[jcp123]

Anybody used E10 gas in their carb'd cars? I'm curious because we're starting to see it down here + would like to know if it's something I should avoid in my '67 (besides the obvious MPG drop). If it becomes all e10 here, would that warrant swapping out my metering rods/spark plugs/re-timing it?

[Ryan_65Stallion]

e10? you mean flew fuel? the 80% gas, 20% corn oil shit

[jcp123]

Yup, that BS. I'm no fan of it myself, but if I gotta use it sometime in the future, might as well be prepared.

[Ryan_65Stallion]

I highly doubt it'll be standardized anytime soon, seriously. Even than, I'll have a new car here in a couple years and I'm going to have the '65 as a crusier with a built 351W in her.

but back to topic. I don't see why you would have to re-time or anything, but what do I know, haha.

[aguilarf]

E85 Ethanol and Vintage Cars

A question was recently asked if someone should, or could, use E85 fuel in a 1972 gasoline collector's car.

The short answer is, no. E85 ethanol is a very poor idea to use in vintage cars.

A mixture of 85% ethanol and 15% gas, E85 ethanol, should not be consumed by any vehicle unless it is designated at the manufacturer as a "flex-fuel" vehicle. If you use E85 in a strictly gasoline car, not just a vintage collectible car, it may damage it beyond repair. E85 ethanol in a vehicle that is not made for e85 can cause major corrosion through out the entire fuel system, crack seals and hoses and it can remove lubrication off the engine's cylinders. Also, both the E85 ethanol and widely available E10 ethanol will move old sludge buildup, varnish and other dirts from the fuel tank. As soon as these are within the fuel, it will cause fuel line and filter clogging as well as prohibit fuel injectors and carburetor jets from spraying correctly.

Despite its higher octane number, e85 ethanol has less energy then gasoline per gallon. In the industry, it has become a well-known fact that E85 in a "flex-fuel" vehicle capable of using gasoline. E85, will provide less miles per gallon compared to gasoline (Ethanol industry generally estimates it to be about a 30% drop).

And if you convert to E85 you need to rejet the carb and increase the fuel system flow rate.
Car Gasoline - Ethanol For All - E85 - Mustang & Fords

Air/Fuel Ratios IdealRich LimitLean LimitGasoline14.7:112.5:113.2:1Methanol6.4:15.4:15 .7:1Ethanol9.0:16.4:17.8:1E859.8:17.0:18.5:1

[jcp123]

Yeah, I wouldn't even try the E85. It's just the E10 that seems to be a grey area...

[aguilarf]

E-10 problems:

Ethanol presents several problems. The immediate impact of the formulation is a loss of horsepower and fuel economy. Early indications show drops of 3-5 % in of both categories. Additionally, ethanol is a very effective solvent, and has a tendency to dissolve old coatings of varnish and dirt in existing fuel systems. This can lead to plugged fuel filters, and other mechanical problems.
The added amounts of particles associated with ethanol fuel may warrant upgrading filter systems. Many engineers are now recommending that if using ethanol fuel need to use 10 micron filters. Pre-E-10 systems will likely be using 28 micron filters. The corrosive nature of ethanol can affect fuel lines and other components, causing them to crack and fail. Many older boats will require replacement of all fuel hoses and possibly other system components. Water in E-10 fuel is another problem that must be dealt with. The introduction of water on E-10 fuel can be disasterous. E-10 can hold up to four teaspoons of water in suspension per gallon. Once this saturation point is exceeded, the solution separates and the gas floats on top while the ethanol and water mix on the bottom. This event is called "phase separation". Ethanol fuel can absorb enough water to reach it's phase separation point in just over 3 months at 70% humidity.

[jcp123]

Ouch...methinks I'll avoid E10. Thanks for the info!

[95 GTS]

Originally Posted by Ryan_65Stallion

I highly doubt it'll be standardized anytime soon, seriously. Even than, I'll have a new car here in a couple years and I'm going to have the '65 as a crusier with a built 351W in her.

but back to topic. I don't see why you would have to re-time or anything, but what do I know, haha.

LSX you mean

[95 GTS]

Originally Posted by aguilarf

E-10 problems:

Ethanol presents several problems. The immediate impact of the formulation is a loss of horsepower and fuel economy. Early indications show drops of 3-5 % in of both categories. Additionally, ethanol is a very effective solvent, and has a tendency to dissolve old coatings of varnish and dirt in existing fuel systems. This can lead to plugged fuel filters, and other mechanical problems.
The added amounts of particles associated with ethanol fuel may warrant upgrading filter systems. Many engineers are now recommending that if using ethanol fuel need to use 10 micron filters. Pre-E-10 systems will likely be using 28 micron filters. The corrosive nature of ethanol can affect fuel lines and other components, causing them to crack and fail. Many older boats will require replacement of all fuel hoses and possibly other system components. Water in E-10 fuel is another problem that must be dealt with. The introduction of water on E-10 fuel can be disasterous. E-10 can hold up to four teaspoons of water in suspension per gallon. Once this saturation point is exceeded, the solution separates and the gas floats on top while the ethanol and water mix on the bottom. This event is called "phase separation". Ethanol fuel can absorb enough water to reach it's phase separation point in just over 3 months at 70% humidity.

the e85 is being used by ls1 n/a guys and with a tune is achieving 30+ mpg in the f bodies

it is also being used by some Evo guys due to its properties similar to race gas. It allows for the use of much more timing and power. For dirt cheap

[aguilarf]

E-10 has between 2-5% less energy. Ethanol blended fuels all have less energy levels, however their increased oxygen content helps improve combustion. So getting power out of them is doable as long as volume is increased.

[jcp123]

I've actually heard that some of the alcohol engine builders are having a field day with E-85, basically building drag motors that run on pump gas. Read that in PHR or some such mag.

[thatdavidkid]

ok guys, e10 will not really hurt your car... i dont like it, but that's all you can get up here in the dallas area... worse gas mileage is about all you'll notice immediately.