Does anyone use "Instead of Lead" or similar fuel additives? These are actually a lubricant, not replacement of lead, but I wonder if this is needed for a 1776cc air cooled engine. Any experience out there?
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You don't need a fuel or oil additive. Trust me, it's just another snake oil...
If lubrication is what you desire then use an oil high in Zinc and Phosphate. This is a 'very' long read but it's highly informative regarding proper oil for an air cooled engine. http://forums.pelicanparts.com...ate-cj4-sm-oils.html
I'm sure your compression is low so just keep the total ignition advance to no more than 28 degree's before top dead center and your engine won't detonate. Timing is done at 3,500 rpm's because at that RPM, all the timing advance is 'in'
Set the timing at 28 degree's before top dead center and don't worry about the initial timing.
VW added hardened valve seats in 1967, so no lead is needed in the gas. Even before that the valve seats were still steel, so they will last longer than other iron head engines of that time without any lead in the fuel. And that's assuming your heads haven't had a valve job since the late '60s. Any aftermarket head will run unleaded.
My mechanic recommended an oil from Lucas oil with a high Zinc content for this very reason;
http://www.lucasoil.com/products/display_products.sd?iid=391&catid=25&loc=show&headTitle= - HOT ROD & CLASSIC CAR 10W-30 MOTOR OIL
I opened this can of worms, so I'll wade in. I spent a good part of my career testing oils and engines for wear. I'm not asking about zinc or wear properties of oil. That I understand. What I'm asking is about exhaust valve to seat adhesion. I think it's been answered well. It's not a problem with these air cooled engines. Thanks.