Leaded Or Unleaded?

[711]

I have a vehicle that was registered in 1974. I have the engine no. etc. How can I positively determine whether the motor is made to take leaded or unleaded fuel?
Many thanks.

[kvalidir]

If it's that old it will be leaded, unless someone has done something very clever since, just buy an additive and add it to your tank when you fill up.

[Buenchico]

Unleaded petrol didn't go on sale in the UK until June 1986 so, unless the engine has been modified (or replaced), it would appear to need leaded fuel (or, more easily these days, a VSR additive).

If in doubt, the AA website suggests that no immediate damage will be done by first giving it a try with unleaded petrol:
https://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/fuels-environment/lrp

[Old_Geezer]

Try it, see if it pinks.

[Quoi]

ooooh come on 711 what is it?
I have a 1969 bedford ca va and a couple of 1980's austin maxi's

[tonyav]

I take it that you have recently bought this car, 711, otherwise you would know what you have been running it on. If this is the case ( recently bought ) then contact the person you bought it off and ask them what they have been running it on. If the cylinder head has been modified by having hardened valve seats fitted ( common modification on older cars to run on unleaded ) then all will be fine to run on unleaded.

[EDDIE51]

Surely Leaded Petrol is totally banned now? So it is an additive or getting the engine modified to run on UnLeaded .

[Buenchico]

Edddie:
There are about a dozen garages in the UK that hold licences to sell leaded fuel. They're listed here:
http://www.fbhvc.co.uk/legislation-and-fuels/fuel-information/?site=fbhvc.co.uk#anchor3
(Scroll down a bit)

[711]

Thanks folks for your comments. I bought the vehicle from a dealer who had it only days before I came along, so he`s not sure. Our nearest classic car dealer says the only certain way would involve removing the cylinder head - a little expensive! However, he suggests adding Miller`s VSPe to unleaded fuel which should prevent any serious problems, given a very low mileage.
By the way Quoi, it`s a Triumph Spitfire.

[Peter Pedant]

oops joke alert
I am obv gonna have a REALLY bad sight day
as I read this is as - - - Leader or unleaded ?

and thought oh heavens - our leader has had a drinkie at the Mill in Salisbury and been POISONED.....
( yeah how did they tell ? - she's pinking ) - surely someone TOLD her .....

yerah sozza - gets coat

[Peter Pedant]

blimey - triumph spitfire
you must have kept it in a garage - they rusted .....

and in duh great freeze up 1963
wasnt it a triumph spitfire that was driven up the frozen canal ?

[aelmpvw]

//triumph spitfire ...you must have kept it in a garage - they rusted//
thanks for the info pp, where were you when i bought mine in 1972?