Pv544 1961

I am thinking about buying a volvo PV544 1961 with a B18 engine. What is needed to change from leaded to unleaded petrol.

There are various additives that can be added with each tank of petrol to allow it to run on unleaded without harm. If you go down this route, I'd recommend using one of the FBHVC approved ones, as these have undergone independent testing. Places like Halfords stock them and the FBHVC logo is usually quite prominent on the packaging. I would definitely recommend avoiding stuff like the 'pellet' type that are put in the tank once, and anything that isn't FBHVC approved. If you want to convert the head permanently, I believe that Amazons suffer on unleaded more from wear to the valve guides than the actual valve seats, but a search in the older threads will pull up more info on that :)

I don't think you can discount the 'pellet' you put in the tank. Its name is Broquet. It was developed back in WW2 for the RAF on the Russian front, and is still in use in many marine and Naval engines. Many Amazon and PV owners have used it, including myself. There is no real hard proof for or against it and you cannot disprove what it did for the RAF engines. It will remain the subject of controvesy, but if it does work... Bob

Personally, I cant see the point of going to all the effort and expense of converting a head to unleaded when all you have to do is pour a little additive in when you get a fill up. Expecially when most people dont use their classics everyday, so you are not filling up that often. But, each to their own I guess.

Fuel additives etc 

I appreciate these posts on just this sort of information which is very useful for those of us who use our vehicles 24/7. Whilst I am not yet an owner of a classic Volvo, I am intending to buy either a PV444, a PV544 or else a 122S to both use as an everyday car and for use in Classic Trials/Rallies both here and in Europe. Talking of which, can anyone tell me of any potential difficulties or impending doom waiting for me? Regards, David 120