E85 addatives or top lube?

[bmodracer]

Are there any addatives that you reccomend for use with E85? The class I run in only allows stock OEM cast iron heads. The heads prefered of course are older ones that do not have hardened seats. We have had trouble with press-in hardedned seats. With a 2bbl motor, the heat generated from the exhaust tends to loosen the press-in hardened seats and there goes the whole motor when that happens. I have been running leaded race fuel with stock seats to avoid this. Will E85 eat away at my non-hardened seats? If so is there an addative i can use to prevent this from happening? Knowing that leaded gas does not mix with E85, will a lead subsitute work in its place? How about an alcohol top lube also?

Thanks!!!!!

[Heath Daniel]

Never had an issue such as the one you described, never even heard of anything like that with E85. I suppose it's possible. I know guys that run the smell good top lube like one would use with methanol with E85 and it seems to work fine. They don't need to, they just like the way it smells. We personally have never run anything other than E85 straight out of the pump from the corner station. Both our race cars have iron heads with stainless valves.

[bmodracer]

I guess my real question is, Is E85 similar to unleaded gas in the fact that over time it will damage non-hardened exhaust seats that are found in GM late 60's early 70's style cast iron cylinder heads?

Thanks!!!!!

[adamsvega]

the lack of lead will cause the long time damage you fear. there is no substitute for tel for octane or wear