[Healeys] Ethanol and Vintage Cars

[Leonard Hartnett]

Mike:  Technically, I can not answer that question.  I would consider Ken
Freese's response to be reasonable based upon his experience.  Although the
aluminum tank would avoid the problem of rust, I could still foresee a
problem with ethanol-water separation if the vehicle sat unused, especially
in a cold climate, over a long period of time.  I don't have any idea how
long it would take for the separated ethanol-water, plus condensation, to
accumulate enough to come up to the fuel take-up in the tank.

The other concern, per Tom Felts, is what can happen to the rubber in the
carb.  He mentions the "blue" colored rubber pieces that are allegedly
compatible with the mix.  This was discussed many moons ago on The List
when, I think, MTBE was 'popular' but was destroying rubber components
(and making people sick).

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <rrengineer at dslextreme.com>
To: <tomfelts at windstream.net>
Cc: "Leonard Hartnett" <thehartnetts at earthlink.net>; "Healey Mail List" 
<healeys at autox.team.net>
Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2008 10:07 AM
Subject: Re: [Healeys] Ethanol and Vintage Cars


>I  have a brand new aluminum tank for my BN2 restoration.  Do I have to
> coat the inside of that before I install it?  In fact, it will be all new
> fuel lines, pump and H6 carbs.  What exactly should be done from the tank
> forward to the carbs if I will be using ethanol?
> Mike MacLean
> 56 BN2
> 60 AN5