How to run e85 fuel reliability

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i use it in my drag car and street car.did go up here from 3.39 to 3.59

step 1; buy a good E-85 carb. Not a junk one
step 2 make sure pump and lines are alcohol compatible
step 3 pour E-85 fuel into tank and use this in the fuel.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/LUCAS-OI...SQkbEAQYAiABEgLrLvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
there is a learning curve just like anything else. Birdtracker

Do you test every "batch" of fuel to make sure it's 85%? I've heard it can vary and needs to be "adjusted" somewhat.

I get mine from a Mejier gas station. I don’t think it matters. I do test every once in a while but mine is really close. Birdtracker

Helps to use same station. Our local one is never under 85 and most times is closer to 87.

Absolutely. Birdtracker

We only have one chain around here that has E85 and what they really have is E70 year round, but at least it is consistent. I haven't tried it yet, I setup everything for it I just haven't made the move.

E85 was available at a lot of places here for a while, but not as much anymore. If I ever make the jump to a blower, I'll switch to E85.

Do you really need to change over to the green E85 metering blocks? I have Quickfuel metering blocks on my carb now and I was wondering if I could just modify them or should I just spend the $200 on the QF E85 kit

Gus

Stations around me (SE Michigan) are generally E70 from about October to Mid May. I test until I find 83% or above and then fill my barrel. I top off a barrel at the end of the season before the percentage drops so I have good fuel to start the next season with. I add 1 oz of Lucas safeguard ethanol treatment to each 5 gallons of fuel.

The E 85 metering blocks are different and do make a difference.
I have a 4150 based 1050 that was set up for E 85 by an up and comer that used gas metering blocks and it was dangerously lean.
We pulled to 4000 and shut it off , went up ten jets and got the same result.
Switched to a fresh Quick Fuel 850 and it corrected the lean condition , but was now under carbureted.
Up here in Mn. , they use a winter blend that is about E-55 until May , then dump E 85 on top of what ever is in the tank , and by mid June , it is consistent 85%.

Thanks
I have the Pro-Form 1050 annular body now with Quick Fuel blocks, bowls, and baseplate. It runs very well right now so that's why I hesitate to change the blocks but I guess I will have to completely change my tune anyway with the new fuel.
Maybe when I bolt the new blocks on my A/F ratio will be dead on

Gus

I couldn't get a A/F ratio gauge to work to save my life. I bet I have at least 5 of them and at least 2 sensors for each one. AEM won't even give a reasonable display. I went around that for about 6 months and finally gave up. Birdtracker

Looks like I'm going to need a new fuel pump and regulator that is safe for methanol too. Now the tally is approaching over the $600 mark is it worth it for a street/strip car I drive less than a 1,000 miles a year.

Gus

One reason why I decided against it. Ain't nobody got time for dat!

Some guys over-think this. When I plumbed my car years ago I used number 10 black cloth line in it and number 8 to the carb. I did this back when I was running 9.80’s on BP pump gas and W2 heads. I switched over to alcohol years ago and run the same BG400 pump and regulator. I have rebuilt the pump a time or two but you expect that on a pump that is over 15 years old. Larry smith gave me a used one several years ago so I rebuilt it and now carry a spare. Regulator has never been touched

EFI makes this much easier.

I would personally only run drum E85 if carbureted rather than chase the alcohol content.

I run it on my Barracuda. Its nothing special, small block low 11s.

I buy it at the local Sheetz store and in the beginning I was testing it all the time, but I quit because once the summer blend hit the tanks it was consistent.

Not so much of a deal like it used to be though. Last I bought was $2.39 and now its $4.00.

Still cheap 105 octane fuel though.