Again E85

So, I think I'm just gonna try some out and see what it does but in moderation. I guess this is what I might do.

1949 M distillete e85 test:

1)Start with 5 gallons of e10 and 1 gallon of e85 and run it. 2)Next 5 gallons (e10) with 2 gallons e85 3)5 gal e10 and 3 gallons e85
4) 5-4, 5-5, 5-5, 4-5, 3-5... and continue to break it in and see what happens- this will take me a while.

Now, I'm so far at the bottom of the totam pole when it comes to the knowledge of tractors on this site, so any suggustion, thoughts, constructive critism...are all good. Is there anyting I should specifically pay attention too?
Any anticipated carberator adjustments? or anything else.

Mentioned before:

"My 1937 "BN" John Deere runs very nicely on E-85. Just had to richen up the mixture screws about 1/3 turn. It is hard starting on straight E-85 but sure has an interesting exhaust odor." Wayne Swenson

"My only concern would be the gaskets in the carb and the intake gasket." John M

"So long as the E85 doesn't eat gaskets or floats, and you richen the mixture so it doesn't melt pistons, it should run fine, just like it did in model T's and A's 80 years ago. Just watch out for leaning out with jets too small and go.
Gerald J."

"Don't think I'd try it. E85 is known to quickly deteriorate certain materials used in older fuel systems, like seals and rubber packings. You may also notice a loss of power. There's fewer BTU's in a gallon of E85 than there is in gasoline" K.B-826

"It burns acidic so you need to run an additive in the oil for a while." Jonesy

Everyone seems to be in agreement that it will hurt the seals in the carb.

Basically, I think I'm just gonna find out if that old distillate can take it.

Thank you. I'm learning.

This is really good information and comments. My 49 distallate is a lower compression engine so I think I know my answer for running straight e85. I won't be afraid to mix it but certainly in moderation breaking it in.

I really hate to throw this into the mix but while were here..... and I'm talking about adding e85, would a diesel additive help since the "trash gas or tractor fuel" was made partial with diesel? I think I would still need some gas to get it started but the M has two tanks and one is for gas.

If your tractor has 0-100 psi at cranking speed, you can run 1 gallon of E85 to 4 gallons of regular pump fuel, and still notice a difference,, at that mix, it will start and run just like it alawys had,,, What you will see is the manifold flange, where the carb bolts on the manifold, will be avout 25 degrees cooler than what gas would be alone,,,, E85 is a cold fuel when it mixes with air,, it has a tremendous cooling effect,,, like Nitrous,, just not as cold,, but it almost as cold as LP when it mixes with the incoming air. You make power from that cooling effect, that does happen to stay cooler than most conventional fuels. If, your tractors engine has 130-150 psi,,, 2 gallons of E85 to 3 gallons of pump gas will be fine,, More E85 you can mix, and burn the more power it can make.

I'll tell you right now,,, E85 is more of a lower rpm fuel than a high rpm fuel,,, The tractor engines seem to respond better to E85 due to having all the time in the world to make a good mix in the intake, where a faster rpm engine, has to get in, burn up fast and get out ready for the next charge to burn,,,,, E85 likes to hang around in the cyl,,, slow burn,, colder temps in the cyl.

Pure staight E85 can run a Farmall stroker engine at 300psi of compression at cranking speed and not detonate, or preignite!! Wonderful stuff that whiskey is,,,, HAHAHA!!

I know I have ran a H farmall with a big stroker, at 290psi, at 50% 93 pump gas, and E85 and make more power, run better than any race fuel out there!! Never detonated, preignited, nothing! Never damaged parts, It hasnt eaten away the pistons, or showed no sign of anything being out of whack.

Hope some of this Info helps clear up the mystery,,, If you tell me how much compression, cubic inch of your farmall tractor, I can tell you exactly how to make your farmall tractor run on E85. ChadS

As far as what you can run it in,, well, anything with a carb, or computer setup to use it will run very well on it, if not better than what pump fuel is. If you dont know what to look for, you will never know how to properly use it.

For one, you cant burn it straight in low compression engines, you have to cut it back with gasoline.

Higher compression = more ethanol can be used and run better with less gas in the mix.

Most common engine rebuild kits are high compression compnents VS stock, so if you got a newly rebuilt engine with updated parts you have better success with E85,,,

If got a M farmall with a kerosine engine with 100 psi of compression at cranking speed, you wont like E85, unless you mix it with pump gas to dillute the E85,,,

See,,, E85 is like octane booster, it has the same characteristics as high octane race fuel,,, very hard to ignite,, so low compression engine have trouble getting it to run on it, even if you have a high energy ignition system, the increased amount of fuel needed to run is too much for the low compression engine to burn up.

Mixing E85 with pump gas help ignite the fuel easier, Your engines compression readings will tell you if you can use E85 with pump gas mixed in, in lower compression engines.

High compression engines,,, love this stuff!!! I dyno tuned 49 M the other day,, had a Red power piston kit with a 8060 head, making 160 psi of compression,,, On pump gas it made 52 hp,, on a mix with E85, and pump gas, it made over 60. (1 gallon of E85 to 3 gallons of gas) it started great, ran cooler, and made more power.

Fuel efficency is out the window,,, with any turned up, or enhanced engine to make something work to the best potential, well, you tend to use more of it, alot more,, and, it takes more than just dumping in E85 in the gas tank and hoping for the best,,,,,

You have to increase the main jet size,, this allows more fuel to enter the engine, if you dont, you wont get anything but headaches as far as running charcateristics are concerned.

Part deterioration,,

I havent seen anything to back that case up in E85 arguemnts,,, When used properly,,,,, Ive seen methanol engines burn, corrode, ruin parts,, but Its two different materials you guys are trading stories with here!!!

On an old tractor, you have to mix gas with it,, plain and simple. E85 can reduce your emmisions, make more power, but not totally remove our reliance on fossil fuels totally,, well,,, just yet,,,

If I could make Ehthanol, legally,, I would and run it in every gas powered engine I can get my hands on, never visit a gas station again,,, but I cant do that,,,LOL! Not cause my car, or tractor says I cant,, enough bout that,, LOL!!!

Bottom line is,, this E85 thing,, with what we have learned in the past with carburated engines and Ethanol,, with a wider failure rate,,

the new fuel injection systems redesigned for E85,,, we have just seen the start of this being a solution to our dependance of out of country oil. Just wish the technology was there 20 years ago to further develop E85 and how to make it run in our cars, trucks, and farm tractors and equipment.

On a personal note,,,

What ticks me off is seeing E85 within 2 cents of regular unleaded pump gas,,, and,, how much is corn a bushel? you do the math!

Sorry for the long post,, E85 hits me close to home, and ive done some long winded homework on it. 15 years worth in the antique tractor pulling research and development. ChadS

However, cellulosic ethanol plants will be coming online soon that can make ethanol from high-cellulose stock suck as cornstalks, switchgrass, waste paper, and even some testing is underway with landfill garbage. When these technologies are brought online I think we will move away from corn (and other grains) and again increase our ethanol production.

1) 85% Alcohol will break loose all the crud in your fuel tank, carb, etc... and while it is good to clean the fuel system you will also be very upset when everything plugs up with the crud.

2) Alcohol is corrosive and will eat the rubber parts as well as the metal in the system. E85 vehicles(FFVs or Flex Fuel Vehicles) come equipped with Stainless steel gas tanks and fittings, special rubber seals, and gas lines with a Teflon coating on the inside.

Just in case you are wondering, I know these facts first hand from some work with EPIC (Ehanol Promotion and Information Council) that I am currently doing.

Just my 2 comments and 2 cents against it.

Also, the sensors you refer to change the ECM (engine control module) programming depending upon the % ethanol in the tank to compensate for the difference in octane and energy content of E85 vs. gasoline. This in effect changes fuel flow rate and timing as well.