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Good seatbelt info’ and something to look into. What fuel additives do daily drivers recommend?

Drove mine daily for 2 years and used whatever lead substitute was on the shelf in my local autoparts. REDEX, STP and Carlube were a few brands I can remember.

I only threw it in every now and again, maybe every 5th tank , you don't have to be too strict about it, especially if it is only going to be a weekend or summer car.

For the OHV engine you don't need an octane boost substitute so you can save a bit there. As HC Fairley says you don't really have to be too strict about lead replacement as valve seat recession doesn't appear to be as big a problem as was originally made out, a bit like the Millenium Bug. Certainly consider getting the cylinder head fitted with hardened valve seats for peace of mind. My experience of running a Morris Minor since 1989 on the same basis as HC does with his car suggests that you should only consider conversion when the cylinder head needs to be rebuilt anyway. Our Minor has done in excess of 30K miles since leaded petrol became unavailable and it's cylinder head still doesn't need rebuilt.

Some people suggest using Super Unleaded in their engines and certainly, on the later post 74 OHV cars with the increased compression ratio, that is worth considering, but again your own trial will give you a good idea of what is best for you.

1972nail wrote:Some people suggest using Super Unleaded in their engines and certainly, on the later post 74 OHV cars with the increased compression ratio, that is worth considering, but again your own trial will give you a good idea of what is best for you.

Unless you adjust the timing to the two star setting super unleaded does make the car run better. I had all sorts of pinking and overheat issues in my 1256 on standard unleaded. The other thing is the standard is going to be further polluted with Ethanol when it's bumped from 5% to 10%. Super unleaded will remain 5% and thus kinder to older cars.

Perhaps I am being cynical but I always wondered, how can you guarantee you are getting super unleaded at the pump and not the same standard stuff but 4 or 5 pence a litre dearer?

It's called 'Trading Standards'.

You could buy ordinary unleaded and add your own octane boosting lead substitute. It will cost about the same or to a bit less than buying super unleaded.

1972nail wrote:It's called 'Trading Standards'.

Still plenty of crooks out there though

Anyway, I've never put super unleaded in my 1256 and haven't had any problems. Just a dash of lead substitute every now and again to keep her sweet

Not exactly sure about your part of the world but I only use Shell Gold (super unleaded?) in my car (and lawnmower) not because of octane but because it has no ethanol. In my experience ethanol gums things up.