1936 Ford flathead - is a fuel additive required

[Tinker]

Emmit, most guys just run ethanol fuel out. If you are driving and using it you are fine. If you let it sit a lot maybe an issue. maybe not. Course other issues maybe not real but I can't say if they are. It certainly eat up a lot of seals and lines. But there are new seals and lines.

My understanding is ethanol will adsorb water from the atmosphere if let set. Burn it quickly.


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[mrtexas]

Originally Posted by Tinker

My understanding is ethanol will adsorb water from the atmosphere if let set. Burn it quickly.

How true that ethanol absorbs water. Ethanol is not blended in refineries where the gasoline is made. It is blended at the fuel terminals and stored in tanks with a domed roofs so water won't get in it. Just a little water in corn gas makes it milky. Wouldn't buy milky gasoline would you?

The typical refinery gasoline tank has a floating roof to reduce evaporative losses. There is a water draw at the bottom to remove rainwater. Pump suctions are a couple feet above the bottom to reduce the chance of pumping water with the gasoline.

[Tinker]

I agree Texas, but fuel in the 30s-40 was like 60 octane, dirty, and had lead.


Guess it's why I can run about any crap fuel in my 1927 throttler.


I do not have a good answer here. Doing okay on non eth for now.


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[mrtexas]

Originally Posted by Tinker

I agree Texas, but fuel in the 30s-40 was like 60 octane, dirty, and had lead.


Guess it's why I can run about any crap fuel in my 1927 throttler.


I do not have a good answer here. Doing okay on non eth for now.


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That's right, natural gasoline distilled from crude straight run is still around 60-70 octane which is why the compression ratio of 30s cars is so low, usually around 6:1. You could buy gas with Ethyl Corporation lead to get another 5 numbers or so but you had to pay more for "Ethyl" gas which today we call Super. Been a long time since fill er up with Ethyl has been said much. Anyone remember that(this will show your age)?

After WW2 the refiners started intensive processing of gasoline to get 90+ octane so compression ratios could be raised to 8-10:1 for more power and efficiency. I get a kick out of posting about gasoline as I worked in a refinery for 32 years as a Chemical Engineer with much of that time having to do with gasoline blending. In recent years compression ratios of 10:1 are common but most cars now have knock sensors to avoid pre-ignition. A very few high performance cars today require Super gasoline.

[dumb person]

Originally Posted by 40 Deluxe

Why not make your own ethanol-free gas? Take a translucent five gallon plastic square container, add four gallons ethanol gas and one gallon water, and mix. Turn upside down and let it settle. The water will absorb the ethanol and settle to the bottom. Then simply drain off the water/ethanol mix, and what is left is pure, ethanol-free gas. Note: Premium 91/93 octane ethanol gas is made by adding ethanol to 87 octane regular (non-ethanol) gas so removing the ethanol from premium leaves you 87 octane real gas.

I tried this. It doesn't work. Exactly the same volume of 'gas' and water remained.
The water smelled & tasted disgusting, nothing like ethanol.
The fuel would have had water in it.

[JohnI]

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Do all 36 Fords not need lead substitute? How about 34s?

[Brian]

Your 34 Ford has hardened valve seats fitted from the factory...you'll be fine.

[Graeme / New Zealand]

I use 91 and have an oilcan with Morey's upper cylinder lube in it. Every now and then I put a few squirts in the gas tank. Pre 8BA and I think even earlier 8BA had hardened valve seats anyway. Like you Westie I don't use Gull either, unfortunately this Govt of ours will soon be mandating a percentage of biofuel in all our petrol according to an article I saw on Stuff the other day.

GB