Virgin on his way to le mans 2006

[GOLDFINGER]

Hi all
Getting all excited already, but could do with a little help with the fuel situation traveling through from calais, i hope to bring my 1981 280 SL merc with me that has been on 4 star and LRP since new, am i likley to find the right juice on route.
Bye the way will be staying in BSJ with BRICK & DORIS

See you all there

Goldfinger

[Steve Pyro]

There's little chance of LRP, let alone 4 star in France.  Your best alternative would be to use super unleaded (97 octane) with your own additive.

[GOLDFINGER]

Better get some lead in my pencil!

Thanks Steve

[garystout]

Your going to need to get the top end done for unleaded, wherever you go im sorry to say 

[Bobblehat]

Welcome Goldfinger! Wont be out at LM this year you will have a great time!

BTW how did the gold champagne cork look?

[Ruscool]

@ Goldfinger, you might contact ACO or the ciruit at LeMans, the classics race held there surely use 4 star.

Also may be worth trying a classic car group in FR as they may be of assistance.

Rus

[geoffd]

I use super unleaded (if available, or normal unleaded otherwise) and Castrol Valvemaster Plus, which gives the right level of protection (ooohhh errr missus..) and some octane boost.

And if you buy Valvemaster online from http://www.mgocaccessories.co.uk/acatalog/MGOC_Accessories__Fuel_Additive_177.html The you can get 6 for the price of 5, or 12 for the price of 10.

[BigH]

Mr Goldfinger,
I'm intrigued by your post. I'm not a Merc expert by any means but I'd swear my b*llocks are cauliflowers if you don't have hardened valve seats in a 1981 car - my car is 20 years older than that, and hardened seats were standard even then. If that's the case then all you need to do is take it along to a rolling road and get a nice man to reset the timing for you, you will then be able to run it on standard fuel. If you want to wear a belt and braces then you could also put an additive in with the fuel as well, as has been suggested (my personal choice is Millers) and get a nice octane boost, but it wouldn't really be necessary and it can get expensive.
H

[GOLDFINGER]

Your going to need to get the top end done for unleaded, wherever you go im sorry to say 

Had the head done last year, so hope it is ok, not realy used the car for any long runs, although i will have my top merchanic with me who works for the cops inspecting all the accidents etc so hopfully he will bring a bag of lead with him!

[GOLDFINGER]

Mr Goldfinger,
I'm intrigued by your post. I'm not a Merc expert by any means but I'd swear my b*llocks are cauliflowers if you don't have hardened valve seats in a 1981 car - my car is 20 years older than that, and hardened seats were standard even then. If that's the case then all you need to do is take it along to a rolling road and get a nice man to reset the timing for you, you will then be able to run it on standard fuel. If you want to wear a belt and braces then you could also put an additive in with the fuel as well, as has been suggested (my personal choice is Millers) and get a nice octane boost, but it wouldn't really be necessary and it can get expensive.
H

Millars sounds good but i'm not sure about the braces,thanks for your info, i shall give it a go, what car are you driving?

[GOLDFINGER]

Welcome Goldfinger! Wont be out at LM this year you will have a great time!

BTW how did the gold champagne cork look?

Sorry to hear that you and burger wont be attending, cork was corking but heavy! must show you the silver one , poss at silverstone?

[GOLDFINGER]

@ Goldfinger, you might contact ACO or the ciruit at LeMans, the classics race held there surely use 4 star.

Also may be worth trying a classic car group in FR as they may be of assistance.

Rus

Rus

Thanks for your help

Will speak to ACO
Regards

[Lawnmower Man]

Look forward to meeting you there Goldfinger. 

[GOLDFINGER]

Hi Lawnmower man
Steve (brick) has best admiration for your position, not that he would swap!
Look forward to meeting all of you at LM.

[Lazy B'stard]

Hi Goldfinger.
Your Merc will run no probs on unleaded, Merc heads are fine with the stuff, my '63 Fintail has run on Unleaded for years with no problems. Remember the yanks (SLs biggest market) have been on Unleaded for years and have had no probs.

Regards
Sconefinger