankxf and Outback Jack reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
