The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk E-85

Anybody out there try E-85 in an older truck yet?
It's starting to become available in my area and is about 30 cents cheaper. In fact, we are supposed to be getting an ethanol plant in the next year. Just lookin for some input, thanks.

I'm thinking it would eat right through your neoprene/rubber and cork materials rather quickly. Even modern day cars need to be E-85 approved to use it.
Just my take on it,
Scott

Supposedly, an older car or truck can run E85 IF...you rejet the carb (if not, you'll be VERY lean indeed!), replace the rubber components in your fuel system with E85-friendly materials, adjust the mixture, and off you go!

Can't be too terribly different than running alcohol at the dragstrip.

in Brazil they use more 85 than gas ... but the engines are designed for it - available in N America too, but the mfgrs aren't pushing them yet cuz the fuel isn't common - story from Brazil on the news said the engines don't cost a cent more to produce - called flex fuel engines

problem with the stuff is the mileage is lots lower, so the lower price might not be much of an advantage

Bill

Here's a couple of sites that talk about the conversion- The First one says just what Patrick did- Rejet the carb, adjust the mixture, replace the rubber and you are on your way.

The second one says- its illegal for emission control reasons, which I don't think applies to pre 1974 vehicles.

http://www.mtea.net/Super%20Mileage/E85%20Conversion.pdf

http://www.ksgrains.com/ethanol/regconvert.html

"Is it possible to convert a vehicle that was designed for gasoline to operate on E85? Yes. However, there are no conversion or aftermarket parts that have been certified by the EPA as meeting the standards to maintain clean exhaust emissions. Technically speaking, converting a vehicle that was designed to operate on unleaded gasoline only to operate on another form of fuel is a violation of the federal law and the offender may be subject to significant penalties. No aftermarket conversion company has taken the initiative to certify an E85 kit that would allow a gasoline vehicle to operate on 85% ethanol."

I'd also pay attention to the gas tank. Alcohol will dissolve some gunk that gasoline does not, so you may break loose some old debris.

Second (and the linked page mentions it), advance your timing. E85 is going to have a higher octane rating, so you can gain back some of the lost mileage through adjusting the spark.

I think the new computer controlled engines will only lose about 3-5% in mileage on E85 vs. Gasoline.

For those intewrested, here's an article that talks about how ethanol used to be the fuel of choice, but Washington greed got rid of it in place of lead.

History of Ethanol & Lead in gas

My mileage isn't very good now anyway, so I'm not too concerned about that. I've already installed a new tank so that isn't an issue either. I also have the timing set 15 degrees advanced and have #54 jets in the Holleys that I'm running. When I have more availability of E-85 I think I'll try it. If I have no problems I'll post my results. Thanks for the input.

As far as rubber that needs to be replaced, I think it would just be the "tank to fuel line hose" unless you've got some other rubber hose in your fuel line.

From what I have read , it's a lot like running solvent. If it contacts any rubber thats not designed for it or any gunk it will wash it into Your fuel supply

Now that you mention it, I didn't think of the rubber seals, 0-ring and other stuff in the carbs.

That's real close to what I read. I read 5-7%. If e85 is 30% cheaper now and will get cheaper as more is available and you only lose a pittance in mileage I'm more than ready to convert my 2003 IF conversion kits are ever offered.

I would agree with others who have said to beware of dissolved solids/gunk getting in everything. Ethanol is a better solvent than gasoline. I've experienced some of that with my truck using carb cleaner and dewatering products like HEET in the gas. It loosens the dirt out of your tank....Rubber too needs to be alcohol friendly.

I'm looking at building my 292 to run E85. E85 has an octane rating of 105 plus. Unfortunately it doesn't have the same energy per gal. You need to increase your jet size about 27%. Everybody is correct it is a solvent and doesn't like some materials. There doesn't seem to be any solid data on just what it's going to dissolve. The best (?) suggestion is to place fuel line components in alcohol and see whick ones come out, it's in the links below.
Larry


Ethanol Links

http://running_on_alcohol.tripod.com/id26.html

http://p2library.nfesc.navy.mil/issues/emergemar2006/index.html

http://www.ethanol.org/

http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/aeo/assumption/pdf/petroleum.pdf