Premium Unleaded in '76 1600?

[ByronRichesMk1]

Just wondering guys whether or not running premium unleaded fuel in my mk1 would cause any problems?
The car itself is a 1976 1600 8V, & is running on regular unleaded fine with no additive.
So, either that.. Or should I be putting a lead additive in my fuel because of the age of the car? If it is any help the car is currently bone stock, so it's running a Solex carburetor.

[h100vw]

I am pretty close to 100% sure that all MK1s have hardened seats are are capable of running unleaded without additives. If you use 95 octane all the time, then you should be able to bump the timing a touch if you want, to get a bit of extra go.

Gavin

[ByronRichesMk1]

Okay cool thank you!

-Byron

[Volksee77]

some of the mk1's had hardened valve seats but they do still suffer from valves seat recession regardless. For the cost of upper cylinder lubricant (buy it in bulk) it is well worth the $1 a tank rather than a big bill in a few years. I use 98 in my mk1 and have always had 50ml of upper cyl lubricant in every tank and suffer no valve recession for years now. Motor before this when leaded first go phased out ended up stuffed from recession.

[ByronRichesMk1]

Thanks Volksee.Where abouts could I get hold of this lubricant? Standard auto places like super cheap or auto one? Sounds like a very good idea to me, plus for that small amount of money per tank too it seems like no brainer!

[kai_h]

You're probably not going to have any benefit from running premium over regular unleaded.
Either way, the lubricant is a good idea as a preventative measure, but as for getting more oomph out of the engine, premium won't do this as the engine isn't tuned for premium.

[Preen59]

All VW inline 4 engines have hardened valve seats. Even most of the air cooled engines did- They were one of the first manufacturers to do so.

If I was you, I'd run E10 where possible and upper cylinder lube always.

Any Bursons/Auto1/Repco(if you want to pay an arm and a leg) etc etc will have it. Ask for upper cylinder lube.. "Flashlube" is a popular brand and the one we use.

You can buy a kit with a bottle, line, jet and adjustable needle valve that mounts in your engine bay. We have that on my old man's Rodeo (runs on gas) and the XC 302 Wagon we tow the Dragster with.

Alternatively you can buy it in "one tank sized" bottles and buy a 2L bottle.. Fill your tank and drop a bottle in each time, then refill and repeat.

[GRN_VAGN]

ive always run premium in my golfs, regardless of engine.
I find it burns cleaner, runs smoother and i get more Kays to the tank.

[SMOK3Y]

i even have always used 98 in my mower & whipper snipper. made the whipper sniper feel alot more 'smooth'

[GRN_VAGN]

i even have always used 98 in my mower & whipper snipper. made the whipper sniper feel alot more 'smooth'

, dont lie, you have a turbo sniper

[SMOK3Y]

lol would be funny. ive seen on youtube rednecks put turbos on Victas lol

[ByronRichesMk1]

Cheers for all the information guys!
I'll definitely nip out and pick up some of the upper cylinder lubricant that was mentioned next time I head in to work! Probably do it in bulk too. Then the next tank of fuel will be 98 w/ the lubricant!

Also.. I've seen some of those videos too haha, the guy that did the head work on my Mk1 has built his own ride on lawnmower with a car engine in it, apparently it's ridiculously fast haha! Would definitely be a heap of fun for the laughs though.