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Tractor Talk Discussion Forum

fuel to run in old tractors

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DJL

03-05-2006 18:37:55




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I'm sure this has probably been covered on this forum in the past, but don't remember reading it. We've got a few antique tractors: JD B, Farmall B, Farmall H, Farmall M. Some restored/overhauled some not. We only use these for some light work, shows, hayrides etc. The question is, is unleaded gas okay to run in these, or should we be mixing in lead substitute additive to the gas? Octane preference?
Thanks

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Leroy

03-06-2006 16:01:51




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 Re: fuel to run in old tractors in reply to DJL, 03-05-2006 18:37:55  
Been running unleaded since 74 in everything, all heavy workers, no deisels. 74 was when the auto industry changed requiring the unleaded and the fuel supplier changed to all unleaded as they did not want to install a extra storage tank and never told anybody so every body that bought from that dealer all ran only the unleaded and never heard any complaints. Only found out after they were no longer in business having died of old age. When new supplier started was a different color and questioned them and only then about 20 years later did I find out I was running unleaded so you can see that it never hurt anything.

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PhilcaseinWPa

03-06-2006 07:23:31




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 Re: fuel to run in old tractors in reply to DJL, 03-05-2006 18:37:55  
In my Case 630 I had the head redone when they did away with leaded gas and had hardened valve seats installed. In my 200 Case the seats are original. Both run ok. I replaced the engine in the 630 and I don't know if the new engine had hardened seats or not but it runs fine. I use 89 octane gas. The old manual specifies 90 octane. When I use 87 they don't run as well. I've read some places lately that the old engines don't need hardened seats on unleaded gas. May be true (especially if they are not used hard). Phil

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Kestrel

03-06-2006 04:52:51




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 Re: fuel to run in old tractors in reply to DJL, 03-05-2006 18:37:55  
My understanding is that the valves and seats in old engines needed the lead to soften and protect them. Metallergy, apparently, has advanced so that modern engines don't suffer from this wear and tear.

After the head on my Case was rebuilt using modern valves, seats, etc, my machine shop guy insured me unleaded gas was fine. Prior to the rebuild, I took the old timer's advice and put a lead additive in the tank.

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RustyFarmall

03-06-2006 04:45:57




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 Re: fuel to run in old tractors in reply to DJL, 03-05-2006 18:37:55  
E-10. Never a problem in about 25 years of use.



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buickanddeere

03-06-2006 03:04:59




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 Re: fuel to run in old tractors in reply to DJL, 03-05-2006 18:37:55  
The engine will run cleaner and last longer running unleaded instead of leaded. If you really have to have leaded then try yo find an airport that still carries 80LL avaiation fuel. It's about 87-88 pump octane with a small amount of lead. Best part of av gas is that if not mixed with dirt or water, it doesn't gum up carbs while sitting.



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Dave in Tx

03-05-2006 19:31:59




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 Re: fuel to run in old tractors in reply to DJL, 03-05-2006 18:37:55  
I like seafoam better than stabil. It dispenses water and does pretty good job of cleaning



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Bill(Wis)

03-05-2006 18:57:17




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 Re: fuel to run in old tractors in reply to DJL, 03-05-2006 18:37:55  
Regular unleaded is OK. No need to add lead substitute but use Stabil or something like it because the fuel tends to sit in the tank for a long time. I seem to remember someone telling about a product he thought was superior to Stabil. Does that ring a bell with anyone?



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Jerry/MT

03-05-2006 18:55:24




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 Re: fuel to run in old tractors in reply to DJL, 03-05-2006 18:37:55  
Unleaded fuel is fine The lowest octane grade will run fine. Most of these engines are 6-6.5 compression ratio and they don't need high octane fuel in them.



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Pappy

03-05-2006 18:54:24




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 Re: fuel to run in old tractors in reply to DJL, 03-05-2006 18:37:55  
Run 87 octane gasoline. If you want extra protection, pour a small bottle of 2-cycle oil in the full tank. Helps to keep down rust.



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