Gas with Ethanol or Pure Gas?

Dave Young

Dave Young

Member
Another newbie question here ... Is it acceptable to use regular gas containing ethanol in my model A? The man who sold me the car, when asked, said ‘Sure, any regular gas is fine’ ... I never questioned this assuming he knew what he was talking about.

Today, I met a man who said ... ‘Whatever you do, don’t use any gas that contains ethanol in your model A. Go out of your way and find someone selling pure gas.’

So now, of course, I’ve got a half a tank if gas that contains ethanol and the car has apparently been run on it for quite some time. What’s the story?

Can some of the experts here put me straight. Thanks.
 
the problem I had once with 10 % ethanol is it absorbs water and it once formed a glob of water at the bottom of my sediment bowl and carb. So I guess if it's left it could cause rusting of tank. Also it's said to attack rubber/flexi fuel hoses etc but none of those in a Model A fuel system. Use ordinary fuel if poss, but a Model A will runs on ethanol
 
Here in NJ it's all there is, once I learned to shut off the fuel before backing into the garage (run carb dry)---if I didn't run it dry a black goo would form on the tip of the jets if I let it sit a month ---I have a totally stock fuel system, no modifications from original, rund vand drives fine, always finishes a parade (

It will run leaner, possibly need more "GAV"
 
I have an engine that has travelled 24,000 miles on mostly e10. No problems. I am not an expert and others will have different views. To me life is too short to worry about it.
It does need richer mixture.
John
 
I've had NO problems with Ethanol. "Maybe" we bottle & sell the Gas Additive to the DRUNKS & put the GOOD stuff in the GAS????
Bill Suspicious
 
john in illinois said:
I have an engine that has travelled 24,000 miles on mostly e10. No problems. I am not an expert and others will have different views. To me life is too short to worry about it.
It does need richer mixture.
John
Click to expand...

I agree, never a problem. I also use STP in gas. I believe it helps. Enjoy.

I ment to say Marvel Mystery Oil, not STP. See what age will do. Enjoy.
 
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No issues here. I have a 2 gal can that runs my frame that the e10 sits in all winter. Fires right up the following year. I do run the carb dry as its good practice if the car is gonna sit. Ironically my new truck figures out the % of ethanol in the gas when you connect to a scan tool. Last 20+ gal tank full i got only had 4.2% ethanol in it. So thats why those stickers say may contain up to 10%.
 
Run the ethanol AND use some Stabil or Seafoam AND some Marvel Mystery Oil (about 4 oz of each) at fillup or when you add gas. Won't hurt anything.
Paul in CT
 
What was the technology in fuel production in 1930? There were a few grades of fuel (coal oil, diesel, regular-leaded, kerosene). The Model A would run on (sometimes in a pinch) on a combination of these fuels. I use non-ethanol and a "Seafoam" mix. The temperature and humidity of the "Deep South" climate will cause condensation and high flash point of thinner fuels. I believe the block will eventually warp due to the high heat and I know (through my motorcycles) the rubber gaskets will disintegrate with ethanol.

Just my thoughts on the subject.
 
I've run my '29 for years on the E10 gas. Never had a problem. I use my car almost every day from May thru November. When I put it away for the winter I fill the tank full with Aviation gas and run it until the carb/intake system is full. My car is stored in a dark, unheated garage. Do the same for my '25 T and '58 Healey.
 
No problems on e10...30 degrees or 90 degrees...in not only my Model A, but all my other vintage cars.

I've always wondered what those who blame any and all poor running conditions on e10 say when other cars on the same tour with them using the same gas are doing just fine.
 
On one of these ethanol is evil threads, one poster found ethanol-free premium and he ran that! Premium gas in an engine with 4.2 to 1 compression.
 
to each his own. I use to collect and restore classic Mustangs(65-68) A few years ago after winter storage with stabil in the tank, I went to start my '67 FB GT 390 and it wouldn't start, checked for fuel at the carb, fuel pump and there was none, got under the car and checked the hose at the tank. The hose was soft and when I went to disconnect it I noticed the sending unit was loose. Was able to move the locking ring by hand ( tank was only 1/4 full) pulled it off and removed the sending unit, the O ring was mush and the pickup tube was corroded off. I drained the tank, pulled the fill hose and looked in the tank, it was completely rusted and needed to be replaced. The tank and sending unit was new two years before, and not foreign parts. That was about the time they started selling pure gas here in my part of VA, been using it in all my antiques, farm vehicles, lawn mowers, chain saws and classics. In over 55 years of working on vehicles I have never seen the damage that alky gas has done, if you have never suffered the effects and cost of parts to repair, consider your self lucky. For the slight extra cost I'll use pure gas in all but new vehicles that are made to use it. and for those who say it won't damage anything consider the fact that car manufactures will not warrantee vehicles that use higher concentrations of ethanol fuel.. You mileage might vary....
 
One of the amazing things that you will discover about your Model A is that for every question you have about it there will be strongly held, opposing answers. Fortunately, it's a very forgiving piece of machinery!
 
We have both here in Oklahoma (your choice) Pure gas and that corn crap.
I only run pure gas in my '31 Model A and '57 Chevy
My newer vehicles get the corn

PS: I only use pure gas in my garden tractor, chain saws, generators and all other small engines
 
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