thinking about converting my 1986 chevy k10 to e85

[8swbk10]

im thinking about taking my 1986 chevy k10 and converting it to e85..right now its a gm goodwrench 5.7 350ci with a 4 barrel carb i want to know what it will take to convert it to e85.

what fuel system components do i have to change?

what do i have to change on the carburator or do i have to get a completely new one ?

and what do i have to do to the ignition ( bump up the timing or turn it down)

any help will be appreciated thanks.

[cjlinkster]

Why would you want to convert to e85???

It's about 30% less effiecent than running regular gas. Your gas mileage will probably drop like a rock.

If you wanted to do an engine conversion, consider dropping a diesel engine into it. That way your mileage would actually improve.

[8swbk10]

would it really drop? i guess i didnt do enough research then i guess ill stick to regular gas till i have enough for a diesel engine maybe a 90s 6.5 or even a duramax. thanks for telling me that you just saved me money!

[ProStreet83C10]

depends on what your doing.

im building a 496 stroker with 12:1-13:1 compression that will be run off E-85, but thats to allow that high of compression and itll be a 600+hp motor anyway, so fuel mileage isnt really in mind, which is why im adding 2 16 gal fuel cells to the bed.

[N2TRUX]

To give you an idea, my 09 Sierra average 17 mpg on regular unleaded. I ran it low then put a tank of E85 in it to compare, and ended up netting 12.5 mpg. Based on the calculated saving it was not worth the decrease in power to me.

[jdheff1982]

Before I bought my c10 I had a 2003 Ford Ranger w/ flex Fuel. I ran 1 tank of e85 and the truck drank it faster than regular gas. The fuel savings versus performance cancels each other out. Don't waste your time.

Also, the e85 will ruin your engine.

[8swbk10]

well im probably going to only be getting maybe 15mpg max with my truck so ill just stick with regular unleaded..only reason i consider it is because on long island new york regular gas ranges from $3.65/gallon - $3.95/gallon and the highest priced e85 ive seen was $2.65/gallon.. but if it burns quicker and wil; decrease MPG ill just stick with regular unleaded..thank you guys for the help

[motornut]

really it's that much cheaper
not up here.....getting gas later....i'll get pics
thought we just mixed it
i don't use it,
just reg gas,
but have noticed it now says "may contain 10% ethol"in reg gas

"Potential benefits of E85 are contested by some experts who point out that deriving gasoline from petroleum is a relatively inexpensive (i.e., more efficient) process, even including the transportation of oil and gasoline long distances. Large-scale production of ethanol may be cost-prohibitive; and may result in a net energy loss when taking into account all the energy required to make alcohol from starchy plants. Another drawback for E85 is that, in a liter-to-liter comparison, E85 has less energy content than conventional gasoline; 30% percent less energy for transportation by volume. On top of it extreme care should be taken before using E85 fuel in portable power generators, chain saws, lawn mower and other gas powered equipment. These tools are not generally designed to be used with a high content of ethanol and can go out of service quickly."

scary......from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E85
good to know

[jdheff1982]

Hell, with my 355, I saw maybe 10 MPG highway. Had 2 gallons left after running 180 miles 1 way.

[cjlinkster]

Just so that you guys don't get the wrong impression of me, I thought that i should quote my source:

Ethanol contains approx. 34% less energy per unit volume than gasoline

from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethanol_fuel

Here in the Atlanta metro, the gas stations charge $.10 less for the e85. So if regular is $3.50 the e85 would be $3.40 per gallon. They advertise the "clean burning" mantra with the e85. No where do the gas stations tell ya that it will hurt your mpg and eat up any rubber seals that are not e85 compatabile.

[Damien]

E85 will require you to use about 30% larger jets in the carb and will drop your mileage. You have to look at the mileage in terms of $/mile. Using N2TRUX's mpg numbers (17 mpg gas, 12.5 E85) and $3.65/gal for gas and $2.65/gal for E85 (from 8swbk10), The cost per mile is the same at $0.21/ mile. E85 likes higher compression ratios around 12-13:1. This will help with the fuel economy. The rubber hoses and seals in your fuel system should be changed or the rubber will breakdown and plug fuel filters and or leak. Most aftermarket parts are being made alcohol resistant due to many states requiring some percentage (10% in MN currently) of ethanol in regular gas.
E85 will also cause hard starting issues in cold weather, because ethanol is not as volatile as gas. E85 can vary in alcohol content from E70 to E85 depending on the time of year.
High percentages of ethanol are not recommended for use in small engines, especially two stroke, because it leans out the fuel mixture, potentially ruining the engine or just increasing the idle speed and overrunning the clutch in a chainsaw for example.

Sorry I don't have any sources to cite. I am about two months away from having my BS in Automotive Engineering Technology From MSU-Mankato. We do a lot of ethanol fuel studies and run a large number of our student projects on "corn".

[dieseltech]

Originally Posted by 8swbk10

would it really drop? i guess i didnt do enough research then i guess ill stick to regular gas till i have enough for a diesel engine maybe a 90s 6.5 or even a duramax. thanks for telling me that you just saved me money!

6.2/6.5 would probably be the easiest to swap in...these trucks came with the 6.2 so the swap wouldn't be all that difficult

[andrewmp6]

Yeah a duramax would be a wiring nightmare the 6.2/6.5 would be easier or a 12 valve cummins or even the 4bt cummins its smaller and about the weight of a big block.But any diesel swap make sure you beef up the trans to handle the power.