Got ourselves a 40's Dodge T116 engine in an old aircraft tug we use every day, and i want to find a link for parts and some advice on how to take care of it. Do engines like these need lead in the oil? Leaded fuel? I can get all of that but its the FYI that i need lol. I hopefully managed to attach some pictures of this beast. Trying to fix up an air filter for it, and change the plugs. Good luck to me lol. Thanks for looking. Mark.

 

Lead in gasoline act's as a lubricant for the valves. It hasn't been around since the 80's in pump gas. So you need to have hardened valve seats put it. If not the valve will wear into the block(in your case(flat head)).

 

Edit: we run 100LL in it so yes it gets leaded gasoline. Any ideas where i can find spares for it?

 

Those engines also came in dodge trucks of the era, so, parts are still available at some of the larger online parts stores. I would have a chat with your local parts store, and see if their catalogs go back that far.