E85 Fuel

[nroden]

Has anyone hear used E85 fuel?? They sell it some around here now. Its 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. Hence E15 for the regular fuel we buy usually (at least here) which is just 10% ethanol. Soy Diesel is also becoming popular around here for diesel engines.
Does E85 cause any damage in a standard gasoline engine? How would it do in a 72 350? I have heard good things about running it in standard engines and bad things. I know that they design some cars now to adjust themselves when you use E85 that can also use standard fuel.

[68 Stepside]

Good question, ttt

[hgs_notes]

I would say NOT to use it. I've heard you need special tuning at the carb to run it. I'm not sure how it effects firing in the cylinder, wouldn't want to melt a piston or burn up the plugs. The local dodge dealer asked me once (while looking at a dakota with catalytic problems) if I'd ever put it in by mistake. He said it can ruin them quickly.

Now maybe if it was mixed with regular in the right proportions it would boost octane levels without the loss of ring and valve lubrication. Thing is, you would only need this or benefit by it if you had huge compression.

HG

[Ackattack]

Back in college I did a research paper on E85. Basically what I found out was that you could run it in an essentially stock engine with a few changes.

First, E85 doesn't contain as much energy/gallon as gasoline, so you need more fuel to make more the same power as gasoline, but this is offset by the fact that it's higher octane, allowing you to run more compression.

I don't remember is you just need to have a richer mixture or if you need more air too (I'm thinking you just need a richer mixture).

Another concern is that is an alchohol, so I don't no how compatible it is with rubber fuel lines and gaskets in the carb. You may have to run a carb for alcohol (I'm kinda thinking you'll be ok, but I'd check into it a little more). Also, you may need to change fuel pumps to a higher volume pump with larger fuel lines.

I hope this gets you headed into the right direction. I know I found a lot of information on the Wayne State University website. Might want to check it out.

[bpmcgee]

In a weird sort of synchronicity, I read an article about this just yesterday on the web. It was a PDF by someone at the University of Nebraska, and they converted a Silverado to run on E85. They made a HUGE number of changes. Like replacing all the fuel lines and tank, all the rubber in the fuel system, etc.

You should probably be able to do a search and come up with the article. It's interesting, but it shows that the conversion is NOT for the faint of heart.

Brian

[JayDubBlazer]

I know you do NOT want to use it at all in a two stoke engine. Found out the hard way.

[nroden]

I guess its just one of them things that people have had different experiences and its all who you talk to. I'm not going to try it until I have a much more feedback from sources. Right now I am useing Premium 91 octane fuel that has a 10% ethanol blend.
This E85 and Biodiesel are both great ways to support the farmers.

[MU72]

I've heard that the ethanol can stir up the gunk in the bottom of older fueal tanks and deposit it in your fuel lines and carb. There may not be any truth to this, but I have never put any ethanol in my truck. Besides, with the milage my truck gets, I can't afford the extra $$.

[cdowns]

just saw a thing on speedvision about it on that "MOTOR WEEK" show i guess the manufacturerers have cars that with the computers can burn either

[hanssolo]

The proper additives are important. My experience is that gas with ethanol carries some water with it or causes condensation that promotes water. I would use some water remover additive once in a while. It will attack rubber so metal fuel line is a good idea and fuel pump and carb. parts made to work with alcohol which is easily available from Summit, Jegs. With 85% alcohol its almost like a methanol burning drag car. Another additive in the meantime is Marvel Mystery Oil which will lubricate the rbber, viton in the fuel system. All in all, higher comp. ratios and cooler running engine. I don't know how that high percentage alcohol would work in a lower comp.engine (below 9:1).

[Locutus]

as far as biodiesel goes. We have done a conversion on a old diesel generator to make it run Vetable Oil. The only thing you really need to do is make a preheater to keep the oil warm so it has a similar viscocity to regular diesel fuel. You also need a filter if you want to run used vegtable oil(such as what is thrown out in large quantities from mc donalds bk wendy's etc)


Its been rumored you can even use animal fats. My next project is to hot rod a old vw rabbit diesel to run Vegtable oil with propane injection.


Mike

[lukecp]

As long as we are on the subject of alternative fuels....what about 115 octane "purple" race gas? One of my friends can get me a few gallons....the guy he works for runs a 812 hp dirt track car almost every weekend, and they usually have a few gallons left over. He said he put some in his 305 and it ran like a 350...but poured out black smoke when the 4bbl opened. I have also heard of guys running aviation gas in their trucks with powerful results.....is this BS or can i pay $3.50 a gallon and have a little fun without hurting my motor?

[jimfulco]

A friend of mine used to run gasohol in his Firebird when he lived in west Texas. Car started running worse & worse, & when he looked into the carb, the boosters were corroded almost completely away.

[Ackattack]

yellow72custom,
running unneccasarily high octane gas will actually make a vehicle run worse. This is because octane has less energy than than gasoline. I've seen several article in Hot Rod where they were dyno testing stuff, and the engines actually made more power on 93 octane than on 100 octane.

You get a benefit from it when you're running 14:1 compression and you need that much octane....like your buddys car I'm sure.

[lukecp]

Thanks for the replies...i will just stick to the regular 91 octane i currently run in the truck

[VTKidder]

I've got to believe that they wouldn't put it out at the pumps with regular gas if it was going to screw up your engine.

[andyr354]

Lots of the requrements have already been stated but here is what I know:
It will gradually attack rubber fuel lines and some fiber floats
you need to richen your mixture or the engine will run to lean
The engine will run cooler since alcohol burns at a lower temperature
the exhaust smells like a mixed drink

A friend of mine rejeted his lawnmower for it and runs it

My parents have a 99 or so F&*d Tortise that from the factory is compatible with it. The computer will adjust the fuel system. Haven't had a chance to try it yet.

[nroden]

I'm thinkin I'll leave it alone. Maybe someday when I do my teardown/rebuild I will change everything to run on E85. Wouldn't cost much extra really and would be helping the US to keep from foreign oil dependence (although not many people seem to be interested in the general public)