I am here in Brazil, there is 2 kinds of fuel available for cars..Gasoline (Gasolina) and Alcohol (Alcool) In any case the Gasoline is 25% Alcohol (so I am told) My question is this: what kind of Alcohol is it? metanol or ethanol. what I do know its made from distilled sugar cane. Also, what mods need be done to the fuel system to run Alcohol? and this Gasoline thats 25% Alcohol... is it safe for my holly carb? etc etc.... James
Can't answer most of your questions, but if it's made from sugar cane, it's ethanol. Methanol is cracked from petroleum.
i think that brazil uses an ethanol base fuel (just like caifornia, though not as high a percentage). it would be interesting to see what it would take to convert an engine over to ethanol...or methanol for that matter.
btt someone here has to know something about using ethanol fuel, and what is needed to convert to it.
generally, IIRC straight alcohol will require 40% more volume than gas, so you need to jet up quite a bit. You also have to make sure ALL the rubber parts in your fuel sustem are alcohol compatible, lines, pump, carb, everything that comes into contact with fuel. You can also run more compression safely, and a bit more timing advance. Theres more to it than that, but those are the basics. There was a lengthy discussion here on this topic awhile back.
The reason I started this thread is : In the not so distant future I want to bring myself the parts/pieces to assemble a nasty little 302 or 351 ford,and throw it into a Maverick or ?? ...Speed parts are slim to none down here,and since I got a ton of SBF parts at home,it wouldnt be to hard to put something together. I just want to get it right the 1st time so I dont have any major issues when I try to run it here. in my mind I am thinkin about a late model roller shortblock,and maybe top it off with a pair of 2V cleveland heads...runnin on alcohol should be pretty nasty. james
Like has been mentioned, the alcohol you are talking about is most likely ethanol. I have the numbers at home to give you an idea for fuel enrichment, but I do know that the efficiency of ethanol is roughly 75% of straight gasoline, and 25% better than methanol, which by the way is distilled form wood, and not derived from petroleum. Ethanol can eat away at your fuel system, but it is not nearly as corrosive as methanol. You can get away with using a aluminum fuel tank, etc. I would suggest replacing whatever rubber you may have in the fuel system, though.
ok i am starting to get a little better grip on the alcohol/ethanol thing. fuel lines/tank/etc seems easy enuf...now i am just worried about the carb do i need to worry,about it corroding the inside of a standard holley carb? or just use some kind alcohol compatable "kit" for it? james
There really isn't much inside of a Holley to corrode, but I would replace the needles and seats. I know that at one time Holley sold a kit that included all new gaskets, the Buna-n N&S, power valve, etc. You will need to go up in jet sizes, but not drastically. Like has already been said, ethanol is less efficient than gasoline, but it is only about a 25% difference. Not huge. And if it is only a 25% mix, there really shouldn't be that big of a deal.
Sounds like using my carbs from home is do-able to me! the Gasoline here is a 25% mix and its R$ 2.40 a Liter but straight ethanol is what I want to run...and its onlt R$ 1.70 a liter (currently $1us = R$2.20) I will check into that holley kit you mentioned
One other thing . When the car sits for over 48 hrs or so the alcohol will start to corrode the parts of the carb and fuel pump. You will need to Pickle the system. I do this by installing a ball or shut off valve in the fuel line. I close the valve and run the engine /carb until its dry/ out of fuel.Watch out for water in the system as the alcohol will attract it. Change fuel filters reguraly and carry spares..As stated before jet big and lower mileage due to effenicy of ac fuels. the plus side it runs cooler and it makes more power... Bobby..
K9racer, what you are describing is very true for methanol, but not so for ethanol. Grain alcohol is not nearly as corrosive as wood alsohol is.
My 2000 Ford Ranger runs on E85 Ethanol. Truck was designed that way. Some older carb seals and some rubber hoses dont like ethanol, thats why most cars cant run it unless designed around it. When I build my Model A I plan to make it so it can run E85.
Summit racing carries all the stuff you will need for the carb .I'f I'm not mistaken they carry it all in one kit.you will need to change some things.If you run it the way it is the gaskets and other stuff will start to deterirate and get stuck in the neddle and seat.I was going to go that route with my street strip car at one time.If you call Summit they will help you out with everything you need.
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