Those of you who have been on this forum for a long time know I have been suggesting the use of the YF for a long time.
There are currently THREE major issues with the YF:
(1) trying to use the wrong YF
(2) trying to use parts house rebuilding kits which have the large orifice "Ford" fuel valve.
(3) "deathanol" fuel. With the currently available diaphragms, once the diaphragm material has been submersed in the ethanol laced fuel AND THEN ALLOWED TO DRY, the diaphragm material will over time turn hard, and then crack. This leads to premature diaphragm failure on vehicles which are driven rarely. The solution seems to be dry the vehicle daily, which tends to prevent the fuel from evaporating from the bowl. If the diaphragm stays wet, its life is prolonged (by years!).
So why don't we change material??? I have posed that question to several manufacturers. Occasionally, I get the "cop-out" that "neopreme is approved by the government as usable with ethanol" (this is a true statement). However, the more caring manufacturers have at least helped explain the problem. There is no neopreme (I don't care what color...black, red, pink, blue, dark blue, etc., etc., etc.) that is compatible with ethanol. A material that IS COMPATIBLE is Buna N with fiberglass reinforcement (a material that is not readily available in the correct thickness, and would require different "steam dies" to form). Unfortunately, there is insufficient demand to invest in the superior product.
So if you use the YF (and I still think it is a great carburetor) make arrangements to drive your vehicle more often. (And be careful with issues 1 and 2 also).
Jon.
