Open Discussion: How to protect your classic car from modern ethanol fuel problems

[ojh]

I rebuild lots of carbs and they only problem I can identify is the old hose deteriorating and fouling the carb etc, I suspect the hoses are falling apart anyway and that ethanol is being blamed.

There are a few parts inside carbs that get wonky when the fuel dries, like accelerator pump materials. I used to advise to drain the carb and add wd40 until it'll squirt thru the accelerator pump circuit but I have seen the odd occasion where the accerator pump material will stick to the sides of the chamber in which it rides, kinda glueing it, and then the pump gasket will tear. That has been rare and I haven't been able to test and advise a better lubricant.

Dried fuel has always been a problem, ethanol or not. The newer fuels leave less residue when they dry out, I have seen holley teapots so plugged the jets looked like 2 mounds in the snow and that was long before ethanol.

[Guest 1987]

Well I agree with not being too worried about it... My personal big concern is what oil to use in a 1950 chevy 235 that has run straight 30 since rebuilt in 1991. My gut tells me that's the wrong oil and it should have a multi grade detergent. I love how my 2010 car says what oil on the cap, and can run on anything combustabe.

But back to gas: if you are gonna put "whatever" in it, just be prepared for the little issues that may arise. And it wouldn't hurt to keep a bottle stabelizer in the trunk...

Edited March 8, 2014 by 1987 (see edit history)