I'm curious about rebuilding my 69 E-type head to handle unleaded gas

 

These are hardened valve seats, so much care is necessary. It is the kind of job an engine rebuild shop would normally do. Difficulty is likely to be in inserting the new seats, not taking out the old ones.

As I recall, they are normally machined out, and the head heated before inserting the new ones on an interference fit basis.

Both the V12 and XK engines should have the hardened valve seats from about 1967-1968 onwards so will handle unleaded fuel already.

 

If you are considering doing this seat job yourself, you are playing with fire ! This should normally be done by a qualified automotive machine shop familiar with aluminum heads. The 12's were bad about overheating and dropping the seats, causing untold damage, so there could be others that are nearly ready to drop. Let an expert that you can trust handle this one, you might get in over your head very quickly ! (no disrespect intended) This is all done with interference fitting, and unless you are familiar with it all, you may just build yourself a bomb ! Check the condition of the pistons and cylinder walls for galling or other damage as best you can as well. If the head warps badly enough it can also affect the align bore of the cams. Good luck

 

Just to confirm; I can use straight unleaded fuel in my '70 XKE without issue ?

 

Is this a feeling or is there some documentation that backs this up?