GAV and alcohol
 

I was listening to a non-technical podcast and they mentioned the GAV on the Model A was designed to allow the engine to run on gasoline or alcohol. The story was that alcohol was common on farms at the time.

When I first rebuilt a Zenith I had the GAV a full turn+ open and it was really pumping out black smoke and barely running. I thought it was odd to have that level of adjustment available from the drivers seat.

Anybody ever heard of this? I can safely say the podcast hosts don’t know a thing about cars so clearly they were just parroting back what they heard. Who knows, maybe this is common knowledge to everyone but me!

Thanks

Re: GAV and alcohol
 

BS and alcohol was not common on farms except for the occasional moon shine.

Re: GAV and alcohol
 

alcohol was common on a farm it was used for my things and in radiators for freeze protection

Re: GAV and alcohol
 

I can relate a short story about an A I had back in the 1960's. A friend who was a master welder during WW2. etc. brazed a fitting on the '30 gas tank firewall while in the car. We drained the fuel, flushed and filled with water , and he went at it while I was standing around the building corner! Afterwards, the tank was drained and filled with a quart or 2 of 90% alcohol. The A ran very well just long enough to clear the carb., etc.

Re: GAV and alcohol
 

I don't know about pure alcohol, but I did do testing of the difference between regular gas and 10%, to get the same mixture as I got with closed gav on regular gas it took 1/4 turn till 50, then 3/4 turn above 50

Re: GAV and alcohol
 

Re: GAV and alcohol
 

Really not a new thing is it?

Re: GAV and alcohol
 

That sign in the back looks like the corn lobby then the corn lobby now. Take our inferior product that will cause you problems because we have billions to lobby with.

Re: GAV and alcohol
 

Yeah, that corn lobby is FORCED on the farmer. Doesn't matter if they want to support it or not, they are forced to contribute to it.

Re: GAV and alcohol
 

Thanks for the replies. Seems like it is possible to run a fairly high mix of alcohol just by adjusting the GAV.

I forgot to mention, the podcast was talking about how unsafe leaded gasoline was and that it was developed to prevent engine knock. They were making the point that alcohol can prevent knock and the Model A was capable of running on alcohol. I feel like I need to add the caveat that I'm simplifying the topic for brevity. I know there is a lot to fuel science.

Thanks again!

Re: GAV and alcohol
 

The biggest problem with Alcohol is its corrosive and any aluminum parts especially.