364 Nailhead engine- should I use a lead additive in the fuel?

**joe61** · 10-12-2010, 04:08 PM

Hi everyone,

I have a 1961 Lesabre with the original 364 Nailhead that I just recently purchased...
it is in excellent condition with 57,000 original miles.

I am wondering if it is necessary or ideal to use a lead additive when fueling up the vehicle?

If so, does anyone have any recommended products that they may have used and found that worked well ?
(quantity and frequency of additive that you recommend adding as well.... like every fill up, or every second fill up etc )...

any help is greatly appreciated!!

**series40special** · 11-23-2010, 04:07 PM

I have heard many different things about the subject...but I ALWAYS use lead additive in my 364 ('57) mainly because I have heard more bad about not using it than using it. I use concentrate from Advance Auto parts, mainly because I use double the amount when filling up. Heard from alot of rodders that this helps to combat the use of E10 Ethanol crap that we have to use here in Jersey. Hope this helps!

P.S.-just once treat yourself to tank of low grade aviation fuel (100-103 octane leaded) if you can find it, my engine loves it!

**theoldguy** · 11-23-2010, 06:54 PM

Denny Manner who retired as Chief engine engineer for Buiick is a good friend of mine and I posed the same question to him back when there were many questions about this. He told me that stock Buick engines only needed an additive if they were put under heavy load and high RPM I towed a 17 foot Airstream all over the country in the 70s and 80s with my 57 Caballero, and one winter took off a head to see if there was any seat erosion. I put the head back on as there was NO sign of a problem.
I don't believe an additive is necessary, but that is up to the individual.

I have put over 100,000 miles on the engine in my 40 and it has NEVER had any additives.

**joe61** · 11-24-2010, 07:50 AM

Thank you to both 'theoldguy' and 'series40special' in your replies, I genuinely appreciate you both taking the time in replying... I value both of your replies.

It's great we can all help one another out!
Best wishes and thank you!