Just a thought, what would we have to do to have our cars ( original 6 or V8 carbed engine ) to have them run on E-85? I have a sinking feeling we're going to get stuck with this in the future. I have tried to research this and really didn't find a decent answer! I know our government would love to see our cars go away,and I'm not going to even go there!:deadhorse
Basically new or modified carb, new fuel line, and a compatible pump. Not sure on the original fuel tanks. I run my car on E-85 right now, but it's pretty much a dragstrip car with VERY limited street miles. What's so bad about E-85? It makes more power, is cheaper than "regular" gas here, and the car runs cooler. Yes, you will use more, and it's harder to find it at the pumps...but that's about it. I don't know how you haven't found much information on it if you've "researched" it...there's a lot of info out there on it. I LOVE it for the strip!
Compatible fuel system components will be the issue. Back in the early 90's when Ford introduced "flex fuel" cars, all the orings, seals and tank liners were designed such that they were specifically resistant to the ethanol or methanol content in the fuel. I have heard a lot of complaints in the marine industry of ethanol in the fuel causing the breakdown of the rubber fuel system components as well as varnish and corrosion in the tanks and lines. A small engine mechanic I talked to a while back mentioned that the fuel systems and tanks on lawn equipment being susceptible to ethanol blended fuels as well. It's coming, we'll just have to see to what extent and modify around it. I'm going to drive my Maverick if I have to run an electric motor in the d&*m thing!! Most newer Ford products will run on at least 10% ethanol with no driveability issues. I think the issue with varnishing and degrading of the soft components are with engines that sit for a period of time. I have run E85 in non-Flex-fuel vehicles as well, so it's just going to be trial and error.
That's what I have found on most of my researches. My friend runs an alcohol dragster. I'm just curious of what is needed and the real equation, how expensive will it be for an average street car? I, also, will do what I need to to keep my Maverick running!
Nothing wrong with E85, I just wish we could get it. My 2010 F150, ran awesome on it, on the way to Florida, I was getting 26+ MPG. (4 door 4X4)
I've run some of my own non-scientific tests on different materials in E85 and really didn't see any discernable degradation. I had fuel line (albiet aftermarket Parker fuel line) aluminum and a few other items. None showed any signs of problems after a year of sitting in the stuff. My understanding is that there are two things that have given the fuel a bad name, one is it's similarities to methanol which is a completely different kind of alcohol. Methanol is very corrosive and steps have to be taken to keep it from ruining non-anodized aluminum, from drying out hoses and seals. I used to run methanol in my drag car years back and had to drain it after every race and run gas through everything to keep it lubricated. Additionally I had to add a top end lube to the fuel as well. The ethanol isn't nearly as bad. The second issue is moisture. Alcohols regardless of the type will absorb water from the air. As a matter of fact, this is exactly how you can tell how much ethanol is in the fuel, by separating it out with water. Anyhow, the research is out there...please don't just take my word for it. Check out E85performance.net. You can learn a lot and get a ton of help there. Oh and keep in mind that E85 is very cheap right now because the government is subsidizing a large portion of it. Given the octane, I don't think that it will ever approach the cost of VP racing fuels, but as the subsidies subside, the price will escalate. The good part is that it is touted as a renewable energy source.
@ MNTony, Thanks so much for mentioning "E85performance.net."! Google search should have put this #1 on the list! It is chock full of info for racers and daily drivers both! I noticed PaulS on the forum also!
I just did a search and there isn't an E85 station within 20 miles of me. Sux, I wouldn't mind doing a little low tech research myself.
E85 is advertised as a "renewable" fuel. At least 15% of it is. The ethanol subsidies are a big issue in politics right now. Since ethanol has less energy by volume than gas, and is mostly sourced from corn, it has the dubious property of both raising the number of gallons of fuel sold (which means more taxes) and raising the cost of corn based food. On top of that, it is not a "clean" fuel as the total emissions from the entire production to burn cycle (Field to wheel) are greater than for gas (well to wheel). Even CA has refused to give clean energy credits under their new "Global Warming" bill because the total pollution is not decreased at all. The extra octane is nice though, if you tune for it properly.
