Just picked up a 1960 Evinrude 40hp.....does it need lead additive?

[Gas Giant]

I just got a 1960 Evinrude 40hp, because it was attached to the 1960 Orlando Clipper I just got. Super cool boat and motor!

However, I heard from the seller that I should run lead additive in the gas...but a google search has gotten me mixed results......do I need to add a lead additive to the gas for an outboard this old? I'm in the process of replacing the starter solenoid, and probably going to crank the ol gal up soon. (It turns over by hand if you turn the flywheel).

Anyway, any advice is appreciated. I don't want to damage it before I ever get to use it!

 

[JB]

Re: Just picked up a 1960 Evinrude 40hp.....does it need lead additive?

Lead was the enemy of outboards even back then, GG. Do not add lead.

Mix your fuel at 24:1, TC-W3 outboard oil and 87 octane unleaded gas.

 

[Gas Giant]

Re: Just picked up a 1960 Evinrude 40hp.....does it need lead additive?

Ahh, good thing I checked. Thanks for the info!

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Just picked up a 1960 Evinrude 40hp.....does it need lead additive?

What JB said. Two-strokes never needed lead, and they even sold unleaded "white gas" for outboards, two-stroke motorcycles, chain saws. etc.

 

[boobie]

Lead was used to protect the the valve seats on 4 stroke auto mtrs. Since leaded gas is NLA they have changed the material in the valves and seats.

 

[daydreamer152]

Re: Just picked up a 1960 Evinrude 40hp.....does it need lead additive?

Actually, the lead was a cheap way to raise the octane of the fuel and high test or Ethyl was the premium in those days and had even more of the lead additive than regular. The lead additive was tetraeythl lead and hence the name Eythl for the grade of gas. Yes it turned out that it also protected the valve seats and that was an issue in the early days of no-lead fuels....

In the days of old White Gas was searched for and was used by many whenever it was available.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tetraethyllead

 

[1946Zephyr]

Re: Just picked up a 1960 Evinrude 40hp.....does it need lead additive?

Lead is only an additive, if you want it to land safely on the bottom of the lake.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Just picked up a 1960 Evinrude 40hp.....does it need lead additive?

No, you don't need to add lead. As has been stated, lead was added to gasoline primarily as an octane booster, but the information about lubricating valve seats and valve guides, is also true. When unleaded gasolines became the norm, some folks who were running older automotive engines had issues and that's were your misunderstanding probably comes from.

Since 2 cycle engines don't have valves, the lead issue is not applicable.

Also, if your engine has needle bearings at the crank, you can probably run a 50:1 fuel/oil ratio. I did so for hundreds of hours on a pair of 1958 Evinrude Bigtwins, with no ill effects. I did run nothing but Pennzoil semi-synthetic, two stroke oil, however.