my brother in law is setting up for bio deisel. what about using corn alchol ion gas engines anyone know about that? Thinking of growing Corn for alcohol. some for me some for my truck.

 

Another forum I belong too, a fellow member runs corn ethanol in his Ranger. Suprisingly it's not FFV compatible. He lives in Kansas somewhere and he's told me that his truck runs fine with it. Just my .$02

 

What percentage does he run? The non FFV motors will run the standard 10% ethanol without issue. I think the 3.8L FFV motor in the wifes Windstar will run on 70% ethanol.

Thread moved to the other alternate fuels forum.

 

I've run E85 through several vehicles, electronic carb and injected, and most responded ok, a few did not. Dodge Caravan, 3.0, did not. Sister's (0's Escort responded ok. Some will tell you that severe engine damage may result from using E85 in a vehicle not set up for it, but I have yet to have any experience with that particular problem. I rarely have fuel system problems, and I constantly run 10% I don't have access to E85 regularly yet, but have run some through on occasion as I could. There are quite a few people trying it out on their non-flex fuel vehicles and doing ok on it. It's a choice you have to make for yourself, because there are many opinions. Study up on it and make your own decision if you want to try it or not. There are plenty of naysayers, so just do your homework and make your own decision yea or nay.

 

Read the thread "pure alcholol" in this forum.

 

ok, interesting stuff guys. but can i run it in y old 460? and what percentage. where does it come from. can i make it ? is it cheaper than gas? i have to rebuild my 390 can i build it to burn this? and whats ffv? sorry for all the questions but i am new you have to start out somewhere.

thanks mike

 

If you have to rebuild a motor, it opens up all sorts of cool options. Remember, the octane rating of E85, if I remember correctly, is around 105. Thus, you can build nice high compression engines to use it. The only thing I'd be concerned with is cold starting. Most FFV's use a heated intake manifold to assist starting. The 15% gas also assists starting. I think an intake with an exhaust cross-over passage would help after the engine fires off. If I had to run it, I'd get a block heater and make sure to use it.

FFV = Flex Fuel Vehicle. One made to run either gasoline or E85.

Can you run it in your old 460? Probably. If it's carbureted, simply increase the jet size a few sizes, until the plugs read normal. You might want to go a little hotter on the plugs. Also bump the timing up a bit. Like I said before though, cold starting might be kind of a PITA.

 

realy informative. this the first i know of this stuff. i want to change the intake manifold anyway on my 460 it was rusty. so i can get a heated one hhm. any idea where i buy these parts and the fuel? whats the price? and whats the power like with it? promise i wont ask to many more questions...

really thank you.

 

what about the seals on the old engines can i have problems such as shrinkage and drying.? and is there zinc coated tanks and things to get damaged on a 73. whats is the price and where do you buy it?

 

From what I understand, the seals should be OK, if it's got a recent carburetor rebuild kit with new gaskets in it. A remanufactured fuel pump should work with ethanol. My theory is that if it works with the 10% ethanol you buy at the gas pump it should work with 85%. It will probably stir up some of the accumulated gunk in the gas tank, so a good cleaning is in order before use.

I'm not that familiar with the 460's, so I cant help much there. My interests are mostly in the FE's. So if you wanted to build that 390, stop by the FE forum.

Where to buy the fuel? Check here:

http://www.e85fuel.com/database/search.php

Power will be significantly more than gasoline. This comes from the fact that as it vaporizes, it cools the air and results in a denser air charge going into the cylinder. Also, if you increase the compression ratio of the motor, you get more power there too.

 

See this Automotive News article:
http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dl.../60217020/1003