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**Brent P[_1_]** · July 6th 06, 07:06 AM posted to rec.autos.makers.ford.mustang

In article .com>, wrote:

> conversion controversy. In the beginning the SAE guys said replace
> everything not they say just drain and refill. the only things I know
> that alcohol attacks is aluminum and that still takes a while to eat
> up. Brazil has used alcohol in their VW's for decades and the carbs
> look like a sandblaster got to the float bowls but other than that I
> guess it was a great success. Anyone else here doing what I am
> doing????

I decided to see what a roughly 65% ethanol mix would do to my lawn
mower. The inside of the carb started to corrode. I ended the experiment
when the corrosion started to cause problems. The only reason I did it
was because the mower has a very simple fuel system, a couple simple
gaskets and no much to damage. The carb clogged easily, normally it was
bits of debris, the corrosion made that worse of course.

That said, when I helped build an electric/E85 hybrid over 10 years ago,
the junkyard geo 3 cylinder we used actually ran better the moment it
started running on E85. Since it didn't have to last a long time we
didn't do anything to upgrade the fuel system. Just used the stock
saturn and geo bits.

I am for E85 (provided the ethanol is made using energy forms that
cannot become a motor vehicle fuel), I would just make sure the materials
are up to it first. Many materials may be up to the task as is. However
without knowing what Ford used, it's hard to say what fuel system
components need replacement.