Practically Classics Forum

With all this hoo-ha about ethanol, I feel obliged to point out that it's only recently that the ethanol content has been controlled by legislation. Old codgers like me will remember Cleveland Discol petrol, sold up to the late eighties, that contained 25% alcohol. I don't recollect anyone complaining that it rotted their engines. While ethanol attacks certain rubber compounds, the main mechanism for it attacking metal parts is its oxidation to acid. So if it's not left in fuel systems for a long time and flexible hoses are changed to ethanol resistant types, there is not a lot to worry about. In any case, at present, Super Unleaded doesn't contain ethanol and is likely to be kept as a protection grade, with the content not exceeding 5%, for the foreseeable future. Electric cars will never replace petrol until someone develops a cheap fuel cell, for the simple reason that they are totally impractical. Take up is minimal, in spite of generous subsidies. Their proponents will say that battery technology will improve and the range will get better, but the limiting factor is always the time taken to replace energy used via the domestic electricity supply.

So if it's not left in fuel systems for a long time.

This is something likely to happen with classic cars and perhaps the cars, that used Cleveland Discol petrol, were relatively few and not laid up for long periods, so the problems didn't arise and any that did, may have gone unnoticed. It is true that Super unleaded has less ethanol and this is why I use only that but if that disappears, we are left with using additives or of modification to our cars.

I hope you are right about electric cars; getting fuel from the local filling station (Or any other when I am out and about) is very handy and I hope I never have to get it from the chemist or the nearest airfield.

I still remember how everyone was up in arms about unleaded coming in, and how all old cars would be rendered useless overnight as soon as 4* disappeared at the pumps. As history has proved, all the scaremongering was pretty much unfounded, and I don't think any car has been put off the road by not being able to run on leaded petrol. For now, I am not going to loose any sleep over it, and will do the usual suck it and see what happens as the time comes and goes.

I have been in touch with Holley, Dellorto and SU, these being the makes of carb I own.

I am seeking clarification from Holley but it seems their carbs are OK with E10.

Dellorto UK say

"We have asked Dellorto about ethanol in petrol and the effect on their products.

They tell us that up to 10% ethanol everything should be ok. We have not seen anything that would make us believe any different to this. We have seen carburettors that have run methanol, and we can see that this does corrode & eat away at the body and brass parts, but this is extreme use for racing and its accepted as a risk and expense of using methanol. Draining the fuel system after each race is the only way of reducing this effect.

Otherwise we have read in magazines & on websites that for most vehicles there is no immediate problem. Fibreglass is the exception, it will soften and give eventually. Ethanol also burns differently to petrol, so you will consume more of it to gain the same power, so in comparison to undiluted petrol you could be getting less MPG for the same performance.

So in the UK we should be ok, but if fuel in increased to 15% ethanol as it can be in France it may be a problem.

"

I will post any fresh news as I get it.

found this while looking for marina vans
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NO-MORE-STALE ... 3f2749cdfb

Rich, I'm really glad you found that eBay item as I've just bought a snake which could do with a spot of lubrication. Sorted!



Actually, that gives me an idea about a question that someone could ask the seller.

Is the question:
"are you Quentin Wilson"?

Not in so many words. He didn't post it on the listing but then if he's a business hours only con artist, the answer may come tomorrow.

"Sussex Promotions". The whole thing is a con........

P45.

How anyone can fall for this sort of thing is beyond me! Anyway it doesn't work.

Danny