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Jul 21st, 2025 | | | | Joined: Jun 2023 Posts: 22 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2023 Posts: 22 | Greetings,
Presently I am looking to replace my Rochester carb on my 1st series '55 3100 (235 engine). The truck is a daily driver. It seems a popular choice for a replacement is the Carter YF 2100s. My only concern with it is reports of incompatibility with ethanol, as in my neck of the woods liquefied corn is all that is typically available. How concerned ought I be, and is there a better choice of carburetor for those of us blessed with ethanol?
-Curtis | | | | | Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 4,392 Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT | | Gearhead, Stovebolt Tech and Parts Tracker, Mod for Swap Meet and GTT Joined: Sep 2009 Posts: 4,392 | Moved to the Engine Shop as the best place to continue the conversation.  Dan
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100Follow this story in the DITY Gallery"My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine"1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2023 Posts: 22 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2023 Posts: 22 | Thanks! Sorry for my mis-posting | | | | | Joined: Oct 2021 Posts: 5,684 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2021 Posts: 5,684 | I have never owned a modern vehicle (cars built after 1972 and trucks built after 1979). All of my vehicles have carburetors and use ethanol fuel. Around here there isn't a convenient place to buy ethanol-free fuel.
The only problem associated with ethanol that I have experienced with any of my vehicles is when the Feds mandated ethanol fuel in the metro-Atlanta area in 2007 or so.
Within 2 months of ethanol's introduction to the fuel supply, the original fuel pump in my 1956 Cadillac failed. The ethanol had swelled the diaphragm to the point wher it would only pump half the requisite amount of fuel.
Modern pumps and rebuild kits are made with ethanol resistant parts. I have never had an ethanol related problem since.
Having said that, it is extremely important that you actually drive your vehicle if you purchase ethanol fuel. If it sits around in the tank for months and months, it will gum up the fuel lines and gum up your carb.
I rebuilt my Carter YF for the AD truck a couple years or so ago and have over 4000 trouble free miles of driving exclusively on ethanol fuel E-10.
1950 Chevrolet 3100 (Ol' Roy)
1939 Packard Standard Eight Coupe (The Phantom) | 1956 Cadillac Coupe de Ville (The Bismarck) | 1956 Cadillac Sixty Special Fleetwood (The Godfather) | 1966 Oldsmobile Toronado (The Purple Knif) | 1966 Ford Mustang (Little Red) | 1964 Ford Galaxie 500 coupe | 1979 Ford F-100 | 1976 Ford F-150 (Big Red) | 1995 Ford F-150 (Newt)
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2023 Posts: 22 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2023 Posts: 22 | Thank you very much for your thoughtful reply, makes good sense.
-Curtis | | | | | Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 4,208 Moderator, Electrical Bay | | Moderator, Electrical Bay Joined: Mar 2014 Posts: 4,208 | We have that here in Dallas...it is all we can get unless one drives out about 40 miles to a suburb. Since I started adding a product called Sta-Bil 360, I haven't had any problems at all. I use an electric fuel pump but I have a Carter YF carburetor. I also add it to my lawn mower gasoline since the maker suggests using such an additive.
~ Jon
1952 1/2 ton with 1959 235 | T5 with 3.07 rear end
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,060 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 1,060 | What they said! I had the ethanol problem of eating the diaphragm. I put in real gas and the engine started running like new. These trucks deteriorate if not run. I am also a fan of Sea-Foam for a periodic cleanse. On the truck that is.
1946 1-ton Panel
1952 1-ton Comml. W/Grain Body
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 2,715 Carburetion specialist | | Carburetion specialist Joined: Nov 2002 Posts: 2,715 | The only short-term issue of the YF with ethanol was the accelerator pump diaphragm. There is now a diaphragm made from a chemical I cannot pernounce, let alone spell, that is supposedly ethanol friendly. We offer this diaphragm for those forced to buy ethanol-diluted fuel as well as the original style for those who can buy real gasoline, in our rebuilding kits. Like ALL zinc alloy and aluminum based carburetors, long term (30 years or so) issues include pitting in the bottom of the fuel bowl. If you plan to drive your vehicle for 30 more years, buy a spare carburetor while you are still available. 30 years is a long time! Jon
Good carburetion is fuelish hot airThe most expensive carburetor is the wrong one you attempt to modify. If you truly believe "one size fits all," try walking a mile in your spouse's shoes!The Carburetor Shop | | |
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