this might be a real dumbass question but any wayyy. do minis just take unleaded fuel? i am in the process of purchasing a 1978 Spack. And have no idea haha first car/first mini thanks guys

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I have a problem.. apparently

originally minis were only designed for leaded fuel (ie. LRP) so unless you've had hardened valve seats put in your engine, then it will still need LRP or unleaded with additives. not too many cars have been converted to unleaded heads so the chances r u will need LRP

-jimmy

daamn i dont think LRP is too common out here...but then again maybe i just dont look for it. How much would a conversion cost?

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I have a problem.. apparently

No, not unless the head has been modded a little. You need to have hardened exhaust seats put in to run straight unleaded. In your case, it is very unlikely that it has been done.

However...

You can get an additive that you squirt into you fuel every time you fill up. I use stuff called flashlube, which is easily the best stuff on the market. This will do what the lead in the fuel does, which cools your exhaust seat. It also cleans your engine a little, but thats a whole nother story. I use this along with premium unleaded, I usually go Shell Optimax. It works out to be like 40c per tank for the flashlube additive. Ya use 1ml of flashlube per 1litre of fuel. You can also get inline kits, but I prefer to just squirt it into the tank.

You can run straight lead replacement, but keep in mind that it doesn't really burn clean. You will notice a build up of this red crap in your combustion chambers, spark plugs, etc. It does have a higher octane rating than normal unleaded, but isn't as high as premium unleaded.

I would recomend you use Premium Unleaded, with a squirt of Flashlube, as would many others here.

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not too sure about how much it'd cost for the inserts but you can always add a lead replacment additive...i think there are some guys on here always use unleaded and an additive....

If you lot wonder how to measure the Flashlube, the instructions on the bottle are F'all help- they just say use 1ml per litre. But there's no measure...
I measured the cap on the 1L bottle and it's about 7.5ml, so I put 2 capfuls in the tank then tip 15L of 98 Premium unleaded on top of it.
Yes it works- last time the head was off (after 30,000 miles) all the valves and seats needed was wire brushing. Never seen them so clean..

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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.

wow. thanks guys hopefully ill get some pics up soon so i can ask for your opinion. is $1500 a decent price? hardly and rust, runs umm....sports exhaust..pretty good condition i think compared to others i have looked at

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I have a problem.. apparently

$1500 for a Mini with no rust is a good price!

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argh $400!

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Yea, you have to wonder why a product which is supposed to be measured fairly accurately on a regular basis (every time you refuel) is supplied in the most inconvenient bottle ever to measure from, they might as well sell it in a tin can, plus the bottle leaks badly when not upright.

I just have a nip pourer like I use at work (I've got dozens bought or "borrowed") with the bottle - its twin 20 litre tanks, every refuel is about 14-15 litres in each tank so 15mls of Flashlube which is half a shot which I can free pour pretty accurately.

I use a gizmo called a 'prozone fuel saver' it is a tin lead catalyst that fits in the fuel line near the carby. It adds a small amount of tin and some other stuff to the fuel. Got ot from Repco for about $140.00. They say it will last for five years or 300,000K. No need for addatives in the tank, no valve problems. I also have one, a larger version, on my 4.2L diesel Patrol. Have had no dramas with either, noticed within a day or so the effect it was having on the mini. Smoother idle, more power, no pinking.

Bob

Oops,

Forgot to tell you I use premium ULP.

I've got 2 50ml Flashlube squirty bottles that I refill from a bigger bottle of Flashlube once they run out. These 50ml bottles are real handy, as they have MEASUREMENTS ON THE SIDE!

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hey guys can i ask where you get this flashlube stuff from?m and what is it exactly? lead replacement? or octane booster? or something else?

thanks
-jimmy