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Unleaded Conversion
53racer - February 12th, 2006 at 07:59 PM

Ok, now I have searched for this..... and i got 1 hit for a bug sale.... :o

anyone done, or can give info on an unleaded conversion, dont exactly wanna keep buying that lead additive.

helbus - February 12th, 2006 at 08:04 PM

As far as I am lead to believe there is no such thing as an unleaded conversion unless the motor is more than 40 years old. Alloy heads on VW's were designed to run unleaded as a lot of countries had it long before we did in Australia.

Someone will confirm the year when hardened valve seats were first used.

We have never used a fuel additive in the ten years we have owned VW's, and that includes a 1970 beetle and a 1975 bus.

53racer - February 12th, 2006 at 08:53 PM

what about a 1964 1200?

aggri1 - February 13th, 2006 at 07:26 AM

The additive is cheap if you buy a big bottle. Try say repco, maybe even kmart or something...

PrettyBlueBug - February 13th, 2006 at 07:43 AM

When I bought my Beetle I was using the additive... then my mechanic said do NOT use it, just use PULP. I don't have half as many mechanical probs as I did have, and PBB drives soooo much smoother and quicker now! :cool:

helbus - February 13th, 2006 at 08:15 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by 53racer
what about a 1964 1200?


Aha, now we have a bit more info.

Pre 1967 I am uncertain about, but any 1968 onwards heads are fine. If you have later heads on your motor you will be fine.

Menangler - February 13th, 2006 at 05:16 PM

I run my '64 1200 on pulp no additive, runs fine

Bizarre - February 13th, 2006 at 08:55 PM

Dave

Does it have an original motor??

53racer - February 13th, 2006 at 09:25 PM

Ive decided for now to finish the lead additive that came with the car, once thats thru ill run the tank near empty then fil completely on premo. hopefully get some decency.

I've decided to keep the 1200 engine, so just wanna make sure i dont harm it. :smilegrin:

Menangler - February 13th, 2006 at 10:21 PM

yes, original 85,000 miles never been apart.

PrettyBlueBug - February 14th, 2006 at 07:49 AM

You should be fine without additive. Mine's not a '64 Bug, but it runs much more smoothly on PULP (loves the Optimax Extreme! ;)) and I get a few extra miles out of a tank too.