The Ford Barn

1930Ford · 04-30-2022, 07:43 AM

1930 Model A, with B Engine.

Question: Which gasoline (85, 87, 88, 91 or Ethanol free)?

Stingray70 · 04-30-2022, 07:48 AM

If you drive the car lots, any of the above. If the car sits at all, use ethanol free. Performance wise for that engine,, they are all the same but the alcohol doesn't play nice with old cars.

gdmn852 · 04-30-2022, 08:37 AM

As post 2 said use non ethanol if car sits more than driven . The ethanol draws moisture .89 ethanol will work if driven a lot, compression is only about 4 to 1 ,some people add marvel mystery oil to gas also.

1931 flamingo · 04-30-2022, 08:52 AM

Regular is fine, I always used to put Marvel Mystery Oil in When I got gas, usualoly 5-6 gallons at a time, GLUG-GLUG-GLUG.
Paul in CT

Will N · 04-30-2022, 09:17 AM

Keep in mind that in 1930, the octane rating of gasoline was maybe 60, and tetra-ethyl lead had not yet be introduced because compression ratios were quite low. So don't waste your money on high octane gas. If you can get ethanol free easily and without paying too much more for it, I'd use that as it will be less susceptible to vapor lock. The E85 has too much ethanol, so I would avoid that. Otherwise, 87 octane works.

GeneBob · 04-30-2022, 09:55 AM

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For what it is worth, I drive my Model A a good bit and I noticed that the alcohol free runs better but it is also a little higher octane. Otherwise, everything that has already been said above.

Patrick L. · 04-30-2022, 10:48 AM

Its a Model A, so it really doesn't care. It'll run on about anything.

However, I think it mostly matters which float needle you're using. A steel needle won't care, a viton tip one will.

When storing for any length of time I run the carburetor dry and walk away.

TPR1930 · 05-03-2022, 03:47 PM

I have moved to Florida recently where ethanol-free seems to be easy to find. I've now gone through two full tanks of it. The difference, and improvement in performance, has been night to day. Also, no more "off" gas smell. I'm sold on it.

Gene F · 05-03-2022, 04:44 PM

A couple things I don't see covered her:

1) my Grandfather always told me you can run your A on kerosene, but you can't get it started on that. He said you'd need to run it out, then carry a gallon of gasoline with you.

2) A guy in my A chapter has had a couple electric Volt(s). He said the factory manual says use premium fuel, because it may be in the tank for an extended time. I guess premium fuel does not break down nearly as fast as regular fuel.

Don't shoot the messenger...

jeepguy1948 · 05-03-2022, 08:02 PM

Ethanol is basically water suspended in the gasoline. Hence, when it sits the water settles to the bottom. But, something else to think about is that there is not any thermal energy in water. What you are doing when you run ethanol is no more complicated than diluting you gasoline by 10%, It's all a "slight of hand" card trick being played on us by our federal government. When it's all said and done non ethanol gasoline has 11% more energy in it than ethanol gasoline does, so in rough numbers your gas mileage will increase by approximately that much.

nkaminar · 05-03-2022, 08:05 PM

Model airplane works fine in a pinch. Methanol and nitro methane. Open up the GAV a bit.

midgetracer · 05-03-2022, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '28 RPU

Ethanol is basically water suspended in the gasoline. Hence, when it sits the water settles to the bottom. But, something else to think about is that there is not any thermal energy in water. What you are doing when you run ethanol is no more complicated than diluting you gasoline by 10%, It's all a "slight of hand" card trick being played on us by our federal government. When it's all said and done non ethanol gasoline has 11% more energy in it than ethanol gasoline does, so in rough numbers your gas mileage will increase by approximately that much.

The first two sentences are untrue. Ethanol is C2H5OH, and will keep water in suspension up to 10%. It does not settle out upon sitting. It burns well, but does not have as much BTU content as regular gasoline. Just the facts, No slight of hand.

TomInCologne · 05-04-2022, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '28 RPU

Ethanol is basically water suspended in the gasoline. Hence, when it sits the water settles to the bottom. But, something else to think about is that there is not any thermal energy in water. What you are doing when you run ethanol is no more complicated than diluting you gasoline by 10%, It's all a "slight of hand" card trick being played on us by our federal government. When it's all said and done non ethanol gasoline has 11% more energy in it than ethanol gasoline does, so in rough numbers your gas mileage will increase by approximately that much.

This post is 90% wrong and misleading...

shew01 · 05-04-2022, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

Its a Model A, so it really doesn't care. It'll run on about anything.

However, I think it mostly matters which float needle you're using. A steel needle won't care, a viton tip one will.

When storing for any length of time I run the carburetor dry and walk away.

I agree. I’ve even used the Model A to burn some several years old 2 cycle line trimmer fuel (i.e. with oil in it) that I needed to find a way to dispose of. There wasn’t any perceptible crud in the old fuel; so, I tried it. The car ran fine with it. It’s an incredible machine.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

BillCNC · 05-05-2022, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nkaminar

Model airplane works fine in a pinch. Methanol and nitro methane. Open up the GAV a bit.

I don't know why, but I wondered about that not to long ago. I was putting away a couple of gallong of VP fuel with 15% nitro - 18% oil, and was wondering what the Model A would think about it.

Regards
Bill

johnneilson · 05-05-2022, 11:01 AM

The issue with the "new" green fuel is not with performance IMHO, it is corrosion.
The 10%-15% and E85 fuels are hydroscopic, they attract moisture out of the atmosphere and will cause corrosion. The cars/trucks sold when these fuels became available have much different materials in the lines and tanks than even just a couple years prior.

The Model "A" will run on just about anything, for such a low hp per cid I doubt that you would notice much degradation. But if your Model "A" has been modified, the fuel becomes much more important, one coupe I have runs on premium much better than the regular, but that is pushing 120-130 hp.

Best, John

midgetracer · 05-05-2022, 04:26 PM

You are right John. Remember quite a few years ago when we added "Heet" to the gas tank to keep the condensation from freezing the fuel lines. "Heet" is Methanol; the little brother of Ethanol.

johnneilson · 05-05-2022, 04:58 PM

Some years back I filled up my truck and drove home. Next morning it would not start, had fuel and spark, it was a healthy 383. I had turned it over enough that gas was dripping from the exhaust. I took some gas from lawnmower can and poured a little down the carby, hit the starter and it lit then died. What happened was my fuel tank was full of non flammable gas (water mixed in). Rather than dump 30 gallons, I added a gallon of methanol, this absorbed some of the water and allowed it to run.
Never went to that gas station again...

J

ed thibodeau · 05-05-2022, 05:30 PM

When I was going to school on the GI bill I had little money so I burned furnace fuel
oil in my A. Extra one gal. can with fittings under the hood. Started on gas and after
it warmed up switched to the fuel oil in the main tank and drove to school, 20 miles
each way. It left a huge cloud of smoke behind but it ran fine with no problems. I got
the info from a Popular science or a Popular mechanics mag. This was in the winter of
1958/1959.

04-30-2022, 07:43 AM	#1
1930Ford Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: Utah Posts: 18	Gasoline 1930 Model A, with B Engine. Question: Which gasoline (85, 87, 88, 91 or Ethanol free)? Last edited by 1930Ford; 04-30-2022 at 09:14 AM.

04-30-2022, 07:48 AM	#2
Stingray70 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: Western NC Posts: 213	Re: Gasoline If you drive the car lots, any of the above. If the car sits at all, use ethanol free. Performance wise for that engine,, they are all the same but the alcohol doesn't play nice with old cars. __________________ 1930 Standard Coupe

04-30-2022, 08:37 AM	#3
gdmn852 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Erie Pa Posts: 689	Re: Gasoline As post 2 said use non ethanol if car sits more than driven . The ethanol draws moisture .89 ethanol will work if driven a lot, compression is only about 4 to 1 ,some people add marvel mystery oil to gas also.

04-30-2022, 08:52 AM	#4
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Gasoline Regular is fine, I always used to put Marvel Mystery Oil in When I got gas, usualoly 5-6 gallons at a time, GLUG-GLUG-GLUG. Paul in CT

04-30-2022, 09:17 AM	#5
Will N Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,100	Re: Gasoline Keep in mind that in 1930, the octane rating of gasoline was maybe 60, and tetra-ethyl lead had not yet be introduced because compression ratios were quite low. So don't waste your money on high octane gas. If you can get ethanol free easily and without paying too much more for it, I'd use that as it will be less susceptible to vapor lock. The E85 has too much ethanol, so I would avoid that. Otherwise, 87 octane works.

04-30-2022, 09:55 AM	#6
GeneBob Senior Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: Denver Area Posts: 433	Re: Gasoline Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) For what it is worth, I drive my Model A a good bit and I noticed that the alcohol free runs better but it is also a little higher octane. Otherwise, everything that has already been said above.

04-30-2022, 10:48 AM	#7
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Gasoline Its a Model A, so it really doesn't care. It'll run on about anything. However, I think it mostly matters which float needle you're using. A steel needle won't care, a viton tip one will. When storing for any length of time I run the carburetor dry and walk away.

05-03-2022, 03:47 PM	#8
TPR1930 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Polk County, Florida Posts: 10	Re: Gasoline I have moved to Florida recently where ethanol-free seems to be easy to find. I've now gone through two full tanks of it. The difference, and improvement in performance, has been night to day. Also, no more "off" gas smell. I'm sold on it.

05-03-2022, 04:44 PM	#9
Gene F Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,973	Re: Gasoline A couple things I don't see covered her: 1) my Grandfather always told me you can run your A on kerosene, but you can't get it started on that. He said you'd need to run it out, then carry a gallon of gasoline with you. 2) A guy in my A chapter has had a couple electric Volt(s). He said the factory manual says use premium fuel, because it may be in the tank for an extended time. I guess premium fuel does not break down nearly as fast as regular fuel. Don't shoot the messenger...

05-03-2022, 08:02 PM	#10
jeepguy1948 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Posts: 721	Re: Gasoline Ethanol is basically water suspended in the gasoline. Hence, when it sits the water settles to the bottom. But, something else to think about is that there is not any thermal energy in water. What you are doing when you run ethanol is no more complicated than diluting you gasoline by 10%, It's all a "slight of hand" card trick being played on us by our federal government. When it's all said and done non ethanol gasoline has 11% more energy in it than ethanol gasoline does, so in rough numbers your gas mileage will increase by approximately that much.

05-03-2022, 08:05 PM	#11
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,900	Re: Gasoline Model airplane works fine in a pinch. Methanol and nitro methane. Open up the GAV a bit. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

05-05-2022, 11:01 AM	#16
johnneilson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: 34.22 N 118.36 W Posts: 1,057	Re: Gasoline The issue with the "new" green fuel is not with performance IMHO, it is corrosion. The 10%-15% and E85 fuels are hydroscopic, they attract moisture out of the atmosphere and will cause corrosion. The cars/trucks sold when these fuels became available have much different materials in the lines and tanks than even just a couple years prior. The Model "A" will run on just about anything, for such a low hp per cid I doubt that you would notice much degradation. But if your Model "A" has been modified, the fuel becomes much more important, one coupe I have runs on premium much better than the regular, but that is pushing 120-130 hp. Best, John __________________ As Carroll Smith wrote; All Failures are Human in Origin.

05-05-2022, 04:26 PM	#17
midgetracer Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bismarck ND Posts: 1,189	Re: Gasoline You are right John. Remember quite a few years ago when we added "Heet" to the gas tank to keep the condensation from freezing the fuel lines. "Heet" is Methanol; the little brother of Ethanol.

05-05-2022, 04:58 PM	#18
johnneilson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: 34.22 N 118.36 W Posts: 1,057	Re: Gasoline Some years back I filled up my truck and drove home. Next morning it would not start, had fuel and spark, it was a healthy 383. I had turned it over enough that gas was dripping from the exhaust. I took some gas from lawnmower can and poured a little down the carby, hit the starter and it lit then died. What happened was my fuel tank was full of non flammable gas (water mixed in). Rather than dump 30 gallons, I added a gallon of methanol, this absorbed some of the water and allowed it to run. Never went to that gas station again... J __________________ As Carroll Smith wrote; All Failures are Human in Origin.

05-05-2022, 05:30 PM	#19
ed thibodeau Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Pinckney, Mich. Posts: 174	Re: Gasoline When I was going to school on the GI bill I had little money so I burned furnace fuel oil in my A. Extra one gal. can with fittings under the hood. Started on gas and after it warmed up switched to the fuel oil in the main tank and drove to school, 20 miles each way. It left a huge cloud of smoke behind but it ran fine with no problems. I got the info from a Popular science or a Popular mechanics mag. This was in the winter of 1958/1959.