Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site floyd.UUCP
Path: utzoo!linus!security!genrad!grkermit!masscomp!clyde!floyd!wgg
From: wgg@floyd.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: Re: Methanol Question
Message-ID: <2035@floyd.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 24-Jan-84 14:03:56 EST
Article-I.D.: floyd.2035
Posted: Tue Jan 24 14:03:56 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 27-Jan-84 07:58:52 EST
Organization: AT&T Bell Laboratories Whippany NJ
Lines: 15

Metallic lead does indeed act as a lubricant.  The valves in
older cars were designed to depend on the lead left after
combustion to lubricate the contact surfaces between the
valves and their seats.  Some studies conducted by the SAE in
the early '70s indicated that in some of these older engines,
the use of lead-free gasoline caused little welds to occur
between valves and seats, with consequent pitting when the
cams pushed the valves open.

The problem was eliminated by changing the valve configuration
so that it ran cooler.  The technique used varied.  In some
cases, the valve was sodium filled.

Bill Graves (floyd!wgg) (Who drives a Cadillac and thinks
Mitsubishi makes Starions).