E-85
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2009
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E-85
this has probably been beat into the ground but i did a search and only 2 treads came up with none of the info im looking for.
so my newly acquired 86 f250 has a 351ho....(special i know) 
and i am going to buy a new carb for it because it has a edlebrock on there that i put on it a long time ago when my dad owned it
i have looked and im thinking about this one Quick Fuel Q-750-E85 Quick Fuel E85 Carburetors
i have had race cars that ran methanol...
so i guess my question is.. is any one here running e-85 and do these old engines have enough compression or does that matter?
i know it takes more e-85 blah blah that really doesnt matter to me
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 8,521
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From: Lost
Never done an E85 system myself. Aside from the jetting issue that you already seem to be aware of, there's a few other things that need to be addressed.
Fuel lines and fuel pumps will need to be compatible with ethanol, as that stuff is rather hard on older parts.
The engine itself shouldn't need any special mods to run the ethanol, and the 15% gas content helps to address the cold starting issue seen with 100% ethanol or methanol, but there could be minor problems during extreme cold weather.
Once the fuel system has been addressed, and contains ethanol compatible parts, and the carb jetting is right, it should work just fine most of the time.
Of course, there is the whole lower MPG issue, and you also seem to be aware of that.
Fuel lines and fuel pumps will need to be compatible with ethanol, as that stuff is rather hard on older parts.
The engine itself shouldn't need any special mods to run the ethanol, and the 15% gas content helps to address the cold starting issue seen with 100% ethanol or methanol, but there could be minor problems during extreme cold weather.
Once the fuel system has been addressed, and contains ethanol compatible parts, and the carb jetting is right, it should work just fine most of the time.
Of course, there is the whole lower MPG issue, and you also seem to be aware of that.
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,697
Likes: 3
From: Marengo, Iowa
In order to capitalize on the higher octane of the E 85, the motor needs higher compression. It will run ok on it, but the mileage will suffer due to the compression issue. You can turn up the timing a bit though. The only concerns with the fuel system is natural rubber and some plastics. If you use neoprene seals and lined hoses, it will be fine. Goodyear sells a fuel injection hose with the blue lining, that is what you need to deal with the ethanol. Autozone has carried it, but seems we get mixed with natural rubber hoses sometimes for the injection hose. The steel tank and pipes will be ok, even though some will tell you it has to be stainless, I have yet to see rust in any of my tanks, and my whole family plays around with the E 85. I have run it in my 83 T/A with an electronic carb, as well as many injected vehicles.
The volume of the pump shouldn't really be an issue, especially if you don't have a feedback line. You won't be going through that much more fuel...
The volume of the pump shouldn't really be an issue, especially if you don't have a feedback line. You won't be going through that much more fuel...
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2009
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sweet thanks for the info ive never really swapped a street car from one fuel to the other... its just been the racecars where we tossed one carb off for another
im not real sure the price of e85 here where i live
