Ethanol laced fuel invites more debate than which welding rod used to gas weld 4130 (please let's not go there).
I know the issues as a boat, motorcycle and motorhome operator (with a gasoline generator). No doubt there are problems from the fuels out there now as compared to years ago.
But 100LL is stupid expensive except during the past few months and is sure to sky high again AND it's long term availability is in some doubt.
My homebuilt is approaching completion and will have an aircraft engine (O-470) and will run 100LL but hedging my bets meant I built the tanks, lines, etc with materials that would better stand up to the solvent action of alcohols in the fuel and I will be using a circle track racing carb with viton seals that is capable of being jetted for some or even a lot of alcohol in the fuel "if needed".
Here is some old research about a Cessna 152 that was converted to run on straight ethanol and the results seem to contradict the oft quoted criticisms of ethanol.
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/pdfs/2896.pdf
The conclusions and results may be a surprise to those who haven't already read this.
I know the issues as a boat, motorcycle and motorhome operator (with a gasoline generator). No doubt there are problems from the fuels out there now as compared to years ago.
But 100LL is stupid expensive except during the past few months and is sure to sky high again AND it's long term availability is in some doubt.
My homebuilt is approaching completion and will have an aircraft engine (O-470) and will run 100LL but hedging my bets meant I built the tanks, lines, etc with materials that would better stand up to the solvent action of alcohols in the fuel and I will be using a circle track racing carb with viton seals that is capable of being jetted for some or even a lot of alcohol in the fuel "if needed".
Here is some old research about a Cessna 152 that was converted to run on straight ethanol and the results seem to contradict the oft quoted criticisms of ethanol.
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/pdfs/2896.pdf
The conclusions and results may be a surprise to those who haven't already read this.
