253 engine

[KGG86]

hey guys i have a 253 red motor in my bedford... somebody was telling me the other day that i will need to change a few engine parts in order to make my van run on unleaded fuel is this true ... and if so whats the best way to convert this

[Numnutz]

I run premium unleaded in mine and it runs fine, just get the fuel with the highest octane.

[Bas / NZ]

One of my vans I had with 253 ran unleaded but did run a Flash Lube system ( valve-saver lubrication system) simple effective cheap set up, If you want can upload a photo of the system. Available in Australia at Flashlube Crn. of Roden and Adderley Streets West Melborne  Ph. 03 9329 8200

[hotrod]

One of my vans I had with 253 ran unleaded but did run a Flash Lube system ( valve-saver lubrication system) simple effective cheap set up, If you want can upload a photo of the system. Available in Australia at Flashlube Crn. of Roden and Adderley Streets West Melborne  Ph. 03 9329 8200

or you can just pour the lube into gas tank every time you fill up

[Bas / NZ]

One of my vans I had with 253 ran unleaded but did run a Flash Lube system ( valve-saver lubrication system) simple effective cheap set up, If you want can upload a photo of the system. Available in Australia at Flashlube Crn. of Roden and Adderley Streets West Melborne  Ph. 03 9329 8200

or you can just pour the lube into gas tank every time you fill up

This way much cheaper, a 500ml  used to do around 3000 ks at $6.00 a bottle or a 10 litre at $55.00, feeds itself and is fully ajustable to how much you use

[willo]

The fundamental problem about running old motors on unleaded is primarily the valves and valve seats wear due to lack of lubrication.  It is the same as running your motor on gas.  The lubricating properties that the lead additive provided are no longer there in unleaded or LPG.  We could also get into a debate over correct ignition timing and distributor advance curves to eliminate pinging but I regard that as minimal in the grand scheme of things.  If you run an old motor on 91 it will usually ping unless you have adjusted the distributor.  If you run an old motor on 98 the problem is reduced or eliminated in most cases.  If you run your motor on E10 then it will ping more and probably run hotter and poorer performance.  All these can be overcome or reduced to some extent by user choice or adjustment.  Valve train damage is not as easy to overcome.

Consequently, I reckon that if you run your old motor on unleaded at all or LPG you should have the valve seats replaced in your head/s to hardened ones that will handle the fuel.  However, as mentioned in the above posts, this damage can also be eliminated or minimised by using fuel additives that substitute for lead in the fuel and lubricate your valvetrain.  Because of the ongoing costs of purchasing some of these additives each time I fill up I prefer to get the valve seats done instead of using them.  Individual choice as there are no right or wrong answers just different ways of solving a problem.

I have also seen blokes who add a small amount of auto oil to each tankful instead of the commercial additives and they seem to be happy with this solution as well.  Not sure of the precise mix but as we don't have catalytic convertors the oil additives are not an issue.  (Oil and Cat convertors  are not a good mix as the Cat does not cope well).  Don't turn it into a 2 stroke though

Hope this helps

Neil

[Jason 253 CF]

Agree with everything you said there willo. My 253 got a rebuild before it was bolted in so I had the heads machined and hardened valves and seat installed so the motor would take 91 with no issue and also run gas. Never had a problem with it no pinging but like willo said comes down to personal choice, if you can be bothered with additives then go for it but the other option it run bp ultimate like I did on my 307 chev which was a super fuel engine and ran like a dream.

[ben]

or you could just run it till a valve burns out then get the valves setup for what you need.

[Bas / NZ]

I ran my 253 for six years with the Flash lube system, when I sold the van to a mate he wasen't happy with the standard 253 and wanted to work it, when the head was pulled off  all valves, seats etc were in perfect condition still, unless you want to spent big money go with this system, I also run it on the 202 holden in my camper

[rossie]

I worked at the local Golden Fleece servo back in the seventy's, they sold this upper cylinder lube which is realy the same. It is good shit, and great for decarbon the valves with out taking the heads off. Just poor it straight down the throat of the carby and keep the revs up so it don't stall. Good to piss off the ass holes next door when their washing is on the line.