leaded gas?

I recently picked up an 1970 MGB GT from an auction. There was no history or prior owner information that came with the car. I am trying to figure out whether the car burns leaded or unleaded gas. Looking over the engine there are no obvious signs that the engine was rebuilt. I dropped the tank over the weekend to clean it up and smelling the gas it smells similar to my leaded race gas I burn in another car. I didn't know if there was an obvious way to tell whether the car burns leaded gas or not without tearing off the head and checking the valve seats.

Thanks
Neil

IMHO...

Just use what you can get at the usual stations. If and when you do a valve job have them put in hardened exhaust seats. Until then though I wouldn't worry about it.

Jack

I second that.

Thirded. Don't worry about it unless or until you have a problem....

Why not add lead; if not needed will not hurt.

I use a lead substitute. I forgot what it's called, but I get it at Wal-Mart. A little goes a long way(treats 160 gallons)!

peace, Kyle

from wikpedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasoline#Lead
In the U.S., where lead was blended with gasoline (primarily to boost octane levels) since the early 1920s, standards to phase out leaded gasoline were first implemented in 1973. In 1995, leaded fuel accounted for only 0.6 % of total gasoline sales and less than 2,000 tons of lead per year. From January 1, 1996, the Clean Air Act banned the sale of leaded fuel for use in on-road vehicles. Possession and use of leaded gasoline in a regular on-road vehicle now carries a maximum $10,000 fine in the United States. However, fuel containing lead may continue to be sold for off-road uses, including aircraft, racing cars, farm equipment, and marine engines until 2008 [citation needed]. The ban on leaded gasoline led to thousands of tons of lead not being released in the air by automobiles. Similar bans in other countries have resulted in lowering levels of lead in people's bloodstreams.[9] [10].

Thanks guys for your responses. I am planning on doing a rebuild anyways in the next year or two so I will keep an ear out for any problems while burning unleaded.

If the car has never had any head changes the it is a lead head. I would just run the car till the exaust valves start to recess into their seats.
Then pull the head have it tested for cracks. If it is good have the head rebuilt with hardened valve seats.
My 1971 B was ran on unleaded for more than 25,000 miles before the valve seats were an issue.

when leaded gas was first banned everyone panicked about what unleaded would do to the valve seats. it turns out everyone over reacted. unless you plan on driving for extended periods of time at high revs just wait til you need to have the head off to put in new seats.

Drive it and enjoy! The leaded/unleaded debate does tend to get overblown.

I have a good friend how has a cool '57 Chevy he has rebuilt and customized, and he has built many engines. His motor still has the same factory seats in it, and he has lots of miles, and he likes to put his foot down....AND on long highway drives. Convinced me to not even worry about it!