Problems; Fuel with ethanol

[engineer_gregh]

Just looking for advice and suggestions on running ethanol free fuel and what to do when you can't find it? My fresh built 402 with an Edelbrock 750 runs great with ethanol free gas but not so good on 93 Octane 10% ethanol gas blend. I've tried the Lucas ethanol treatment with no real success. I just bought the Stabil Marine ethanol treatment and used that on a 200+ mile trip and wasn't happy with it either. What are some of you doing about ethanol blended gas and are you having problems with idle, acceleration, and starting? I'm going to call Edelbrock tomorrow and ask if there is a special rebuild kit for running ethanol blended fuels. Thanks for any comments or suggestions.

[RaptorSentry]

I downloaded an app for my iPhone called Pure Gas, it will tell you where you can buy ethanol free gas. It is based on input users, so some of the information maybe old. It also does not identify if it is off-road fuel or street legal. So far everywhere I've been, in the States, it has guided me to ethanol free gas.

[Oly72C20]

I have been concerned about the same thing. I will definitely be checking out that 'pure gas' app, but I'm fortunate my area has three gas stations that carry ethanol free gas within a few miles of me. Best of luck on hunting for the best fuel. I also make sure I have a few gas cans filled and strapped in "just in case" if I go out of the area.

[krue]

In my experience in this part of the country the small Mom and Pop gas stations are the most likely to have ethanol free gas.

[bobs409]

I can't even find any near me in PA.

I've been running the ethenol for a few years now as I have NO choice and (knock on wood) so far, so good.

I wish we could get rid of this crap for good! Damn EPA and tree huggers.

[engineer_gregh]

RaptorSentry thanks for the note on the app. I also have ethanol free gas stations near me so I pay the added cost (.40 cents more than 87 octane ethanol blend) to keep the truck running its best. The problem is trying to find it on the road. I did a 500 mile round trip this past weekend from TN to GA. For whatever reason the two stations that I did find in GA were charging $1 per gallon more for 87 octane ethanol free, thats just crazy and I refused to pay that kind of price. bobs409 what carb and engine are you running? Have you changed your fuel lines over to stainless?

[Lattimer]

You can't buy real gas anywhere in NJ. They aren't allowed to sell it.

My truck runs fine on E-10 92 octane though. I have a hot little 355, 9.5:1 compression, HEI, and a Demon carb. I run dual fuel filters just in case.

I do dump in a can of seafoam every 4 or 5 tanks of gas, and that seems to help.

I have been told that on some engines additional timing advance helps a lot with the E-10. I run mine at 16 degrees btdc.

[Ridgeclimber]

When running the ethanol fuel, I'm guessing your going to have to richen up your a/f ratio. If you just have a poor idle you could turn out your idle mixtures screws at the base of the carb. If you have poor power or acceleration you might need to re jet the slow and high jets to give you more fuel. Do you notice it detonating when driving or is hard to start. If not you could advance the times abit. Good luck with the tuning.

[brad_man_72]

Originally Posted by Ridgeclimber

When running the ethanol fuel, I'm guessing your going to have to richen up your a/f ratio. If you just have a poor idle you could turn out your idle mixtures screws at the base of the carb. If you have poor power or acceleration you might need to re jet the slow and high jets to give you more fuel. Do you notice it detonating when driving or is hard to start. If not you could advance the times abit. Good luck with the tuning.

This!

It takes more ethanol for a proper mixture.

[engineer_gregh]

Thanks for all the comments and suggestions. I'm not getting any detonating or spark knock. I have to wind the starter more than I'm comfortable with when running the ethanol fuel, with non ethanol it starts as soon as you hit the key. Hard acceleration with the blended fuel I get intermittent sputters which drives me crazy! I will try to richen the carb a bit. I'm running the stock jets so I'm going to call Edelbrock for some advice on the jets. Any suggestions on timing for the BB? I'm running HEI as well.

[Ridgeclimber]

I've found its hard to quote a timing spec. Each engine seems to be alittle different. Different compression, cam etc. I've just used a vacuum gauge with pretty good success. Turn up your idle to about 1000 rpm. Then advance or retard the distributor timing until you find the highest vacuum reading. Then retard the timing 1 inch of vacuum. Turn down your idle and try it. If it pings or hard starting retard it abit from there. The vacuum gauge method seem to work for me. It finds out we're the engine combination or if it is a worn engine, wants to run the most efficient.

[Tom Vogel]

East woods also has an ethanol treatment. I've bought some and will use it, but havn't just yet.

[mmiddle]

Farm fuel suppliers are a great place to buy real gas. Usually much cheaper than ethanol-gas.

[cdowns]

Originally Posted by mmiddle

Farm fuel suppliers are a great place to buy real gas. Usually much cheaper than ethanol-gas.

not around here as it is close to a buck and a half more for a gallon here

[Chrome8]

Have you ever thought of Avgas? 100LL at your local airport shouldn't have any ethanol in it at all. High octane rating too.

[Ridgeclimber]

I've ran av gas in my turboed sled and the Harley. It works good and is alot cheaper then race gas but more money then premium. It works good if you need more octane and good quality fuel.

[BlackedOut67shorty]

My truck runs with e10 and it works fine, just tune your vehicle every so season and you should be fine. Had to learn the hard way having the closest pure gasoline being 35 miles away.

[bobs409]

Originally Posted by engineer_gregh

bobs409 what carb and engine are you running? Have you changed your fuel lines over to stainless?

Have to run it in all of my vehicles. (see my sig file below)

I made no changes but do keep an eye on the rubber hoses as I think they would be the first to go.