[Red66]

I'm working on getting a '66 Amazon back on the road and wondering about what type of gas to use. I plan on using premium, but should a lead additive also be used? Thanks for your help.

 

[BHart]

Lead additive is not lead, it's usually potassium.

Not sure it's worth the money and effort. Volvo heads are pretty good steel so will go a long time. Eventually, it will need a valve job. I would wait for that time to have the head re-built and hardened steel valve inserts installed. Then you'll be good for another 200,000 miles.

 

[Red66]

Sounds good, thanks!

 

[virg]

I'm working on getting a '66 Amazon back on the road and wondering about what type of gas to use. I plan on using premium, but should a lead additive also be used? Thanks for your help.

If you look closely at a machined B18 head, there are dark circkes around valve seats. Those are hardened inserts included since the early sixties. So don't bite on the one about sinking $$ into inserts.

You can do without lead etc additive if you go to a hotter thermostat. The B18 can take it. Normally they're 160 summer/ 180 winter. After leaded was eliminated for lead-free I used 192deg thermostats for years to get lead-free to burn in [everyday] 66 and 68. Runs much smoother, with far better mpg.

Have a look at your throttle shafts & bearings, and wear points on carb linkage: they'll have you chasing your tail and scratching yr head over all kinds of expensive mistakes.