Anyone consider an E85 conversion?
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 0
From: Northeast Nebraska
UPDATE:
I ran 50/50 E85 in my 79 F-150 2wd 460 and it ran fine. I tried a tank at 100% E85 and it chugged bad at low speeds. I advanced the timing and it didnt help. I think it may need to be re-jetted if I want to run 100% E85.
I ran 50/50 E85 in my 79 F-150 2wd 460 and it ran fine. I tried a tank at 100% E85 and it chugged bad at low speeds. I advanced the timing and it didnt help. I think it may need to be re-jetted if I want to run 100% E85.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Check this out please!
Real good info on conversions and use of Gasohol and E85 in older vehicles is here:
http://www.answers.com/topic/e85
The technical info you need is there, probably more than you can use!
Real good info on conversions and use of Gasohol and E85 in older vehicles is here:
http://www.answers.com/topic/e85
The technical info you need is there, probably more than you can use!
Last edited by Torque1st; May 18, 2006 at 06:35 AM.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 754
Likes: 3
From: Idaho
http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel_...rth/meToC.html this site has some interesting subject matter you just have to dig past the screaming liberal crap! had another one that dealt more with the mechanics but cant seem to find it if I do i'll post it
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 987
Likes: 2
From: East Bend, Carolina, U.S
The main problems with E85 is the corrosion it can cause on plain steel gas system parts, rubber lines, fuel pump and the carburetor. Aside from that it is just a matter of fine tuning or building and engine specifically for ethanol.
As with any modifications you apply to a vehicles engine, you must be aware of local restrictions. Now we are looking at using a fuel in a vehicles engine that wasn't designed for it. I think it is a good idea to see how emissions laws apply here. It really doesn't matter what has been said here at FTE on this issue, you better check your local emissions regulations before you assume anything.
Anyone remember when it was first announced to be unlawful to use leaded fuel in a vehicle that was built for unleaded fuel only? Just a freindly FYI here.
As with any modifications you apply to a vehicles engine, you must be aware of local restrictions. Now we are looking at using a fuel in a vehicles engine that wasn't designed for it. I think it is a good idea to see how emissions laws apply here. It really doesn't matter what has been said here at FTE on this issue, you better check your local emissions regulations before you assume anything.
Anyone remember when it was first announced to be unlawful to use leaded fuel in a vehicle that was built for unleaded fuel only? Just a freindly FYI here.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Originally Posted by Purely Ford
...Anyone remember when it was first announced to be unlawful to use leaded fuel in a vehicle that was built for unleaded fuel only? Just a freindly FYI here.
Regarding legality, -one government site I saw did mention it was illegal to use a fuel not designed for the vehicle.
Please check out that link I listed above it has a TON of good information in it that people have been asking. Lots of technical information, charts, tables, material specs, etc, etc. More info than you can handle!
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 0
From: Northeast Nebraska
My truck says unleaded fuel only. E-85 is unleaded so I think its ok.lol But seriously I live in Nebraska and not far from where I work theres 2 stations with E-85 and its typically about $.40 cheaper per gallon. And new ethanol plants are popping up left and right around here so hopefully the price will come down a little. Also we dont have inspections nor as much government bs like other states. As for corrosion, I havent had any problems yet but if I do I will let you guys know.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,335
Likes: 6
From: Midwest
yeah,the only benifit around here for running e-85 is enviornment purposes,there is only 8 cents different in the price of 87 octane gas and e-85. that doesn't justify the cost of a new vehicle or converting one to e-85
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 232
Likes: 1
From: 40min from Charlotte NPD.
I know I'm replying to an old post but I have just read the whole thing and have a couple of questions...
I am thinking about adding a second factory fuel tank to Effy and running ethanol in one and regular in the other. My carb is recently rebuilt so it will be compatible and I have huge jets in it so it will run the ethanol fine, I also have higher compression heads off of a post... 82? engine. My thought process here is I can start the truck on regular fuel and switch to ethanol for long trips after my engine is warm. My reason for wanting to do this is not money but the fact that we can grow a crop of corn in six months rather than oil taking six million years.
Any thoughts or advice?
I am thinking about adding a second factory fuel tank to Effy and running ethanol in one and regular in the other. My carb is recently rebuilt so it will be compatible and I have huge jets in it so it will run the ethanol fine, I also have higher compression heads off of a post... 82? engine. My thought process here is I can start the truck on regular fuel and switch to ethanol for long trips after my engine is warm. My reason for wanting to do this is not money but the fact that we can grow a crop of corn in six months rather than oil taking six million years.
Any thoughts or advice?
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
Back in the late 70's, ADM did testing on a Ford Fiesta, making it run exclusively on E100. I did a report on this back in 92, but can not seem to find the info any more, but they used a washer bottle with gasoline in it to get the motor to fire at low temps, and then it would run on the ethanol immediately, all the gasoline was used for was to get it to fire up. I don't recall the numbers, and won't just throw them out there as far as mileage was concerned, but the numerous ethanol challenges conducted at different colleges show that a purpose built motor can actually exceed the current gasoline mileage ratings. That was the purpose of the studies, to see if it could be done. The biggest issue at this time is actually availability of the ethanol. That is why the dual purpose motors, which don't do that well at doing dual purpose, much like the dual fuel propane motors didn't do that well either, but a purpose built motor would.
Something else to ponder: when I was living in South Dakota several years ago, I had filled my 83 Trans Am carbureted 305 with E85 the night before it got to 10 below one night. It fired pretty much the same as any other time.
Something else to ponder: when I was living in South Dakota several years ago, I had filled my 83 Trans Am carbureted 305 with E85 the night before it got to 10 below one night. It fired pretty much the same as any other time.
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 232
Likes: 1
From: 40min from Charlotte NPD.
Thanks, I was in fact thinking about E100 and was planing on home brew as I already have a very efficient homemade still. This is something I am just thinking about for the future when Effy is no longer my daily driver and I can keep her in the "barn" except for the Sunday drives and car shows.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
Problem with your own still is hte licensing, and the reason for the 15% gasoline is to prevent people from drinking the fuel. I had talked to a plant operator at one time to do some testing on my own vehicles, and was informed of that particular rule...they couldn't sell direct to anyone for that rule, it had to go to a fuel blender first. Not to mention the massive flow rate they have...
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
You do realize E85 will lower your mpg quite a bit? Only way I'd use E85 is on a race engine with higher compression setup to utilize the high octane fuel. Too many cons to ethanol IMO especially on the moisture end. Just another example of the goverment pushing something that they don't know anything about. Burning our food makes no sense to me whatsover. Just a bandaid to make it look like somethings being done.
Certified Thread Hijacker
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,441
Likes: 59
E85 is 30-35% less efficient. Which means if gas is $2.50 you'll need to find E85 for under $1.75 to break even.
Just hopped on my mountain bike and strolled over to the station near my house right now and they have regular unleaded for $2.49 and E85 for $2.05.
Josh
Just hopped on my mountain bike and strolled over to the station near my house right now and they have regular unleaded for $2.49 and E85 for $2.05.
Josh
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 232
Likes: 1
From: 40min from Charlotte NPD.
My carb is recently rebuilt so it will be compatible and I have huge jets in it so it will run the ethanol fine, I also have higher compression heads off of a post... 82? engine.
My reason for wanting to do this is not money but the fact that we can grow a crop of corn in six months rather than oil taking six million years.
My reason for wanting to do this is not money but the fact that we can grow a crop of corn in six months rather than oil taking six million years.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
64Futura
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Nov 5, 2014 11:58 PM
