The Ford Barn

jeepguy1948 · 01-08-2023, 01:17 PM

Anybody have any thoughts/experiences with different jetting in a Zenith using ethanol fuel? I would think that possibly the idle jet and/or main jet may to be upsized?

1931 flamingo · 01-08-2023, 01:29 PM

I see no need. JMO
Paul in CT

ModelA29 · 01-08-2023, 04:57 PM

Are you talking gas with up to 10% ethanol or E85 type that is 85% ethanol?
Ethanol makes about 1/2 the energy of gasoline so it takes nearly twice as much to make the same HP. That is in a modern car with much higher compression ratio.

Ed in Maine · 01-08-2023, 05:10 PM

Now that we have an ethanol free pump near me, I only use ethanol free gas when available. I have noticed that gumming up the carburetor is a bigger problem with ethanol than a loss of power especially if the car sits for a few months during the off season. Ed

Keith True · 01-08-2023, 08:05 PM

i can't say I've noticed any difference in the old stuff.I've been working on old equipment for a living since the mid 70's,my main thing then was gummy carbs,and still is.I parked my 30 pickup one fall planning to drive it in the spring,but it didn't come back out for 7 years.It had a half tank of gas in it and I drove it to a station to top it off.That truck left a trail of stink behind it for weeks.The station across from the JD dealer I worked at started selling it in 1980,it was marketed as gasahol then.We all just used it,never gave it much thought.

jeepguy1948 · 01-08-2023, 08:16 PM

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Like many things I ponder this is probably more a curiosity than anything else.... Yes, I’m talking about 10% ethanol. No, I’m not looking for 1 or 2 horsepower, I’m thinking about a good idle. Everything has to be just right for a banger to idle well and at idle there is so little fuel being used that 5% less energy might make a difference. At cruise it is possible to do some adjustment with the gas valve at idle all you can really do is lean it a bit with the idle air valve.

Hitman · 01-08-2023, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeepguy1948

Like many things I ponder this is probably more a curiosity than anything else.... Yes, I’m talking about 10% ethanol. No, I’m not looking for 1 or 2 horsepower, I’m thinking about a good idle. Everything has to be just right for a banger to idle well and at idle there is so little fuel being used that 5% less energy might make a difference. At cruise it is possible to do some adjustment with the gas valve at idle all you can really do is lean it a bit with the idle air valve.

Unless you’re racing for speed records, no need to worry. Your modern car doesn’t care, neither should you!

nkaminar · 01-08-2023, 10:40 PM

Many many years ago I was on my way home from flying my model airplane in my 1929 closed cab pickup. It had a stock engine. I ran out of gas and poured a gallon of model airplane fuel in the tank, which is mostly methanol with some nitro methane and some caster oil. The truck ran fine with the GAV opened up at tad.

Bob Bidonde · 01-09-2023, 07:41 AM

I have been running 2 Model A's in the Commy State of New York on 15% Ethanol Gas since it was shoved up my derriere many years ago. Both cars run fine with out any changes to their Zenith carbs.

Kurt in NJ · 01-09-2023, 10:05 AM

I had the opportunity to do a loaded emission testing on my A, both before ethonal and after with the same car with no changes.
I have original jets that have never been flow tested.
on regular gas i could drive with the GAV closed, On the ethonal mix the GAV has to be opened 1/4 or it is too lean, 1/2 turn over 55
Jets that flow a little more than the flow rates in the books are probably better for use with ethonal blends

Bill G · 01-09-2023, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeepguy1948

Anybody have any thoughts/experiences with different jetting in a Zenith using ethanol fuel? I would think that possibly the idle jet and/or main jet may to be upsized?

Between the idle air mixture screw and the GAV, the variability you are looking for should be covered.

31a · 01-09-2023, 09:55 PM

I have not noticed that much difference; I was able to adjust the carb and No have any problems, but we live in mostly flat, very hot country,

Jim Brierley · 01-10-2023, 01:09 PM

I had trouble with sticking valves on my tractor. Since then I use a little MMO in the gas of it and my Model A, no more problems!

01-08-2023, 01:17 PM	#1
jeepguy1948 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Posts: 1,047	Ethanol Jetting Anybody have any thoughts/experiences with different jetting in a Zenith using ethanol fuel? I would think that possibly the idle jet and/or main jet may to be upsized?

01-08-2023, 01:29 PM	#2
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,428	Re: Ethanol Jetting I see no need. JMO Paul in CT

01-08-2023, 04:57 PM	#3
ModelA29 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: SoCal Posts: 1,594	Re: Ethanol Jetting Are you talking gas with up to 10% ethanol or E85 type that is 85% ethanol? Ethanol makes about 1/2 the energy of gasoline so it takes nearly twice as much to make the same HP. That is in a modern car with much higher compression ratio.

01-08-2023, 05:10 PM	#4
Ed in Maine Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Washington Cty., ME or Flagler Cty., FL Posts: 1,223	Re: Ethanol Jetting Now that we have an ethanol free pump near me, I only use ethanol free gas when available. I have noticed that gumming up the carburetor is a bigger problem with ethanol than a loss of power especially if the car sits for a few months during the off season. Ed

01-08-2023, 08:05 PM	#5
Keith True Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Epping N.H. Posts: 3,691	Re: Ethanol Jetting i can't say I've noticed any difference in the old stuff.I've been working on old equipment for a living since the mid 70's,my main thing then was gummy carbs,and still is.I parked my 30 pickup one fall planning to drive it in the spring,but it didn't come back out for 7 years.It had a half tank of gas in it and I drove it to a station to top it off.That truck left a trail of stink behind it for weeks.The station across from the JD dealer I worked at started selling it in 1980,it was marketed as gasahol then.We all just used it,never gave it much thought.

01-08-2023, 08:16 PM	#6
jeepguy1948 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Posts: 1,047	Re: Ethanol Jetting Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Like many things I ponder this is probably more a curiosity than anything else.... Yes, I’m talking about 10% ethanol. No, I’m not looking for 1 or 2 horsepower, I’m thinking about a good idle. Everything has to be just right for a banger to idle well and at idle there is so little fuel being used that 5% less energy might make a difference. At cruise it is possible to do some adjustment with the gas valve at idle all you can really do is lean it a bit with the idle air valve.

01-08-2023, 10:40 PM	#8
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 6,849	Re: Ethanol Jetting Many many years ago I was on my way home from flying my model airplane in my 1929 closed cab pickup. It had a stock engine. I ran out of gas and poured a gallon of model airplane fuel in the tank, which is mostly methanol with some nitro methane and some caster oil. The truck ran fine with the GAV opened up at tad. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

01-09-2023, 07:41 AM	#9
Bob Bidonde Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 4,384	Re: Ethanol Jetting I have been running 2 Model A's in the Commy State of New York on 15% Ethanol Gas since it was shoved up my derriere many years ago. Both cars run fine with out any changes to their Zenith carbs. __________________ Bob Bidonde

01-09-2023, 10:05 AM	#10
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,673	Re: Ethanol Jetting I had the opportunity to do a loaded emission testing on my A, both before ethonal and after with the same car with no changes. I have original jets that have never been flow tested. on regular gas i could drive with the GAV closed, On the ethonal mix the GAV has to be opened 1/4 or it is too lean, 1/2 turn over 55 Jets that flow a little more than the flow rates in the books are probably better for use with ethonal blends

01-09-2023, 09:55 PM	#12
31a Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: College Station, Tx Posts: 328	Re: Ethanol Jetting I have not noticed that much difference; I was able to adjust the carb and No have any problems, but we live in mostly flat, very hot country,

01-10-2023, 01:09 PM	#13
Jim Brierley Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Temecula, CA Posts: 4,321	Re: Ethanol Jetting I had trouble with sticking valves on my tractor. Since then I use a little MMO in the gas of it and my Model A, no more problems!