I am thinking about what I would need to do (if it is wise at all) to start using E85 in my 92 F150 w/ I6. Has anyone tried that locally?

 

Haven't but I wouldn't try it with a non-flex fuel truck either. The I6 is a beast, and will likely take it (because it takes the worst abuse man can devise and still runs) , but I don't know how the electronics are going to like it.

 

Hey mkmchu-

We are www.change2E85.com and are located in Thornton about 10 miles north of Denver. We have E85 Conversion Kits for your I6. I'm heading to the Springs Nov 1st to train our new resellers and installers. Take a look at our website and contect us with any Q's. We can even schedule a meeting and you can see one of our converted vehicles.

BTW- E85 is $1.99 at the Western Convenience. www.milehighE85.com

 

Can you convert a 292 Y-block to run E-85?

 

We can convert almost anything that is fuel injected.

 

How about carburated?

 

I would recommend that you talk to the guys on gearheadradio.com about that. The are on the air Saturday mornings from 10-11am. It can be done.

 

Converting Carbbed engines isnt just a simple "instalation of parts" so alot of shops or people dont do it.

I know entire fuel system (tank, lines, filters, pumps, etc..) have to be converted also the needle and seat, jets, carb floats etc need to be changed and tuned to the E85. An engine requires more E85 to run than it does gas. I think it is about 1 gallon of unleaded gas burned by an engine = 1.5 gallons of E85 or Ethanol burned.

A carb would need to have internals that could handle the E85 (eats up parts , unlike gas) and would also need to be jetted, and have an idle mixture that was richer (or fatter) than running gas.

I am really wondering , if by the time someone fattens up the carb to run on E85, and with the 1.5:1 gallon burned ratio, if there would be MUCH or ANY benefit in mileage.

It sure would smell good though.

 

Hate to tell you but you are mis-informed. This is ethanol, not methanol. Everyone is applying the nasty chacteristics of methanol to ethanol. Converting a carburated vehicle is easy for the average wrench head. The guys on GEAR HEAD RADIO do E85 conversion on hot rods and old muscle cars. Most guys don't do it because they think that ethanol will kill the engine. Truth is it won't. If you are in the Denver area, you can goto Seyfer Automotive and they can advise you if they can do a conversion for you. You can also call into the NAPA radio show on Saturday mornings. They answer all questions.

Also the ruduction in fuel economy in a carburated vehilce is 20-30%. Not 50%. E85 also smells nasty. They don't want some ******** drinking it.

 

Not misinformed at all...look at your companies own FAQ section LOL

Also, how are you guys getting around the EPA? Did you guys get EPA certified to convert vehicles to run on E85?

The EPA says in short that converting a vehicle that has to meet emission rules to run on a fuel other than it was originally manufactured to run is tampering with the emission system, and a violation of federal law. The last i knew they only 'approved' one company to do the conversions, and they were only approved to do fleet service vehicles.

 

Our website does not have an FAQ section. If you read the whole paragraph you are refering to, you would not be lol. It's called a myth section, not a fact section. Once again you are mis-informed. For those who are curious, here is the myth he his referring to:

Myth #10: Using E85 ethanol will get 50% less mileage per tank.

There are some stories floating around about 50% reduction in mileage or twice as much ethanol is needed. Some of the automakers who introduced Flex vehicles did a terrible job with the fuel management systems that mileage did decrease as much as 50%. After some trial and error, the automakers have significantly improved their Flex systems and mileage conservation is within reasonable losses such as 5-15%. Conversion Kits like the Full Flex have been around for over 20 years. Realistic losses range from 5-15% as well.

The rules for conversion do require EPA certification in a black and white world. The cost of full certification is around $200 million dollars. Full Flex has at the recomendation of the EPA obtained OBD2 compliance which it has achevied for 2007 and is in the process of for 2008. The EPA wants this technology to become mainstream since their objective is to protect the environment. Ethanol conversions are technology which can do so. The EPA is permitting Full Flex to sell as long as testing, cooperating, and data sharing continues. If the EPA were to shut down companies like Full Flex, this technology would cease to exist since the EPA does not have the funding to do the testing on their own. The more conversions that are sold, the more testing that will be done and the EPA does not have to dip into their already underfunded agency's budget. The EPA could ask all conversion companies to cease sales immedaitely, however they know that will hurt Amercian farmers, Amercains, the environment, the economy and will help big oil and foreign countries who don't like us very much get richer.

What do you have for me next?