Ethanol gas
 

I have been told not to use ethanol gas in my stock 1939 ford. Non ethanol is VERY hard to find. Some marina grade gas is defined as "Convention mid grade" and is not supposed to have ethanol. Marinas are not easy to find when you need gas. Are there any additives that can make ethanol gas acceptable? Jon Laing

Re: Ethanol gas
 

Most marinas won't sell gas to cars, no road use taxes are collected. Add a little MMO to gasohol and go for it.

Re: Ethanol gas
 

The only non e-gas we have around my neck of the woods is high test. That's too high of octane to run in my 8ba. So I'm stuck with the 87 e-gas. I don't think there is anything you can add to counter the rubber eating effects of ethanol.

Re: Ethanol gas
 

You can remove the ethanol from gasoline, but I wouldn't try it. There are threads on the Model A forum that explain the procedure to do so, if you want to search. This subject has been discussed far and wide. Unfortunately, nothing seems likely to change about the foisting of this stuff off on us.

Re: Ethanol gas
 

What is MMO and where do you get it? Jon Laing

Re: Ethanol gas
 

Jon, as Ross has advised, Marvel Mystery Oil is your only option to help minimize the damage caused by ethanol. 4 ounces in your gas tank at fillup will be good news for the following components and more:

fuel tank cap gasket
fuel gauge sender
fuel tank
fuel pickup tube
fuel line
fuel flex line
fuel pump diaphram
fuel pump gaskets
fuel pump valves
carburetor float valve
carburetor jets
carburetor power valve
carburetor pump valve

MMO is an aid for these systems directly by helping to protect from damage, and indirectly in the prevention of clogging by rust particles dislodged elsewhere in the fuel system. There are replacement parts engineered with materials that resist the damage caused by ethanol, and there are fuel filters to aid in the removal of rust particles, but nothing you can do would produce more positive effects than to get rid of the politicians that brought ethanol to your car.

Re: Ethanol gas
 

I have seen real gasoline for sale about 10 miles from my home. The only draw back is the high price. Then when you think about the problems caused by ethanol, I just rather buy it or use mmo.

Re: Ethanol gas
 

azz,grass or gas somebody has to pay. No free rides in this day & age.
MMO=4oz to 10 gal of fuel also 2 0z of marine grade ethanol treatment( to 10 gal) STA-BIL( blue or green in color). Wally world or auto parts stores.
You can try gas buddies for best prices & regular gas. I would put aviation fuel in my vette every so often. Sometime I would just drive it up to the pump & other times take fuel cans.Small town airport. Anybody says anything tell them it's for your race car. Some stations also sell racing fuel.

Re: Ethanol gas
 

hi to all,my name is don.
i own a 1953 ford f 500 truck,with the flat head v8.
i recently changed the fuel pump,and replaced the fuel filter with
a filter that i got off the shelf. i changed the oil,after changeing the fuel pump,as this was recommended per fuel pump instructions.
i thought i made a good fix,however it began to run very ruff a short time later. it was my thinking that a good tune up,and new carb would fix this situation.i believe that gas is somehow leaking into the crank case,as i can smell it from the dip stick.what is causeing this? is it the off the shelf fuel filter? i am now wondering if this motor needs a compleate rebuild?
thankyou for any advise.
don

Re: Ethanol gas
 

You can change these parts and you will be pretty well protected, fuel flex line,pump diaphragm,pump valves if rubber coated,float inlet needle,power valve,and lastly the carb accelerator pump. Get rid of these components and you will be set to go. All are avalible from certain people on here. ken ct.

Re: Ethanol gas
 

You have a blown power valve in the carb or you switched the PV and the spark valve around and are in the wrong places. But your gas in the oil is leaking through the PV gasket. ken ct. Was this a brand new pump from China???

Re: Ethanol gas
 

hi to all,
i am new to this site.
haveing problems with my 1953 f-500 flathead v8 239
thinking that gas is leaking into the crankcase.
i have changed the fuel pump and filter with a off the shelf filter.
i changed the oil after changeing the fuel pump as per fuel pump instructions. i was thinking that this was a good fix,however a short time later it began to run ruff. thinking that iam getting fuel somehow leaking
into the crankcase. how is this happening? does this engine need a compleate rebuild?
i have only owned this truck for a short time, not sure of the in's and out's of the flathead v8. can you help,thank you don.

Re: Ethanol gas
 

I've had to use 10% ethanol gas in my '41 Ford , should I say it, street rod for many years. I've pulled the carb apart after 10 yrs or so and saw no signs of any deterioration what so ever. No problems with my fuel pump. I did change any fuel hoses to nitrile hose. But I drive the snot out of it so gas doesn't sit in it long. I do put Sta-bil in it in the winter. I've heard all the horror stories about ethanol but have never actually talked to anyone that actually traced any problem to ethanol We've used E-10 for probably 10 yrs or longer.

Re: Ethanol gas
 

along with the marvel oil i use lead additive

Re: Ethanol gas
 

I didn't know anyone still used lead additive! That's true loyalty! :D

Re: Ethanol gas
 

Is nonethanol HIGH octane gas a better option? My local station has this. Jon Laing

Re: Ethanol gas
 

The problems with the hose, pump and carb parts are not the big expensive part of the ethanol problem. The big problem is vapor lock on 90 degree plus days. The time consuming expensive problem is the water this fuel attracts in the fuel tank. In later cars made for ethanol they don't have vented tanks and also have plastic tanks and floats. I have some fuel injected later cars that only get started and driven around the block maybe once a year and after a number of years no problems and they run good. On the old Fords the vented tanks allow the ethanol to absorb moisture into the tank. I suspect this could be worse in different parts of the country. I live in S.W. Florida on the water where it is around 90 degrees most of the year with high humidity. The moisture forms on the inside top and sides of the tanks above the fuel level making heavy rust and destroys the sender and even ate the brass float in one car. I have been here for over 30 years and never had this problem until a few years ago after using ethanol. People in cooler drier climate may not have the same results. G.M.

Re: Ethanol gas
 

Quality USA made Ethonol proof carburetor and fuel pump parts are available at:

DAYTONA PARTS CO.
1191 Turnbull Bay Rd.
New Smyrna Beach, Fl 32168

www.DaytonaParts.com
[email protected]

386-427-7108

MIKE :)

Re: Ethanol gas
 

A state by state listing of where you can buy non-ethonol gasoline.
This listing is dated, so it might not be 100% accurate.
MIKE :)
http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp

Re: Ethanol gas
 

"The only non e-gas we have around my neck of the woods is high test. That's too high of octane to run in my 8ba."

High octane gas will not hurt your engine. It won't improve performance, but it won't do any damage at all. I've used high octane, Ethanol-free gas in my '37 for years with no problems whatsoever.

Re: Ethanol gas
 

I run Ethanol gas in my stock 36 for , drive her all over & never a problem ! Atleast not in the last 8 years .
Cheers
Tony

Re: Ethanol gas
 

You can also use a product called Star Tron by Star Brite. It is a enyzme that counteracts the effects that ethanol-based gas creates.

Way better than Sta-Bil. In fact, I've used it to restore stale gas. I was amazed how well it worked.

Here is the link to the company. I am in no way associated with them, just use the product and know a bunch of others who do as well.

http://mystarbrite.com/startron/

Re: Ethanol gas
 

In addition to Daytona, Charlie NY on this site has quality parts.

Re: Ethanol gas
 

We have had 10 % ethanol around here a long time. I have run one car on it ever since it came in (302 Ford). The other cars I have I also used it, including two trips from NJ to the West Coast in my stock 56 TBird and have never experienced any fuel component problems with it. Cars are used extensively.

I think a lot of people are making a mountain out of a molehill. Just change the parts that may have problems with ones that are ok for the ethanol. It's probably going to be a long time before the ethanol situation changes, if it ever does. We have to deal with it.

I thought the lead issue had died a long time ago. As long as you are not using the car extensively you don't need an additive and if you do, get hardened exhaust valve seats.

Re: Ethanol gas
 

StaBil Blue Marine Grade seems to work pretty good for long term storage protection.
I spent over $2000 on new carbs, injectors, and fuel pumps in one year for multiple vehicles due to the eCRAP gas. Next door neighbor had the same experience at the same time with his fleet.

In a Red state, $2000 is considered a little bit more than molehill.

Re: Ethanol gas
 

Your right, this site has so many drama queens it's just hysterical to read the threads. Been using E10 for 10-15 years in bikes, lawn mowers, new cars and the old cars with no problem. Hell, if it was that big of a problem there would be a towing company on every corner.

Re: Ethanol gas
 

I'd be curious which "red state" you're in? I think based on what seem to be clusters of problems like yours, that local fuel distributors may be the cause of some problems. They may be adding more than the stated 10% ethanol, especially when gas prices go up. Or maybe their quality control sucks. There are 3 major refineries serving my area, and one has a history of contaminated fuel, the last one disabling almost a thousand cars in 3 days.

Re: Ethanol gas
 

It really is a problem if the gas sits. If it used up and is somewhat fresh, there shouldn't be too many issues.

For an old car, sitting in a tank for over 6 months or so it does start to create problems. This is fact and not drama.

Re: Ethanol gas
 

Why would your car sit for 6 months? They're automobiles, meant to be driven unless you have a museum. ANY fuel will give you problems if it just sits in the system for 6 months. Gas it up, drive it and quit whining

Re: Ethanol gas
 

Adding ethanol to gas is like watering down your beer when you buy a gallon of gas you want a gallon of gas.

Re: Ethanol gas
 

Todd, it's obvious why they call you "flathead". You are not watering gasoline down by adding ethanol. Don't believe me, try putting a match to a glass of water. Now try this same thing to a glass of ethanol. Geeeeesh!

Re: Ethanol gas
 

I hear ya! Been using E10 for years in mowers, snow blowers, old cars, new cars, motorcycles, never had fuel problems. These guys are confusing other problems with "alcohol gas" phobia.

Re: Ethanol gas
 

No one is whining. At least in NJ, I wouldn't take a restored car out in the winter since they salt roads so heavily.

Fellas, it seems like people's emotions are getting in the way of the facts in this thread.

To each his own I guess.

Re: Ethanol gas
 

Here in N.Y. we have a 10% mix and have never had a single "fuel" issue with any builds we've done. The Flathead Merc in my signature has been running on it for a while now with no adverse effects, over 12,000 trouble-free miles on conventional pump-gas.

This also includes as well all the other mfr's we get to do. All the N.Y. "streeters" here run basically on the same fuel!

Seems the ethanol, corn-based fuel, doesn't react like methanol and other alcohol related fuels, with the rubber content.

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. You can do a very simple test with any fuel by putting a short section of rubber hose in an inch of fuel in a metal coffee can and watch for a reaction. I have a conventional piece of rubber fuel line "soaking" in some straight E-85, this 85% ethanol, for a few weeks now with no change whatsoever.

Re: Ethanol gas
 

Ethanol may not be the best thing for rubber parts, but it's not like they just invented it to mess up old cars.

I've been running E10 for years with no problems. I just make sure I stabilize it if the vehicle is going to sit for more than a month or so.

Re: Ethanol gas
 

Mike, love your 51!!

Re: Ethanol gas
 

Ethonol IS "watering down" the gasoline. Alcohol does not have the energy stored, by volumn, as Gasoline. Ask any Chemistry student.
MIKE :)

Re: Ethanol gas
 

This is true, plus alcohol soaks up water, making it even more watered-down.

Re: Ethanol gas
 

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Re: Ethanol gas
 

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