1. The 8:1 engine is identified by a square boss cast on top of the head between the rocker cover and the carburetter. If it has an 8 stamped on it, it is 8:1. If it is blank or has a 7, it is 7:1, unless the head has been planed without it being changed. Early 7:1 heads did not have the boss, and these heads cannot be safely raised to 8:1, as there is a risk of grinding into the waterways.
2. The 2.25 engine has cast iron valve seats, and although hardened seats are recommended for use with unleaded, it is worth noting that this engine was sold in Canada for a number of years when only unleaded was available, without any reports of problems. The consensus in the UK seems to be that fitting hardened seats is unnecessary unless you are doing sustained operation at close to full power, for example on freeways.
In any case I suggest doing what I do - run it on unleaded and watch for signs of valve clearances closing. I have been doing this since leaded petrol stopped being available, and have had no problems. I had the head off a couple of years ago, and there was no sign of valve seat recession or wear.
John
John
JDNSW
1986 110 County 3.9 diesel
1970 2a 109 2.25 petrol
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