Leaded or unleaded gas

[57 Silver Hawk]

Does it matter what you put in a Studebaker?

Filled up today and the owner (I think he was a the owner) asked what year is your car. I said a '57 Silver Hawk and hes like here take some lead additive. So he walked over and dumped almost the whole bottle in the car.

Now, I thought you didn't need leaded gas. I have never bought that for the Hawk before. I am not sure if my Hawk have hardened valve seats or not.

Thanks, Steven

[JGK 940]

Last time we discussed this topic was here, IIRC: http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.c...s=unleaded+gas

Short version: If you drive like you love it instead of like you stole it, you will probably do just fine on unleaded regular without any additives (your results may vary / void where prohibited by law / but don't say I told you so / etc.). I'm sure there has been at least one Studebaker driver who's suffered valve burn or valve seat recession in a properly-maintained and sensibly-driven stock engine and can prove the damage was due to the lack of lead in modern fuel, but I've never met or heard from him or her.

I sure hope that pump jockey didn't charge you for the bottle of serpent squeezin's it sounds like he fed to your Hawk without your permission.

Keoni Dibelka / HiloFoto
In Hawai'i; on Hawai'i; on the Windward Side
If da salt air never chew 'em up bumbye da lava will...

[rockne10]

I know folks who have been running their President straight eights on unleaded for years with no problem.

The jury's still out on this ethynol carp.