Buying a MGB. Should i use a fuel additive or not bother?

[Rovinghawk]

I ran one for over ten years on ordinary unleaded & it ran just fine.

[Hooli]

benters said:

has there ever been any tests on this subject ? I ve almost finshed on my MG Midget rebuild and had the head done to run Unleaded, just curious, and yes it goes faster than 55 mph. . .well according to the speedo which looks a little optimistic

Yeah.

British Historic Vehicle Federation? did a test on four additives when four star vanished, I think they used an A-series for the tests. IIRC they do help a bit but they admitted a used engine probably has enough lead in the seats already to not get issues.

I always used to run Castrol Valvemaster & Octane Booster in my Midget, it run better & faster with it in. Without it was a bit flat & pinked, so maybe using 99Octane would have solved it too.

[droopsnoot]

SV8Predator said:

Then, a good while from now, if you do get valve seat recession, you can remove the head and fitted hardened valve seats.

Exactly my philsophy, glad it's not just me.

[LordBretSinclair]

I've been running mine on ordinary unleaded since they stopped doing leaded and I've had no problems yet. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

[davepoth]

droopsnoot said:

SV8Predator said:

Then, a good while from now, if you do get valve seat recession, you can remove the head and fitted hardened valve seats.

Exactly my philsophy, glad it's not just me.

I pulled the head from an MGB (the first time I'd ever done one) and it took me less than an hour. The whole job (including the head work) is going to cost a few hundred pounds even if you farm the whole thing out to a garage, which makes using additives a bit of a waste of time frankly; especially since you probably won't need to do the job for ten years.

[RichB]

Indeed, getting the head off a BMC A series or B Series is child's play, indeed I was cleaning the head and grinding the valves on my brother's Midget when I was 15.

[ARH]

I once did an a series head gasket in a lunchtime. When you have done a few they almost fall off :-)

[williredale]

I use the Shell 97RON V power nitro stuff without additives as the car runs a little better on it than on 95. I used to use cast roll Valvemaster but I kept forgetting and then as others have said to save the money towards a head rebuild if it needs it in the future.

[nta16]

Will,
Shell V-Power Nitro+ is 99 octane

it used to be 98 previously, not sure if it was ever 97 as I can never remember if it was called something else before Opitmax

the package of cleaning additives in these types of fuels can still be adventurous even when the additional octane isn't required for the engine set up

if you like the Shell V-Power Nitro+ then I'd suggest you also try Tesco Momentum99 as it's also 99 octane and has a package of cleaning additives

even though I've had my Midget set up to run on 95 octane I almost exclusively run on Tesco Momentum99

http://www.shell.co.uk/gbr/products-services/on-th...

http://www.tescopfs.com/momentum99

[HumbleJim]

nta16 said:

Will,




even though I've had my Midget set up to run on 95 octane I almost exclusively run on Tesco Momentum99

http://www.shell.co.uk/gbr/products-services/on-th...

http://www.tescopfs.com/momentum99

If your set up for 95 octane what are the benefits of running 99?

[nta16]

HumbleJim said:

nta16 said:

Will,




even though I've had my Midget set up to run on 95 octane I almost exclusively run on Tesco Momentum99

http://www.shell.co.uk/gbr/products-services/on-th...

http://www.tescopfs.com/momentum99

If your set up for 95 octane what are the benefits of running 99?

well if you didn't have a blank space there from quoting me you'd also have -

nta16 said:

the package of cleaning additives in these types of fuels can still be adventurous even when the additional octane isn't required for the engine set up

[HumbleJim]

Ahh okay. I've used it before on the basis that it had less biofuel stuff in it, not sure if the detergents do any good.

I've never noticed octane ratings making any difference except on modern stuff.

[nta16]

HumbleJim said:

Ahh okay. I've used it before on the basis that it had less biofuel stuff in it, not sure if the detergents do any good.

the V-power diesel makes a very noticeable difference no more black smoke out of the exhaust, so the car behind can see, smell and taste the difference, plus running on it in wife's car the engine sounds quieter

HumbleJim said:

I've never noticed octane ratings making any difference except on modern stuff.

you won't notice a difference if the car is set up to run properly on a lower octane, possibly even less so on most modern cars but some performance or sporting type modern cars do specify specify 97 octane and IIRC top line Scoobies(?) were specified foe Shell V-Power(?)

listen I've go no shares in Tesco or Shell, if their products don't work for you or your cars - fine

[caziques]

Some cast iron heads without exhaust valve seat inserts will give problems if the seats are recut and then run on unleaded.

If the cylinder head was manufactured at the start of the shift, when the molds were cold, they will be hard (refer chilled cast iron) even without inserts.

As others have said, don't bother with additives - IF the exhaust valves recede fit inserts - it's a straightforward job.

There is one head that always benefits from inserts, full width six cylinder Triumph up until 1973. Valves are too close together and the head often cracks between the valves (usually starting with cylinder no. 5). Double insert where necessary and fit later (smaller) exhaust valves. End of problem.

I've only ever been in one MGB, local bookmakers son had one at school in 1975.

[williredale]

nta16 said:

Will,
Shell V-Power Nitro+ is 99 octane

it used to be 98 previously, not sure if it was ever 97 as I can never remember if it was called something else before Opitmax

the package of cleaning additives in these types of fuels can still be adventurous even when the additional octane isn't required for the engine set up

if you like the Shell V-Power Nitro+ then I'd suggest you also try Tesco Momentum99 as it's also 99 octane and has a package of cleaning additives

even though I've had my Midget set up to run on 95 octane I almost exclusively run on Tesco Momentum99

http://www.shell.co.uk/gbr/products-services/on-th...

http://www.tescopfs.com/momentum99

You're right (again). My local Shell used to be run by Waitrose and their premium petrol was 97. When I say local, it's less than a mile away so I'm almost on first name terms with the staff there.

I occasionally use Tesco but because the Shell one is so convenient that's where I normally go.

[RichB]

Don't forget that BP Ultimate is the one of the only remaining fuels which claims to be ethanol free.

[nta16]

RichB said:

Don't forget that BP Ultimate is the one of the only remaining fuels which claims to be ethanol free.

does it, I've never noticed that about BP Ultimate, BP always used to make my exhaust sound rough so I tend to avoid it

as I actually use my car I don't worry about these ethanol rumours, my car's sat for a couple of weeks or more without use and then easily and immediately ran fine

the Tesco Momenent99 is stated as up to 5% ethanol and the 10% seem mostly to be exaggerated or misunderstandings - there's a thread already on here including posts about it so those interested can look for it or stick with their beliefs

EFS

Edited by nta16 on Monday 21st April 13:54

[RichB]

nta16 said:

- there's a thread already on here including posts about it so these interested can look for it or stick with their beliefs

Don't know if that was meant to sound condescending or not but regarding BP it's not a belief it's a fact because from time to time I email their technical sept. to check that it is still ethanol free.

[Riley Blue]

As the ethanol content of fuel is a potential problem for a large number of cars and bikes, could any evidence - e.g. link to fuel company web pages showing fuel formulae, e-mails from them etc. be posted for all to see?

[nta16]

RichB said:

nta16 said:

- there's a thread already on here including posts about it so those interested can look for it or stick with their beliefs

Don't know if that was meant to sound condescending or not but regarding BP it's not a belief it's a fact because from time to time I email their technical sept. to check that it is still ethanol free.

not meant to be condensing about your info on BP fuel and it's lack of ethanol, would be nice if BP and Shell put up in addition to all their marketing blurb the same info about their fuel as Tesco do

the belief bit refers to the Daily Fail type ethanol stories, myths and legends

decades ago we had that using unleaded petrol would blow our engines apart, steal our money and rot our teeth, now we have rumours about the dire consequences of ethanol and lack of ZZ Top in our engine oils - as if we haven't got enough problems with the government, DVLA and other authorities out to get us - I've locked all the doors, drawn the curtains and disguised my car, they're not getting me