Shouldn't E-85 be able to run through any carburetor fed engine? ?

Question

It has been a very long time since I practiced my old hobby of building cars. Since then, I have returned to college and am making less money - not to mention that fuel prices have increased since I built my last high horsepower car. I want to build another one. However, I do not wish for the rockets on wheels I used to be able to afford . Rather, I would like a mild build. Simply a beautiful old car, maybe with a 283 bolted to a 350 turbo with a 4:11 differential rear end. Nothing spectacular, just a pretty grocery getter. I would like for this car to run off of E-85 for obvious economical reasons. Am I right to assume that pretty much any clean and properly functioning carb can run E-85 with proper tuning? Of course, I would have to fine tune the fuel pressure with an FP valve. The choke, etc would have to have to be fine tuned to the new fuel to provide the engine with just the right amount of fuel to avoid starving and flooding, I assume. Of course, the higher octane energy of E-85 would certainly mean a nice after market electric fan. It is getting one any way. And also tranny fluid and oil radiators as well. I am not trying to answer my own questions. Only to solicit knowledge from folks who know what I am talking about. Please send me your thoughts. And thanks for your time.

Answer 1

The car you describe would run on E-85, for a while. The problem is that the alcohol level is so high in E-85 that normal gaskets and hoses get eaten up by it.

And the timing would need to be adjusted, even with the sensors and computer, the system would need to be set up for it.

Running it with a manual system you describe is possible, but you will need to make sure the whole thing is right, I can see you burning a valve or scorching a piston pretty easy.

Answer 2

Any internal combustion engine will run on E85 but since the power output is much lower with alcohol vs gasoline you won't see any savings when you drive. Alcohol burns cooler than gas which will likely mean different carb jetting to deal with, possibly even a different thermostat. With today's modern vehicles the computer systems measure the air/fuel mixtures after measuring air pressure, temps, combustion burn rates, etc, etc., so all the really hard stuff is done automatically. Honestly, the best system you can put on an older vehicle is a complete bolt-on electronic fuel injection & ignition conversion package. Fuel mileage will increase, HP will leap upwards and the car will start in any weather condition first time and run flawlessly for thousands of miles. It'll cost you about two grand but it will make for one sweet ride.

Answer 3

>> I would like for this car to run off of E-85 for obvious economical reasons.

That is a myth. E85 (85% alcohol) has less energy per gallon than gasoline. About 1/3 less. So unless you get about 1/3 discount, it is NOT economical.

E85 is mostly corrosive so the tank and fuel system has to be e85 compatible.  Also unless you have electronic fuel injection, the car would be stuck in E85 mode.

Good luck...

Answer 4

E-85 is a joke. You lose a minimum of 20% economy. Do the math, it doesn't jive