• Registered: 2009-03-05
  • Posts: 4

Topic: Converting to Unleaded

Hi all, I'm new to this VW obsesion. My wife and I want to buy and restore a late 60's-early 70's bug. My questions are "How do you convert them to Unleaded "Premium" fuel, without having to use the valve protector liquid in evey tank? Is there an process during engine rebuild, or an add-on to the motor? I have talked to a VW mechanic and he has had people swear by "Unleaded Heads" but say that he cannot tell the difference between them. He stated that when they run on unleaded fuel, the engine runs hotter and you don't want that for an aircooled engine. Is this all correct?

Please help!!

  • From: Bethel Park PA
  • Registered: 2004-06-27
  • Posts: 686

Re: Converting to Unleaded

If you're running a stock engine and driving only a couple of thousand miles a year, with not many high speed highway miles, there's nothing to worry about.  Just drive it.  Back in the day, I drove many thousands of miles using Amoco White Gas (unleaded) with no ill effects.

David H
'66 VW Beetle w/sunroof
http://tinyurl.com/qhw59
"Where am I going ... and why am I in this handbasket?"
  • From: Grayson, GA
  • Registered: 2008-03-19
  • Posts: 444

Re: Converting to Unleaded

Since the early 60's or at least from the manual, fuel type is up to you.

"Around 1967, VW changed the hardness of their valve seats to a degree that they are unleaded-ready. Earlier VWs might suffer from valve seat wear, but really, not to the extent that some other cars did. Yes I have seen some early 60s (40HP) heads with valve seats that wore away from unleaded gas, but I've seen others that were fine. "



http://www.thesamba.com/vw/archives/manuals/64bugowners/page_11.jpg

1971 Standard Beetle. Answers to the name "Big Bird"
1974 Westfalia. Answers to the name "Winifrid"

71_georgia_beetle's Website

  • From: Delaware, OH
  • Registered: 2006-05-30
  • Posts: 605

Re: Converting to Unleaded

You'll be fine.

Yes, I do have a "new" engine, but without an actual effort to do it, any legitimate engine builder will create an engine for you that will easily handle unleaded fuel.

I will often run 93 octane unleaded, and my Bug runs amazing!!

Eric - '68 "Herbie" 1835cc (O\(53)/O)
GO BUCKS !!!!!!
  • Registered: 2007-03-27
  • Posts: 2,422

Re: Converting to Unleaded

Leaded fuel as in Ethyl ! Wrong forum think this need's to be in the Mopar Forum LMAO
  But seriously what your Mech mean's by Unleaded Head's is Mexican Head's came stock with the Stainless steel Valve's Hardend Seat's etc
  Beaware that the V.W. motor has certain Characteristic's too them ! Droppin Valve's is one on these Characteristic's of the Olden Day's !
  Use to be that at 60 to 70 K mile's a V.w. needed a valve job now with the more modern Type 1 Head's they easily Run a 100K mile's ! No problem !
  What you need to Decide is wether or not you intend to really Drive the Car !! Most Beginners screw up and wind up parkin the Car out back for 20 year's ???
  You need to decide if you gonna Build a OEM restoration or a Hot Rodd ! The 2 style's are different Animal's altogether !
  EXample OEM horse was 36 to 53 Horse's ! With just a 1776cc motor you Double this to a 100+ Horses ! A stroker Motor will Runn upper's of 150 to 220 Horses ??
  Just Beaware that a Car designed for 50 Horses or 60 horse's Max ??? Is gonna need a lott of Re- configuration just to handle twice the Horse Power with out breakin the Car ! As too Strokers you need to consider a Sub frame under the Pann just to hold the motor inside the Engine Compartment when you Romp her Hard ??
  Best advice I can Give !! Is count your Money first ! Then decide what the Car will be from it's Conception ! OEM or MIld Performer Or Race Car ??
  Leaded Ethyl !!! Man we be talkin 12-1 CCR and a Cross Ramm manifold's with 2 Carter AFB's on a 426 Stage 3 Head Motor !!
  5 MPG at .46 cent'a a Gal. ??? Man those were the Day's ! Fill up at the Airport what Im talkin about !!! LMAO
  The Lead actually worked as a Lubrication for Valve's / Seat's !! Go figure !!
                                                                       Sean

  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 3,622

Re: Converting to Unleaded

Max: Some good reading:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewto … d+unleaded
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewto … d+unleaded
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewto … d+unleaded
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewto … d+unleaded
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewto … d+unleaded
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewto … d+unleaded

And that's just a few of the many I found on the Samba. You will find differing opinions there, but most lean toward the fact that no particular effort is needed in running a "leaded" engine on unleaded fuel unless you push the car really hard.

One of your countrymen has a good discussion too :http://www.vw-resource.com/leaded.html The general site address is http://www.vw-resource.com/index.html

Clancy

  • From: Grayson, GA
  • Registered: 2008-03-19
  • Posts: 444

Re: Converting to Unleaded

Just throw a few fishing weights in at each fill and lead it up!

1971 Standard Beetle. Answers to the name "Big Bird"
1974 Westfalia. Answers to the name "Winifrid"

71_georgia_beetle's Website