e87 gas

[longshot2171]

Has anyone ever tried to run pure E87 or a home brew mix of E87 and regular gas in a m37? With the price of gas rising and a low mpg, I was wondering if it would work, but I don't want to damage my truck.

[Lifer]

If you have any real rubber components in your fuel line (such as fuel pump diaphragm, carb accelerator pump, etc.) do not use E85. The alcohol will literally destroy the rubber parts. I wouldn't even suggest running 10% ethanol if you have rubber components.

If your "rubber" components are really neoprene or some similar synthetic, then you couild probably run 10% ethanol without too many ill effects, but I still wouldn't run E85. The reason is that an engine running on alcohol runs hotter than it would on straight gasoline. Gas also provides more horsepower than a gas/alcohol mix. The more alcohol you have, the greater the power loss. Our trucks aren't known for having a lot of power, anyway, so why make it worse?

[mattveeder]

Do your self a favor and dont do it. E85 is alochol based and will destroy your fuel system. Plus it has a greater octane rating than even high test. I have a chevy S-10 that is flex fuel and it is not all great. The fuel system parts are very expensive. It runs great on E85 but the mileage doesnot warrant the cheaper fuel. It is cheaper for me to run regular.

[longshot2171]

hey guys, thanks for the advice. I'm glad I posted before I gave It a try.

[vtdeucedriver]

Hey guys, its getting hard to find stations without ethanol..............The station here in town that was bringing it down from canada is no longer allowed to do that.........................What are you guys doing to take care of this problem. I ran my M37 today and I have nothing but local gas that is ethanol.................she did run like crap on it thats for sure.

[MSeriesRebuild]

Hey guys, its getting hard to find stations without ethanol..............The station here in town that was bringing it down from canada is no longer allowed to do that.........................What are you guys doing to take care of this problem. I ran my M37 today and I have nothing but local gas that is ethanol.................she did run like crap on it thats for sure.

Convert it over to a diesel engine, problem solved for good, and get WAAAAAAAAAY better fuel economy and more power to boot.

[k8icu]

One problem with that Charles....he is restoring the truck to original.....

Just make sure you don't have real rubber parts and buy a higher octain.

[cuz]

Mix 100LL Avgas in with your 87 10% ethanol. The avgas will give you back the lead you have been missing for years and the octane will level out around 87 to 90. I've been running this mix for over 20 years with no problems. Only drawback is the price of the avgas.

[MSeriesRebuild]

One problem with that Charles....he is restoring the truck to original.....

Just make sure you don't have real rubber parts and buy a higher octain.

Well, I only suggested a sure cure. I didn't read anything about a restoration at all, only a question of obtaining proper fuel. Purist restorations are indeed nice and I for 1 do enjoy building and looking at the 100% pure restorations, it is however getting harder for them to be realistic in these times in which we live. This gentleman has said it is an issue in his area to find suitable fuel, and that reality is only growing more realistic with each passing day. If the current group of----------- that are in Washington, DC has their way, gasoline as we have known it wouldn't exist next week.

The only real solutions, which have been mentioned here are not really accessible or practical for most people. Also mentioned is the higher cost, trouble of blending, etc that is involved. Real world practical solutions for older gas burners are quickly fading. If it will sit in a museum where the engine will be seldom started, that's one thing, if the owner intends to drive it, that is quite another when it comes to all the aggrevation of proper fuel in real world situations these days. Pulling in at the pump at the local watering hole and getting a fill up suitable for trouble free performance in these engines, well it's already hard in some areas as this gentleman has already realized, it will only become more widespread into other areas in the future.

Purist restorations are great, but are they practical any longer? Depends on the desired end use of the vehicle. Anyone building a truck should seriously look at this issue before they start. Just because we do many diesel conversions does not mean we are against the purist, we are here to offer the services cutomers desire. In doing so, we have five 230 rebuilds going on right now in various stages. I love building them, it's always a thrill to mount them on the test stand and crank them the first time for run in and final adjustment, etc. Whether they are the best choice with the end use in mind, well that is the owner's decision.

[Oddjob]

I know California has between 10%-15% ethanol most of the time mixed in with the regular gasoline... It's something if your keeping the old gear that you'd have to look at the parts that would be affected in the fuel system... On another note I have an Air Cooled VW and all of a sudden the mech. fuel pump went and I grabbed a nos rebuild kit out of tool box and fixed it up... and about a week later the fuel pump went again because the diaphragm was made of rubber... Replaced it with a neoprene unit and that problem hasn't reared it's ugly head again...

So where else are there rubber products in the fuel system...??? I guess would be a good question if someone were to want to run the E85...

[DJ]

All this Doomsday talk and worry that old gas powered vehicles will soon be obsolete and we'll be unable to drive them reminds me of the late 70's. There were gas station/ repair shops scattered all throught town,then came the computerized cars and most of them closed. You had to take your car to a dealer for repairs and the home mechanic was no more. Wasn't too long and diagnostic equipment became available ,and the non dealer repair shops came back. Now even the home mechanic can afford a scanner to use on his own vehicles. Tell a determined man he can't do something, and he'll find a way to. This country wasn't built by men who accepted what was offered them, but by men who were determined to get what they wanted. Tommorrow is the 4th of July or Independence Day . Nuff said!!!


DJ

[MSeriesRebuild]

All this Doomsday talk and worry that old gas powered vehicles will soon be obsolete and we'll be unable to drive them reminds me of the late 70's. There were gas station/ repair shops scattered all throught town,then came the computerized cars and most of them closed. You had to take your car to a dealer for repairs and the home mechanic was no more. Wasn't too long and diagnostic equipment became available ,and the non dealer repair shops came back. Now even the home mechanic can afford a scanner to use on his own vehicles. Tell a determined man he can't do something, and he'll find a way to. This country wasn't built by men who accepted what was offered them, but by men who were determined to get what they wanted. Tommorrow is the 4th of July or Independence Day . Nuff said!!!


DJ

You are correct on many fronts, however some points are a little harder to achieve than others. Back yard refineries blending older blends are not on every corner in my little area of the world. You don't know how much I wish your theory held water, but it's more like you are drawing water into a bucket with a tiny hole. There is reality whether or not we want to face up and realize it, at times I'm as guilty as anyone else when it comes to that, but none the less mine and your hopes and dreams don't matter when it comes to earthly things totally out of our hands, or at least out of my hands, I won't try to speak for others. The truth is there whether we want to realize it or not, gasoline as we have known it is dwindling away more and more, little by little. Issues are not new, in the flat head engines, it has caused valve issues, suitable replacement parts are out there to correct that, however it runs up the cost of rebuilds noticably if you do it right. More recently the rubber components issues have come up, that has also been addressed now, so we are good to go on that front, at least with the fuel in some areas. More issues are headed down the pike before long. The stronger blends of ethanol fuel have very different issues & effects as far as the ingestion of the by products many of which wind up in the crankcase that the oil has to deal with. More modern oils are blended with additive packages to better deal with these issues that are coming along. Many who don't keep up with technology and insist on running yesterday's oils will run into problems. It is never ending so it seems.

I would suggest all make their way to the polls and cast your votes this November, if more left wing Al Gore types find their way into power, the next big issue will be the banning of all the so called clunker vehicles. If that happens, then there will be no more issues that matter to our beloved trucks, they won't be allowed on the road.

[rixm37]

I agree with Charles VOTE. Even then there is no promise that we will not see legislation that will have a negative effect on older vehicles. In the latest issue of "Supply Line" June/July 2010, I carefully read the articles on the new Wisconsin HMV law. It is apparent that there are many people who find military vehicles, offensive and want them eliminated. And it is not just us, read "Hot Rod" and you will find similar threats against all older vehicles, and rods. These people are willing to work very hard too see us wiped out in the name of green and progress. It makes me sick to think of an automotive world comprised of little electric egg shaped cars but it is happening. Diesels aren't safe either ! look what happened to them since 2006 as a result of negative EPA rulings.
It took a massive effort in Wisconsin to just keep HMV's on the street, and now they are very limited in how they can be used. It all points to an attack on older vehicles whether it's gas additives, cash for clunkers, over zealous green fannatics, or just plain hate, we as a group must become more pro active in fighting for our hobby. So join the MVPA or other national group and become aware of the attack. AND VOTE for change in Washington and across the nation.

[MSeriesRebuild]

Great advice Rick, the ones who are seemingly sitting back enjoying the hobby and paying no attention to the GREENIES are running a huge risk, a message to all like Rick said, GET INVOLVED and educated.

By the way Rick, the truck the engine and trans you got from us came out of was picked up by its owner on June 25th. He went directly to the StarCity MotorMadness Rally at Roanoke,VA to display the truck where it caught the eye of the Speed Channel's host of "My Classic Car", Dennis Gage, who was making his rounds at the show. The truck was chosen as one of 5 vehicles out of hundreds of show entries for filming and owner interview. He sent some pictures his wife took during the interview that we will have up on our site before long as soon as I can get things together. Doug said the highly detailed show quality paint we did is what caught Dennis' eye. I'm told the episode of My Classic Car featuring the truck will air sometime next spring. Of course we have no idea how it may be edited, we'll see. The fact the truck was worthy of them asking for an interview is a great honor for us and the owner's, Doug & Kelli Crickey of Dawsonville,GA.

[rixm37]

That is fantastic news Charles, An M37 getting the attention of a national TV show. I like my classic car and Dennis is fun to watch. I can't wait to see the episode. I bet that My Classic Car has a web site that will have a show schedule.......just back from a quick web search..... AND here it is http://www.myclassiccar.com/.
Congratulations to M Series Rebuild and the Crickeys !!