Unleaded and Maestro running

[rocknrollcyberboy]

HI all:)
I've just bought a maestro 1.3L with the a series engine,its seems a great little car,having had a montego countryman pior and also several leyland cars including a j4 van,truimphs,and rovers 820s,im very much a leyland guy,ive just replaced the usaul parts for serivce ie plugs,air filter,leads but would very much like alittle help regrds the situation on unleaded fuel in the a series.At the moment im trying when possible to use lrp but have had to use super unleaded 97 with that additive from halfords.
The cars running on however and im not sure if it is this or because it juts need timing/tuning..im also wondering what long term damage it will do to the valves and if anyone has any ideas if the super unleaded with combination of additive would stop the wear and tear of the valves...it does sound alittle tappety so may need adjustment but any advice is apprecited and i for one really like the maestro..saying that i owned a austin 1300 simlar to basil fawty sketch:)it used to also conk out regauarly even doing so once on plymouth bridge!But like th maestro a good british car!
Anyway best to all an d if you also get chance im asinger/songwriter http://www.shawnharvey.com
so might be at one of your events hopefully singing:) :cool:

[macwomble]

A Friday night and no gig... so what gives lol.

Just checked out your web site going/music, good work! Interesting sound, rock in roll meets dance.. bet it goes down well.

If you are going to play for us can you bring along the Strip kittens.. lol.

Sorry, I cannot supply you a answer re unleaded in A series. But I'm sure someone will be along soon to help..

Welcome to maestro ownership, no sure it fits the image tho.. you need a big fast american pontiac or something...


Best Wishes,
Graham

[Ricky]

It's all to do with year and engine number etc., I couldn't actually tell you where the changeover took place but it did happen, so i'm told!

I'm sure someone else will be along here soon to tell you when.....

Ricky.

[Austin-Rover]

If you tell us the year your car was made, we can give you an answer as to if it is Unleaded of not. Someone on here will more than likely know the exact point the changeover took place too.

:)

[rocknrollcyberboy]

:cool:
Well thanks all for your replies...its an "e" reg and the handbook says four star...so im geussing myself that g reg is probbaly unleaded...but any help in the meantime would be great..
;)
glad you liked the songs graham...i'll bring along the girls form the show!
I do have one other car and its caddy 79...if get you get chance theres a pic on my wepage...anyway look forward to seeing you all at a rally
Till then take care and hope someone has an idea..
So far ive found out i may need to change the head but still trying some other options...
Shawn :cool:

[H48HPE]

at E reg its almost definitely 4 star leaded, unless the head has been changed in the past.

if I were you I would carry on using the aditives/lrp, until you need to take the head off for some reason, when you do, swap it for an unleaded head.

Andy

[rocknrollcyberboy]

:cool:
Hi Andy..
Thanks for the help:)...i thought that may be best and in the meantime i'll look for an unleaded head for the future...when ive time ill post a little ole pic of the car..and am at the moment working on little bits here and there...but it should shortly have some ad for my music on it...so a novelty there:)
Very best to all of you and keep rockin and rollin!
Shawn :cool:

[E_T_V]

if you do a forum search on unleaded there will be anumber of useful posts turned up. There is a source of unleaded NEW a series complete engines for around 100 quid including everything but the alternator I think.
Also unleaded heads should be fairly easy to come by and are an easy change..

A series always sound tappety even when set correctly so don't worry too much about that. The running on is usually due to mixture/idle/tming settings not being quite spot on, even when they are exactly right sometimes when hot they'll run on a little, I find applying the brake as I switch off the engine helps.

Personally I'd alter the timing and run on standard unleaded plus a lead additive as it'll be cheaper and you'll get just as much protection.