AFT in old Ford tractor

[Countrybumpkin]

Old neighbor of mine seen I had an old 2N Ford, and said that when he had his, he would add a little tranny fluid to the gas, because when the tractors were made, they were to use leaded gas, thus the valves were softer. Now, with unleaded, he claims, the valves will go to pot if one doesn't add lead substitute. He stated he always added a little tranny fluid to the gas, thus helping the valve wear. Anyone heard of this? I never have!

[moopups]

Putting ATF into diesel fuel has been a long time act concerning diesel engines, it lubricates the injectors. The gas engine tractor could also benefit from this same action, though it is not within my knowledge concerning the metal make up of the valves.

[farminghandyman]

Leaded gas left a coating on the valves seats protecting the valve and the seat, the unleaded valve seats are a hardened steel there a seat inserts instead of the cast iron of the head or block.
Propane is hard on the old motors as well, as it has no lead in it either,

good read below, from Chevron.
http://www.chevron.com/products/prod...etin/unld-gas/

[Up North]

My father routinely put 1/2 quart of straight 30W engine oil in tank when he filled gas tank on our old IH 656 gas tractor, for this very reason. He was a college chemistry professor so I have to assume he did this for a valid reason.

[Sand Flat Bob]

What year is your 2N ford? I am not familiar with the old fords. Before WWII, there wasn't any leaded gasoline. It was the later models when the engine builders cheapened the valve train on the engines to take advantage of the lead in the fuel, which allowed running a higher compression ratio. My Father ran a F30 and W9 for thousands of hours on unleaded gasoline during the 1930's and 40's. He was farming around 3,000 acres. Took lots of hours with those tractors.

Bob

[WisJim]

I researched this extensively before I got my 9N Ford back in 1990 or so. I add nothing to the gas, it used unleaded for a long time before I got it, and the valves are fine. I disassembled the engine after I had it awhile and put in new bearings and sleeves, etc., actually did a major overhaul, because it had developed a head gasket leak, or so I thought. I wouldn't worry about adding anything to unleaded gas.

A 9N Ford was 1939 to 1941, a 2N was a war years tractor 1942 to 1947, and 8N started in 1948. The number in the model number was the last digit of the year they were introduced.

[Countrybumpkin]

Thanks for the replies! My tractor is a '45...still running strong! Put some tranny fluid in the tank today before I filled it, and didn't notice a darn bit of difference...no smoke, etc. The old neighbor of mine swears by it, however, so I guess I'll add some if the notion hits me, if not, straight gas for the ol' girl!