Hi

I've currently got my Cooper S motor apart and am contemplating what to do with the head.

Do I get unleaded seats fitted or go with one of the additive systems, perhaps the one that GR has.

Please let me know your thoughts and experiences.

Cheers
Steve

I reckon you should get Unleaded inserts in the head. This way the valves definately won't recede. If inserted by a reputable engine reconditioner, they will not fall out.

The additives are mostly a load of bologne! Some are plastic based of all things, and the ones that claim they release tin, have also been shown to be about as effective as a hiclone! If you have to use an additive, valvemaster is the only one that I am aware of that has independant test results to back it up, and even it only had about 80% as much wear resistance (against VSR) as tetra-ethyl lead!

Go hardened valve seats all the way! Cheaper in the long run too!

M

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68 Deluxe.... it's shiny..... I like shiny!!

Hardened seats are the go if it's apart.
We put them in the wife's 1293.

But my 1360 runs on Flashlube, the exhaust ports and valves are too big for inserts...
The seats are not receding, in fact they are shiny and much cleaner than when we had real leaded super...
I tried Valvemaster in one 1275 motor, it crapped all the ports and plugs up with brown shite... Flashlube doesn't.
Flashlube was invented in Oz years ago for iron headed Falcadore taxis running LPG, as it's a dry fuel too and causes seat recession.
$16 for 1L bottle, it does 1000L, so fuel cost is only 1.6c/L extra.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

When I had my head done the machine shop said there wasn't enought meat round the ports to put inserts in - so I religiously use Flashlube, and haven't noticed any ill effects with plugs etc. I run 98, and it's 1330.
Even in the V8 Rover, which has hardened seats, I still use Flashlube. Cheap insurance I reckon.
Peter.

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1969 Mini Cooper S MKII (1330)
1972 Honda 750/4 (his),1976 Honda 400/4 (hers)
1982 Honda CB1100RC (ours)

I used valvemaster in the 998 that was in the deluxe, cooper head. With a fresh head, 10,000 miles later no VSR. Chambers and ports were all very good shape.

I haven't tried flashlube though. I wouldn't use anything apart from these two. (so called 'catalyst' in line systems etc don't work)

The only real test is a fresh reco head, otherwise an old head will have lead memory, and the fancy brand X stuff will 'appear' to work.

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68 Deluxe.... it's shiny..... I like shiny!!