Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines Converting a 230 to E85??

Has anyone else played around with the idea of converting an inline 6 to run on E-85? From what I understand the ethanol is rather corrosive so it is best to have stainless fuel lines, preferable a stainless gas tank and make sure the carburetor wont be damaged from the ethanol.

As far as carburetion it needs to run much richer than regular gas thus the jets might need to be enlarged. Also the timing should be slightly more advanced.

I have also read that to make a motor more efficient to run on E-85 the compression should be increased. Now E-85 needs a higher temp to vaporize and since the 230's manifolds are mated together this would be an advantage for having the higher vaporization temp right?

So basically I am thinking of converting one of my inlines to run on E-85. Although it depends if I want to go all out to tear it apart and increase compression, or just fiddle with the fuel delivery and timing. I would like to give it a try but don’t want to end up damaging my engine or having to do an early valve job since the motor I want to convert still runs on leaded gasoline. What do you guys think?

I have considered the same thing. Recent advances have been made in the ethanol production process which will make ethanol even more attractive: www.broin.com/pdfs/BROIN_PRESS_RELEASE.pdf

I would recommend getting a good book on carburetors and alcohol. For straight ethanol, you will need 63% more ethanol than gasoline per pound of air. You will need to increase fuel delivery all around. My Holley book concentrates on methanol but the modifications should be similar. Additional holes were drilled between the fuel bowl and main well to allow more fuel without larger jets. Larger needle and seat, larger accelerator pumps and shooters, and electric fuel pump. Less centrifugal advance and more additional advance.

I don't think stainless steel is required for ethanol but the correct rubber components are needed. In my experience with 10% ethanol, the ethanol dissolves rust in the tanks and lines which is falesly blamed as corrosion.

I have used E-85 In my AMC for about a year now with no problems.I put five gallons E-85 in with a 20 gallon fill up a few times a year.I run the spark up but make no other changes.Spark knock is gone.Last year they had a one day sale for a few hours to promote the fuel,85 cents a gallon no limit.The only problem i have found is your miles per gallon will fall,and some station owners do not want to sell it for use in an older car.In this area our small mail trucks run on it.