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Ethanol E10 and 1948 Ford 8N

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billberna

05-07-2008 07:03:00

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My husband has been using a Ford 8N, which is, more or less, in original condition, to mow our 5 acres of grass. Lately, it appears that the only gasoline available in our state has become 10% ethanol. Is this harmful to the tractor's engine? Are there any cheap modifications and / or additional maintenance that we will need to do now to run our tractor on E10?

Thanks

Billberna

Florida

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Bruce T

07-25-2008 16:09:05

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Re: Ethanol E10 and 1948 Ford 8N in reply to billberna, 05-07-2008 07:03:00

We have had our 2-N ford tractor since new in 1945 and had no problems wit the engine until the summer of 2008 when we were required to use 10% ethanol gasoline. The gas tanks boils continuously during the warm part of the day so we can only rake our hay in the mornings and evenings. This is a giant sized pain in the butt.

The gas tank vent is not plugged, radiator is clean, the fan belts are not slipping the whole problem is this crappy gas!!

Still runs fine on normal unleaded.

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billberna

05-10-2008 19:46:11

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Re: Ethanol E10 and 1948 Ford 8N in reply to billberna, 05-07-2008 07:03:00

Thanks, everybody, for your interesting replies to my question. They have been reassuring to say the least.

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gahorN

05-07-2008 15:10:52

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Re: Ethanol E10 and 1948 Ford 8N in reply to billberna, 05-07-2008 07:03:00

billberna said: (quoted from post at 07:03:00 05/07/08) My husband has been using a Ford 8N, which is, more or less, in original condition, to mow our 5 acres of grass. Lately, it appears that the only gasoline available in our state has become 10% ethanol. Is this harmful to the tractor's engine? Are there any cheap modifications and / or additional maintenance that we will need to do now to run our tractor on E10?

Thanks

Billberna

Florida

Henry Ford PREFERRED ethanol as a fuel, 100% and advocated it as a total substitute/replacement replacement for gasoline. GM is who promoted leaded gasoline because they were partners along with Standard (Exxon/Mobil), DuPont, in Ethyl Corp.

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Dunk

05-07-2008 14:51:51

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Re: Ethanol E10 and 1948 Ford 8N in reply to billberna, 05-07-2008 07:03:00

Actually we are both right... (hair trigger mouse)

Methanol is often called wood alcohol because it was once produced chiefly as a byproduct of the destructive distillation of wood. It is now produced synthetically by a multi-step process: natural gas and steam are reformed in a furnace to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide; then, hydrogen and carbon monoxide gases react under pressure in the presence of a catalyst.

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Dunk

05-07-2008 14:50:04

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Re: Ethanol E10 and 1948 Ford 8N in reply to soundguy, 05-07-2008 07:03:00

russbWA said: (quoted from post at 18:22:54 05/07/08)
Methanol is made from natural gas. Ethanol of course is from organic.

Actually Methanol is made from wood, wood alcohol, Ethanol is made from grain.

Link

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russbWA

05-07-2008 14:22:54

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Re: Ethanol E10 and 1948 Ford 8N in reply to billberna, 05-07-2008 07:03:00

You got lots of good information already. One thought, by volume alcohol has less btus than petrol. May not make much difference at 10%, but, at some point you may have to richen the metering, that is richen the mixture. The main needle is out to richen, while the idle system is an air bleed IIRC, which screws in to richen.

I got some experience from model airplanes. They use methanol instead of ethanol. Methanol causes serious rust problems. I suspect ethanol maybe less, but don't really know.

Methanol is made from natural gas. Ethanol of course is from organic.

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Steve IA

05-07-2008 11:13:27

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Re: Ethanol E10 and 1948 Ford 8N in reply to billberna, 05-07-2008 07:03:00

I've used E-10 since day 1 with my 8N nearly 20 years ago. Runs just fine, thanks.

Steve

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Gary,kansas

05-07-2008 09:52:15

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Re: Ethanol E10 and 1948 Ford 8N in reply to billberna, 05-07-2008 07:03:00

It'll clean out your tank, watch your filters. Once you have the tank clean you'll be ok.

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Dell (WA)

05-07-2008 09:15:05

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Re: Ethanol E10 and 1948 Ford 8N in reply to billberna, 05-07-2008 07:03:00

Billberna..... ...the low compression N-Engine was designed in 1939 to run on un-leaded 70-octane white gasoline. Modern no-lead gasoline E10 or E15 is at least 83-octane. NO, you do NOT need lead additives. But you need to keep yer gastank FULL after use 'cuz empty space attracts HUMID AIR.

As I remember Florida, with sweat drippin' off'n my nose, its HUMID. Ethanol (alcohol) attracts moisture. Moisture RUSTS insides of gastanks. RUST CLOGS them itty-bitty holes in yer carburetor. Clogged carburetor jets cause running and starting problems. Stabl (trade name) is highly recommended to keep modern gas viable in infrequent used equipment so the itty-bitty jet holes don't gitt clogged-up with VARNISH or GUMS. Your 3-filters are your friends.

The N-Fuel system does NOT have RUBBER parts to be attacked by E10 or E15 alcohol ..... ..Dell

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Colin King

05-07-2008 07:19:34

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Re: Ethanol E10 and 1948 Ford 8N in reply to billberna, 05-07-2008 07:03:00

Minnesotans have been using E15 for 2 decades, and gasoline is now mandated by the State to be blended at E20. Blended gasoline at those levels is not going to harm your engine.

However, alcohol is hydrophilic, so make sure you mix a fuel stabilizer into it if it's not going to be used right away. Otherwise you have water condensation in the tank. Something like Stabl works well.

Colin, MN

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Ed S. (IL)

05-07-2008 07:08:57

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Re: Ethanol E10 and 1948 Ford 8N in reply to billberna, 05-07-2008 07:03:00

Been running E10 in my N for 6 years, and haven't noticed any problems.

I would NOT run E85 in it, though...

es

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WayneIA

05-07-2008 10:32:08

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Re: Ethanol E10 and 1948 Ford 8N in reply to Ed S. (IL), 05-07-2008 07:08:57

Been using E-85 in my 641 for six months. Can't tell any difference, except the price is about .85 cheaper

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Colin King

05-07-2008 11:46:56

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Re: Ethanol E10 and 1948 Ford 8N in reply to WayneIA, 05-07-2008 10:32:08

Wayne,

This is something that interests me, and I'm curious to know your thoughts on this. I have heard that lubrication of the valve train is an issue. Are you putting any additives into the blend to deal with that? Do you see a reduction in power or fuel economy?

I came across a study the Department of Energy did back during the "last" gas crisis. They ran E100 in a Triumph, I believe it was. There was a reduction in HP and fuel economy, but they found no other problem other than added wear to the valve train. They solved that by adding castor oil to the alcohol. Just like you do for 2 cycle model airplanes!

Colin, MN

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Wayne IA

05-07-2008 19:55:51

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Re: Ethanol E10 and 1948 Ford 8N in reply to Colin King, 05-07-2008 11:46:56

Hope I can keep this relativaly short. Been thinking about this for quit a while! 15 years ago,when the auto AC industry switched from R-12 to R-134 we were told you could't put R-134 into the old R-12 systems or it would rust, deteriate, or what have you. Well this was basicly untrue. Politics!!! Well I decided maybe the same holds true with the fuel industry. Now I think I can handle anything that might go wrong with the fuel system in my 860 or 641.SOOOO--- we started using E-85 last summer in the 860 mowing lawn and odd jobs aroud here with now ill affects. This last winter, with all the cold and snow we had here in Iowa,I had a rear blade on the 641 to push snow here and at the neighbors. Used E-85 in it also.I did have to open the main jet on the carb about a half a turn to get rid of the hesitation when changing directions while pushing snow. Other than that, I have added nothing, just dumped E-85 in the tank. I realize I have not used it for a whole lot of hours ,so time will tell. And I AM willing to gamble.

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Colin King

05-08-2008 07:17:12

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Re: Ethanol E10 and 1948 Ford 8N in reply to Wayne IA, 05-07-2008 19:55:51

I too agree that there's a lot of myth, intentional and unintentional, going around. I'm glad you're experimenting, and keep us posted. At some point in the not too distant future, alcohol based fuels (or bio-diesel) will have to replace petroleum. I am of the opinion that a wise fuel conservation policy should include subsidies for agricultural and industrial applications, while other uses should be rationed.

Colin

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