To Ethanol or not to Ethanol.....?

[South Florida C50]

My truck was finally delivered from Illinois today, to sunny south Florida The tank is empty and the dealer who brought it down on a trailer didn't know what kind of gas it had in it. It's a 1969 C50 with a 366 BB and a small two barrel carb on it. What are you guys using in your old gas motors. I know when this beast was born it was raised on leaded gas, but that's been gone a while now. High octane 93 with 10% Ethanol, Mid grade 89 with 10% Ethanol, Low octane 87 with 10% Ethanol, or No Ethanol 91 octane are my only choices down here where I live. What are you guys using?

[mrolds88]

The no ethanol choice is the best for the fuel system, but the truck should only require the 87 octane.

[colgad]

All of my old carburetor lawn mowers, cars or trucks get NON Ethanol gas. It is much cheaper in the long run.

[Katrina/10]

Non-ethanol always.

[C10 - C90 Bill]

I've been running the usual 10% (Mid Grade) in my Small Block Chevys for years with absolutely no problems, but agree that the Non-Ethanol is better.

Bill

[Katrina/10]

Originally Posted by C10 - C90 Bill

I've been running the usual 10% (Mid Grade) in my Small Block Chevys for years with absolutely no problems, but agree that the Non-Ethanol is better.

Bill

Based on my experience, if it is a vehicle you drive every day, you can get away with using ethanol in some cases. But, if it's in something that sits a long time, the fuel will go bad and cause all kinds of problems.

[C10 - C90 Bill]

I agree that the Ethanol fuel seems to go bad quicker, but just want to point out that even the old fuel, before the Ethanol days, could also go bad on you in time. I've drained many a tank through the years, lol. They also say that the Ethanol fuel is more rough on Carburetors, but so far I've been lucky. One of my trucks can sometimes sit for 6 weeks, and so far so good, it starts right up like it was Friday night to Monday morning.

Maybe I'm real lucky ??

Bill

[KQQL IT]

My old pickup sits 3/4 weeks at a time. Being from Ca I haven't a choice on ethanol fuel. And the fuel system hasn't failed yet

[Katrina/10]

I live in a very humid area in the summer. I think the ethanol can absorb more water from the air, so the gas goes bad faster.

[special-K]

They don't sell gasoline around here anymore, only ethanol. I've had many issues so far with small engine stuff and my trucks that aren't daily driven. Why do you think they don't use ethanol in airplanes or boats? Stabilizers only extend life a short while. I've had better luck starting trucks with gas old enough to pre-date ethanol than ethanol that went through winter. It drops fuel economy and requires more throttle due to making less power than gas.

[1974ChevyC30]

I rebuilt my carb(Quadrajet) with ethanol compatible seals and gaskets, haven't had a problem with 10% ethanol. Before that however, the ethanol destroyed my accelerator pump seal..you shoulda seen it

[1974ChevyC30]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

I live in a very humid area in the summer. I think the ethanol can absorb more water from the air, so the gas goes bad faster.

Yup, ethanol retains water...not good. Corrodes fuel lines among other things. I put the stuff in my old Deere(big mistake) and the fuel pump started leaking after 2 days.

[special-K]

Non-ethanol, otherwise known as gasoline, is a no brainer where there's a choice. I just rebuilt the carb on a Ford Jubilee tractor and flushed out the tank (due to ethanol). I'm going to run out to West Virginia about an hour one way where I saw a station that sells gasoline to put 10 gallons in because no telling how long it will take to burn up.