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I remember "leaded" gas but don't know if it was intentionally added or it was just a byproduct of the process making gasoline. Was it an octane booster, much like ethanol is today? I understand there are still many countries that sell leaded gas. What kind of emissions was it responsible for?
It was discovered by an engineer named Thomas Midgely, working for Dayton Engineering Laboratories (DELCO), that Tetra-Ethyl Lead was an excellent anti-knock compound, better and cheaper than alcohol, which was in common use at the time. In fact, Henry Ford, it is said, considered alcohol "The fuel of the future!" However, DELCO/General Motors, working with DuPont and Standard Oil pushed TEL as THE best anti knock additive for gasoline.
The result was lead poisoning on a massive scale, especially among children who lived alongside busy streets. Midgely himself suffered from lead poisoning, possibly exacerbated by washing his hands in leaded gas in front of a Congressional hearing, while testifying that leaded gas was perfectly safe.
Midgely had about 100 patents in his name, including the two most deadly chemicals in history (according to some people): TEL and CFCs (Freon)!
google "Thomas Midgely" and "tetraethyl lead" for more information.
Yes, it is known as "100LL"; 100 octane, Low Lead.
The purple stuff (115/145) has not been available for many years.
Quote:
Originally Posted by HappyRider
Is it a racing fuel or just used in old engines?
100LL is an aviation fuel, designed for use in aircraft engines that were designed to use that particular fuel. these days race fuel is one of a few, E85, used in nascar and indycar, methanol, used in alcohol funny cars and dragsters, nitromethane, used in top fuel dragsters and funny cars, and pump gasoline used in most other classes. there is also race fuel available for stuff like pro stock, but it is generally unleaded these days. i cant think of a race class that uses leaded fuel anymore.
Some people with older engines run a "lead additive" to keep their valves lubricated. I don't, but I have hardened seats installed on my engines that did not have them from the factory. Over time, the valve seats can recede because without lead to cushion them, the valve bangs against the seat .
Yes, it is known as "100LL"; 100 octane, Low Lead.
The purple stuff (115/145) has not been available for many years.
And it has a much longer shelf-life than regular gasoline.
So years after the apocalypse, when all the gasoline has degraded and you can't get any cars and trucks up and running, you'll still be able to go out to the local airport and grab a Cessna and fuel it up from one of the tanks and go for a spin.
Engines are still running leaded fuel...airplane engines
And some race car engines. Heck I can purchase leaded racing fuel in two locations in ID and there are a lot more across the USA. But it sure is not cheap!
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