Podell's Max Lead additive

[John Nuzzo]

Would like to get thoughts on Podell's Max Lead. I just tried some in my '62 FI car and really noticed a positive difference. It could be psychological! Any thoughts greatly appreciated. THANKS, John N.

[John H.]

Re: Podell's Max Lead additive

It's mostly kerosene.

[Steven B.]

Re: Podell's Max Lead additive

I use it in my '58 290 FI and I couldn't run even premium without it running rough. Use half a bottle per full tank and the engine smooths right out. Not sure whether kerosene, as John Hinckley say, is good or bad for the car, but it certainly makes it run smoothly. Just had the engine rebuilt along with the FI system, so I don't know if I'll need it again, but will see once the car is back on the road.

[John Nuzzo]

Re: Podell's Max Lead additive

Steve, I just finished rebuilding my engine and thought I would treat it a little better than I have over the past 45 yrs. I have tried Octane boosters in combination with liquid lead; they worked but often would cause vapor lock on very hot days. Needless to say, my car is running much better than ever because of the head work; new rings and bearings; etc etc. It's hard to say that the Max Lead did much, but if it cures vapor lock and allows me to keep my timing at factory specs AND provides the lead I need.....what more could you ask for. Like you, I have no idea what "kerosene" means relative to "good-bad-indifferent" perhaps we'll get more insights from additional comments (?).

[Clem Z.]

google kemco oil & chemicals

for the stuff i bet podell uses

[Duke W.]

Re: Podell's Max Lead additive

Kerosene is essentially the same as #2 diesel.

Duke

[John Nuzzo]

Re: google kemco oil & chemicals

Clem, thanks.......this does indeed look exactly like Podel's formula....I will go home and compare the ingredients. The price per case is about $13 less and these guys advertize free shipping (not sure if Jack ships for free)....THANKS,

John N.

[Jim D.]

Re: google kemco oil & chemicals

Kerosene or whatever, does this stuff work? If so, I'm gonna get some.

[Duke W.]

Re: google kemco oil & chemicals

Kerosene has an octane rating of about 50! The site claims 60 grams of TEL per GALLON, so one quart means you end up with a little less than 1 gram per gallon TEL per gallon. I'm suspicious. TEL concentration is usually specified at cc/gallon, but this is sometimes expressed as the amount of Pb in grams/gal, so you have to strip out the weight of the ethylene complexes.

I think you're better off blending in some 100LL avgas if your engine detonates. If it doesn't you don't need to add anything.

Duke

[Bill S.]

Re: google kemco oil & chemicals

I swear by the product --- my L-79 loves 8 oz. per 10 gallons of premium gas.
Never had a better running motor




Corvette Hacks

[Duke W.]

Re: google kemco oil & chemicals

Does it still have the OE compression ratio?

Duke

[John Nuzzo]

Re: google kemco oil & chemicals

My engine seems to love it as well Bill, and saves me mixing octane boost + lead additive. I'm still running 11.25:1 pistons and keep my timing at the factory recommended 10 degree advance on the timing chain cover (that's been the limit of my technical capacity re: timing). Guess I'll order a case from Kemco and save some money as well.......Thanks for the tip re Kemco (Clem?).

[Joel Falk]

Re: google kemco oil & chemicals

I believe the Kemco product (Octane Supreme 130) is suspended in toluene instead of kerosine. Toluene has a relatively high octane, especially compared to kerosine.

I am not sure of the Max Lead 2000 that Jack Podell sells (these are different productsn with a similar function and claim).

I do not believe either product will address vapor lock/percolation issues.

[John Nuzzo]

Re: google kemco oil & chemicals

Thanks for the info Joel..........John N