Finnish
(stranger)
05/17/02 09:34 AM
subject: How strong
How strong does it need to be for a gasoline engine to run on ethanol? Is 70% enough?
I was thinking of putting some in a lawn mower and see if it runs.
unclejesse
(newbie)
06/04/02 03:56 PM
Re: How strong [re: Finnish]
160 proof is considered the lowest. you'll need to lean it out a lot - more air! this stuff burns far more clean than gasoline. if you're converting a car you will need to put larger jets into the carb. also you'll need a fuel pre-heater if it gets below 40F in your area.
It was the whiskey talkin', not me.
Anonymous
(Unregistered)
10/08/02 07:42 PM
Re: How strong [re: unclejesse]
The local circle track racers here use methanol. I'm not sure of the proof. I assume it's very high as the fuel ignites easily. Holly makes carburetors specifically for alcohol. Carburetors designed for gasoline may not have gaskets and seals which are compatible with alcohol. From what I understand it takes almost twice the volume of methanol to equal the power of race gasoline.
Just my $0.02
unclejesse
07/26/03 02:02 PM
Re: How strong [re: Anonymous]
you need about 60% more air so you have to rejet a carb to work with ethanol. you also need a pre-heater if it's under 40 degrees, i believe. you also pull all the smog stuff off, no more need for that.
Free_Loader
(Unregistered)
09/05/03 11:20 PM
Re: How strong [re: unclejesse]
hmmm ..sounds like alot of work for tinkering with the family car .... but perhaps the lawn mower........ at least if i got it to work i could at least produce fuel faster than i would use it ...... can grass clippings be fermented and distilled into fuel ..... perhaps i should just go to sleep .. it's ususally these sort of things that get me in trouble
Anonymous
(Unregistered)
09/24/03 06:08 AM
Re: How strong [re: Free_Loader]
So how do you spell trouble free_loader? Sounds like fun to me, a lawnmower would be a great place to start (I'm thinking about challenging my neighbour to a race on our ride-on mowers, ethanol may just be the edge I need...!
Now I'm thinking I know how to spell trouble...
In all seriousness, I have thought about fuelling my mowers, chainsaws, etc.. with alternative fuels but have never been brave enough to put what are fairly expensive investments to the test. If there is anyone out there who has had success with using alternative fuels I would be very curious to hear about your experiences on this forum.
Cheers,
Beaker
AnalWaste
(stranger)
01/04/04 07:34 AM
Re: How strong [re: Finnish]
57.1% alcohol at 60 degrees fahrenheit, the amount of alcohol required, when combined with water, to allow combustion.
Anonymous
(Unregistered)
02/06/04 03:31 PM
Re: How strong [re: Anonymous]
Why not buy a cheap strimmer, or even a model airplane engine to try. I build small ic engines, and I am really interested in brewing my own fuel for them.
Blanchy
(member)
06/08/04 03:52 PM
Re: How strong [re: Anonymous]
There is a cheat that you can use for fuel alcohol where you add the hydrous alcohol to gasoline. The gasoline takes up most of the alcohol and leaves a liquid behind that is water and alcohol with gasoline contaminant that can then be reprocessed.
Chuck
Anonymous
(Unregistered)
06/11/04 05:12 AM
Re: How strong [re: unclejesse]
You can avoid installing a heater by just wrapping the fuel line around the exhaust pipe a couple of times.
MyDBear
(newbie)
08/01/04 05:27 AM
Re: How strong [re: Anonymous]
Not a very good idea. Did you ever hear of vapor lock. Well that is what would happen if you wraped your gas line around your exhaust pipe. Plus I dont think that is the kind of fuel pre-heater that unclejessie was talking about. (pre - heat before ya fire it up not boil it after ya get going)
pothead
(enthusiast)
08/01/04 05:33 AM
Re: How strong [re: MyDBear]
you only really need a pre-heater if the temperatures are cold outside(for starting reasons). Using a secondary gas tank with a small amount of gasoline works well. By the time the engine is started it is warm enough to switch back to alcohol.