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E-85 fuel in new Carb?

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86-350-460-dually

E-85 fuel in new Carb?

I am installing a new carburator in the truck tomorrow. I was reading the manual today and it says in all caps "DO NOT USE E-85 GAS WITH THIS CARBURATOR!"

Although I realize the long term effects of this, but what about the short term? I have a tank full of E-85 fuel currently (about 18 gallons). Should I find a way to pump the fuel out, or is one tank not enough to do damage? Is it a 'dont make a habit out of E-85 sort of thing?'

Sorry for the amateur question.

Adam

1986 F-350, Dually 4WD, C/C with the 460/7.5L

grumpin

Re: E-85 fuel in new Carb?

Good question.

My first thought is I would put some Lucas fuel treatment in it and get rid of the gas that's in it.
Won't take long!

https://lucasoil.com/products/fuel-treatments/safeguard-ethanol-fuel-conditioner-with-stabilizers

Dane
1986 F250HD SC XLT Lariat 4x4 460 C6-Sold
1992 Bronco XLT 4x4 351W E4OD
1998 GMC Sierra SLE K1500 350 4L60E
Arizona

Gary Lewis

Re: E-85 fuel in new Carb?

Administrator

I agree. Put some of the conditioner in and then burn the gas. But I wouldn't use any ethanol after that as one guy on FB said his Edelbrocks have died from it. And the fact that it says not to use E85 is significant.

Here in the only state that is OK we have lots of 100% gas available. That's all I use, in all our vehicles.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

FuzzFace2

Re: E-85 fuel in new Carb?

I thought E85 was to be used ONLY in newer cars/trucks, flex fuel?
Heck I will not use E15 in my 02 Dodge with EFI and the pumps says it is ok.

What kind of MPG you getting between the E85, E15 and what most can get E10 and if you can the good old stuff?
They say the higher the % of E the worst the MPG?

I would say if you are going to run that tank thru it in 1 shot, say long trip, I don't think it would be an issue then go with normal fuel.
The reason behind it is the fuel is not sitting in the bowl eating away at it it is just passing thru.
It is the "E" in E15 or E85 that does in the older fuel systems both the rubber & metal parts not made for it.

Just my take on it.
Dave ----

Dave G.
81 F100 flare side 300 six / AA OD / NP435 / 2.75 gear
http://cars.grantskingdom1.com/index.php/1980-Ford-F100?page=1
81 F100 style side 300 six/SROD parts truck -RIP
http://cars.grantskingdom1.com/index.php/1981-Ford-F100

Gary Lewis

Re: E-85 fuel in new Carb?

Administrator

Yes, that was my assumption as well - that the fuel would be burned pretty quickly.

And, I agree that E85 should not be used in these trucks. The fuel lines were not designed for it. In fact, even smaller percentages of ethanol hurt the hoses. As an example, when I got Dad's truck it was dripping gas from the rear tank. I investigated and the hose from the tank to the hard line was so gooey that gas was dripping right through the wall of the hose. And when I pulled the hose off I wadded it up in a ball and it stayed that way.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

86-350-460-dually

Re: E-85 fuel in new Carb?

In reply to this post by 86-350-460-dually

Thanks for the responses everyone! I will figure out a way to get that E85 out of there and get some non ethanol gas in!

Adam

1986 F-350, Dually 4WD, C/C with the 460/7.5L

Nothing Special

Re: E-85 fuel in new Carb?

Expanding on what Dave touched on... Are you sure it's E85? I would assume a vehicle you are putting a carb on is not a "flex fuel" vehicle (only some newer vehicles can use E85), so it probably shouldn't have had E85 in it to begin with.

E15 is much more likely, and I wouldn't worry about running it through the new carb.

Bob
Sorry, no '80 - '86 Ford trucks
"Oswald": 1997 F-250HD crew cab short box, 460, E4OD, 4.10 gears
"Pluto": 1971 Bronco, 302, NV3550 5 speed, Atlas 4.3:1 transfer case, 33" tires
"the motorhome": 2015 E-450-based 28' class C motorhome, 6.8L V-10
"the Dodge": 2007 Dodge 2500, 6.7L Cummins

86-350-460-dually

Re: E-85 fuel in new Carb?

IMG_20181221_112657.jpg

I apologize, because I have NO CLUE how Gary gets these images up here without a link, but that is a photo of the fuel pumps around here. E85 is what I usually use, and I have since learned that it horrendous for these old trucks.

Adam

1986 F-350, Dually 4WD, C/C with the 460/7.5L

Gary Lewis

Re: E-85 fuel in new Carb?

Administrator

Here's how:

1. Put your cursor where you want the pic and click the Insert Image icon

2. If your pic is on a drive on your computer click Choose File and follow the promps. If not, paste the URL into the "Or copy an image from the internet" line

3. Click Insert Image. And if you get a message saying that the file is too large, like your file is, then click the radio button for Big Size and click Insert Image again.

Give it a try on that pic?

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

86-350-460-dually

Re: E-85 fuel in new Carb?

Did it work?

Adam

1986 F-350, Dually 4WD, C/C with the 460/7.5L

86-350-460-dually

Re: E-85 fuel in new Carb?

You're a rockstar Gary! Thanks!

Adam

1986 F-350, Dually 4WD, C/C with the 460/7.5L

Gary Lewis

Re: E-85 fuel in new Carb?

Administrator

A rock star because I know how to use my own forum?

Anyway, by "E85" do you mean the gas that comes by pushing the 85 button? If so, that gas does have ethanol, but it will be no more than 10%. The 85 refers to the octane. That gas isn't good on the carb, but it is far less corrosive than true E85, which has 85% ethanol.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

86-350-460-dually

Re: E-85 fuel in new Carb?

Are you kidding me!? This entire time I assumed E-85 meant the 85 button! Oh my goodness. I called edelbrock technical support about my concerns of using E-85 and if I had to syphon my fuel tank out before I set up my new carb, and they practically yelled at me haha! I got yelled at for no reason? Haha

Adam

1986 F-350, Dually 4WD, C/C with the 460/7.5L

86-350-460-dually

Re: E-85 fuel in new Carb?

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

I spent the majority of today syphoning out my fuel tank today. It was NOT easy haha.

So what fuel does everyone use when ethanol free is unavailable temporarily?

Adam

1986 F-350, Dually 4WD, C/C with the 460/7.5L

Gary Lewis

Re: E-85 fuel in new Carb?

Administrator

All's well that ends well. You won't hurt the carb at all.

As for what I use when I can't push that "88" or equivalent button and get pure gasoline, I use the ethanol stuff. And it depends on what truck I'm in and what I'm doing w/it as to which octane I get. Big Blue is ok running around light on 87 octane. But if you hitch the trailer up you HAVE TO go to 91 or 92 octane or it'll knock, not just ping. (I think the advance curve is set for EGR.) But as soon as I can I pump it full of pure gasoline.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

86-350-460-dually

Re: E-85 fuel in new Carb?

If you're towing, do you prefer the 91 or the ethanol free? I'm assuming the ethanol free, but just making sure.

Adam

1986 F-350, Dually 4WD, C/C with the 460/7.5L

Gary Lewis

Re: E-85 fuel in new Carb?

Administrator

LOL! Here I can get 91 ethanol free. And when I'm towing that's what I use. But, if that wasn't available I'd still have to have the 91 octane, so I'd take the 10% ethanol stuff.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

86-350-460-dually

Re: E-85 fuel in new Carb?

You speak of luxurious gas pumps that only some of us can dream about. Haha.

Adam

1986 F-350, Dually 4WD, C/C with the 460/7.5L

Gary Lewis

Re: E-85 fuel in new Carb?

Administrator

You will understand - in May.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

85lebaront2

Re: E-85 fuel in new Carb?

Administrator

In reply to this post by 86-350-460-dually

Here we have several stations that carry ethanol free gas, but we are on a long narrow peninsula with large bodies of water on both sides (Chesapeake Bay on the West and the Atlantic Ocean on the East). I use the 10% ethanol in Darth, the Taurus and Flex. All my small engines get ethanol free premium. I wish the damn Iowa corn farmers lobby hadn't convinced the EPA that that crap was good for us. FWIW, here is what the inside of a gas tank that sat with 10% ethanol in it.

This is from a 1967 Mustang converted to EFI, this first picture is inside the tank with a borescope, second is the fuel pump from it.

Bill AKA "LOBO" Profile

"Getting old is inevitable, growing up is optional" Darth Vader 1986 F350 460 converted to MAF/SEFI, E4OD 12X3 1/2 rear brakes, traction loc 3:55 gear, 160 amp 3G alternator Wife's 2011 Flex Limited Daily Driver 2009 Flex Limited with factory tow package Project car 1986 Chrysler LeBaron convertible 2.2L Turbo II, modified A413