can you use ethanol for vehicles with carburetors?

Question

If so, how do you set it up?

Answer 1

Ethanol must be run at much richer mixtures than gasoline. Your carb will need to be prepped for ethanol and rejetted.

Ethanol is less corrosive to most fuel delivery system components than methanol. This is due in part to the higher oxygen content of methanol. However, certain materials that may be used as sealers or glue in methanol-compatible fuel cells may not be compatible with ethanol.

Because ethanol contains oxygen, it can form corrosive agents. Any water that enters the system can promote the formation of formic acid. Although this process takes a significant amount of time before damage occurs, the tank, pump, and lines should be either stainless steel or coated with a plastic material that is ethanol-compatible. All natural rubber parts that could be in contact with ethanol must also be replaced with synthetic and other materials. In some cases it may be desirable to modify the carburetor so that it can handle the required increased liquid fuel flow when converting from a gasoline application.

When considering fuel pump compatibility, it must also be understood that gasoline is an insulator but ethanol does conduct electricity. This should not be an issue for race cars, as they nearly always have a pump that is mounted outside of the tank. However, the pump must be internally ethanol/methanol compatible and must be able to keep up with the increased fuel delivery rates.

Because Ethanol contains oxygen, it has a very low power stoichiometric when compared to gasoline fuels (6.5 compared to 12.5). Ethanol must be run at much richer mixtures than gasoline, more than offsetting the lower energy per unit volume. The net energy released per cycle is higher and this results in more horsepower.

For example, if gasoline is run at its preferred max power air fuel mixture of 12.5/1, it will release approximately 19,000 BTU's of energy, where ethanol run at its preferred power stoichiometric of 6.5/1 will release approximately 24,400 BTU's. By comparison, methanol releases slightly more, about 27,650 BTU's. The more ethanol there is in gasoline, the more powerful it is as a motor fuel. Typically, you can expect at least 5% more horsepower at the rear wheels of a vehicle running on E-85 than one burning gasoline only.

Answer 2

It is very interesting to note in KR's post that ethanol must be mixed at 6.5:1. The result would be using twice as much fuel for only 1/4 more efficiency. Doesn't sound like the answer to decreased use of foreign oil to me. Seems like it would be better to force oil companies to sell gasoline that gives better MPG's (they know how but refuse to do so because it would decrease their profits) and force car makers to build more efficient cars (which again can be done but wont because of the same reason as above).

Answer 3

You will have to do several things to make it work. You cannot run Ethanol straight into your carb. as it is now. Best wishes!!!

Answer 4

sure if you want to eat all the rubber parts out of the carb such as the carb pump.

Answer 5

NO.

Unless you know how to adjust the air/fuel mixture.

Answer 6

yes ,,, no additional setup required