78 Mustang 5.0 Ford Ethanol ??
Printed From: CorrectCraftFan.com
Category: Repairs and Maintenance
Forum Name: Boat Maintenance
Forum Discription: Discuss maintenance of your Correct Craft
URL: http://www.CorrectCraftFan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=34560
Printed Date: November-17-2024 at 11:16am
Topic: 78 Mustang 5.0 Ford Ethanol ??
Posted By: fidget247
Subject: 78 Mustang 5.0 Ford Ethanol ??
Date Posted: September-02-2014 at 7:04pm
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All. New here the forum. I'm the original owner of a '78 Mustang 17 with the 302 Ford. Motor has been great. Our marina on the lake sells straight gasoline (no ethanol) but we often have been getting cans filled at the local car gas place and putting them into the boat. Someone recently told me to STOP using fuel with ethanol. There is a price difference, obviously, but it is also expensive to replace a motor and related parts. So, in your opinion, should I: A: Keep using Ethanol and not worry about it, B: If I keep using Ethanol, put additives in, or C: Just by the fuel with no ethanol in it? Thanks for the feedback! I'm all ears and willing to learn from the experts on this forum. Thanks. |
Replies:
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: September-02-2014 at 7:33pm
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A. I'd opt to store it with e-free fuel over the winter though. |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: September-02-2014 at 7:37pm
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Here in Illinois we have no choice,I use stabil for marine use and in case you never have,it would be worth it to replace the fuel line from tank to pump with a new ethanol resistant one. ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: 81skinautique
Date Posted: September-02-2014 at 10:09pm
| I was wondering the same thing because the fact of mine running a bit funny. I compromised and increased my octane to 93. I was having trouble when accelerating it would stall. Have to start again rev it up then kind of slam in gear to take off. I'm not sure if it is coincidental but since I increased octane it runs great. Could it just be that Ethanol or possibly the octane level which has made it run better? |
Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: September-02-2014 at 10:17pm
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Coincidence. Ethanol can cause long term (storage) issues as it absorbs moisture. Short term effect is negligible, other than the slightly reduced energy content (= more fuel consumption). Performance is a wash. Running an octane higher than the engine can take advantage of is also counter productive, both to performance and your wallet. Octane is simply a measure of resistance to detonation... So higher octane is more difficult to combust. You need it in engines with high compression ratios and/or aggressive timing curves... Those things improve performance, not the higher octane of the fuel they require. Even the 89 octane recommended by PCM for the 8.5:1 cr Fords is overkill. If you're having fuel related issues, go through your fuel system or switch gas stations! |
Posted By: 81skinautique
Date Posted: September-02-2014 at 10:55pm
At times I really hate coincidences.  So assuming whatever was causing trouble with stalling has subsided. Maybe it wont give me problems rest of the year running 87 octane again, who knows! At least I was able to enjoy teaching my 6 year old niece to ski Labor Day morning without the stalling. Would have been very frustrating otherwise. |
Posted By: Orlando76
Date Posted: September-03-2014 at 8:35am
I agree exactly with Tim. On items that get once a month use (mowers, generators) I use non ethanol bc reasons Tim mentioned. In my boats I use high octane ethanol. Cheaper by .50$ or more than non ethanol. Boats at our house don't rest. I've heard some say ethanol reduces the octane level so that's part of why I use the higher octane. I'm no chemist so I don't know. I think the most important thing is to buy from a high volume gas station (even if that station may feel lesser quality). Fuel composition and quality varies by state. Interestingly my toys don't seem bothered by ethanol but my daily driver ('07 6.0 Chevy) absolutely hates FL ethanol fuel, an easy 10% decrease in performance and mileage. |
TRBenj wrote:Posted By: TRBenj
Date Posted: September-03-2014 at 9:47am
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Octane is octane, regardless of ethanol content. Putting a higher grade of octane in an engine that doesn't need it will only decrease performance (albeit slightly) while draining your wallet simultaneously. Lose-lose. By itself, ethanol has a very high octane rating. I've *heard* that 89 can be essentially the same fuel as 87 with slightly higher ethanol content (note that most pumps say that gas contain "up to 10% ethanol") in order to boost the octane rating. Not sure if there's any truth to that or not, but it seems plausible. |
Posted By: Gary S
Date Posted: September-03-2014 at 11:09am
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I have heard that the up to 10% works like this, big name brand companies use less than 10% ethanol but discount companies use the full 10% to cut the price. Not sure if true but read it in an article about gasoline quality and stations like Cosco and Walmart Edit- Sometimes this and a better additive package is why you get better milage and less injector and intake valve fouling with name brand gas vs discount ------------- http://www.correctcraftfan.com/diaries/details.asp?ID=1711&sort=&pagenum=1&yrstart=1966&yrend=1970" rel="nofollow - 69 Mustang HM SS 95 Nautique Super Sport |
Posted By: Morfoot
Date Posted: September-03-2014 at 1:04pm
+1  Check out this post a from a couple years ago..... http://correctcraftfan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=24715&KW=fuel+line&title=examine-your-fuel-lines" rel="nofollow - Examine Your Fuel Line ------------- "Morfoot; He can ski. He can wakeboard.He can cook chicken.He can create his own self-named beverage, & can also apparently fly. A man of many talents."72 Mustang "Kermit",88 SN Miss Scarlett, 99 SN "Sherman" |
Posted By: fidget247
Date Posted: September-03-2014 at 5:31pm
| Thanks for the replies, y'all. Much appreciated. Lots of discussion about collapsing fuel lines with Ethanol, but have you had any material problems with pitting of the carb, or other part degradation? |