Methanol vs carburetor

b4black · 04-14-2004, 10:56 AM

I want to experiment with my alcohol injection. I spray the alcohol just before the stock GM electronic carburetor.

I've read many times that the methanol and SMC pump don't get along, so at first I assumed that methanol and carbs are a bad idea. But then I remember that many people use methanol as a fuel with carbureted engines. Do they have to modfiy the carb due to corrosion?

Also, where are typical places to find methanol to buy? I don't recall seeing it at paint/hardware stores. Do all (most) drag strips have it?

Thanks!

Steve Wood · 04-14-2004, 12:37 PM

Generally, the whole delivery system is modified. anodized aluminum whereever aluminum is used. I don't have much modern experience with it. We used to flush the entire system at the end of the day.

I think some now use enuf stainless and such so that that may not be required in all cases. Remember the methanol fleet that were run by that University a few years ago?

b4black · 04-14-2004, 02:15 PM

Well I won't be anodizing my carb.

I wonder if methanol/water has the corrosions problem. Many people used washer fluid in the old homemade system. I checked some MSDS's and was surprised to see washer fluid is up to 35% methanol.

I wonder what happens to all the blue dye? I must build up over time.

Steve Wood · 04-14-2004, 11:44 PM

I have read that the addition of water greatly reduces the corrosiveness of the methanol.

Are carbs built out of aluminum? I was thinking pot metal but I guess that puts me back in the 50s

b4black · 04-15-2004, 08:19 AM

Pot metal, WTF is that?

Actually I know what pot metal is and maybe that's what the carb is made of.

I think it's aluminum, but I'll have to check again. I don't recall ever seeing pot metal that wasn't plated in some way. I'm thinking pot metal isn't too corrosion resistant (hence the plating).

Razor · 04-15-2004, 10:25 AM

Umm.. the only problem with methanol is stuff that sits in it. If you spray it over a carb.. it flashes and is gone. In other words it doesnt sit on the metal.

When using it as a fuel, then it sits in the bowl of the carb.. and the corrossion monster sticks its little head up and chews everything up.

04-14-2004, 10:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
b4black Carb/Turbo Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Chicagoland, IL Posts: 1,581	Methanol vs carburetor I want to experiment with my alcohol injection. I spray the alcohol just before the stock GM electronic carburetor. I've read many times that the methanol and SMC pump don't get along, so at first I assumed that methanol and carbs are a bad idea. But then I remember that many people use methanol as a fuel with carbureted engines. Do they have to modfiy the carb due to corrosion? Also, where are typical places to find methanol to buy? I don't recall seeing it at paint/hardware stores. Do all (most) drag strips have it? Thanks! __________________ Rich George BEFORE BLACK Website 1983 Regal T TYPE 14.21 @ 93.75 mph - Have I caught the IC cars yet??? 1982 Regal GRAND NATIONAL 1998 Regal GS and 1996 Dodge Ram TurboDiesel too! Chicagoland Chapter GSCA

04-14-2004, 02:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
b4black Carb/Turbo Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Chicagoland, IL Posts: 1,581	Well I won't be anodizing my carb. I wonder if methanol/water has the corrosions problem. Many people used washer fluid in the old homemade system. I checked some MSDS's and was surprised to see washer fluid is up to 35% methanol. I wonder what happens to all the blue dye? I must build up over time. __________________ Rich George BEFORE BLACK Website 1983 Regal T TYPE 14.21 @ 93.75 mph - Have I caught the IC cars yet??? 1982 Regal GRAND NATIONAL 1998 Regal GS and 1996 Dodge Ram TurboDiesel too! Chicagoland Chapter GSCA

04-14-2004, 11:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
Steve Wood An American American Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: East of Eden, Texas Posts: 37,158	I have read that the addition of water greatly reduces the corrosiveness of the methanol. Are carbs built out of aluminum? I was thinking pot metal but I guess that puts me back in the 50s __________________ ------------------ 'A government that is big enough to give you everything you want, is also big enough to take away everything you have.' - Thomas Jefferson I think one should worry more when people are lining up to get out of a country rather than into it. If they're sneaking in, we must be doing something right. The Chronicles of Zap, from the early 21st century www.vortexbuicks-etc.com

04-15-2004, 08:19 AM	#5 (permalink)
b4black Carb/Turbo Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Chicagoland, IL Posts: 1,581	Pot metal, WTF is that? Actually I know what pot metal is and maybe that's what the carb is made of. I think it's aluminum, but I'll have to check again. I don't recall ever seeing pot metal that wasn't plated in some way. I'm thinking pot metal isn't too corrosion resistant (hence the plating). __________________ Rich George BEFORE BLACK Website 1983 Regal T TYPE 14.21 @ 93.75 mph - Have I caught the IC cars yet??? 1982 Regal GRAND NATIONAL 1998 Regal GS and 1996 Dodge Ram TurboDiesel too! Chicagoland Chapter GSCA

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04-14-2004, 12:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
Steve Wood An American American Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: East of Eden, Texas Posts: 37,158	Generally, the whole delivery system is modified. anodized aluminum whereever aluminum is used. I don't have much modern experience with it. We used to flush the entire system at the end of the day. I think some now use enuf stainless and such so that that may not be required in all cases. Remember the methanol fleet that were run by that University a few years ago?

04-15-2004, 10:25 AM	#6 (permalink)
Razor Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tampa, Florida Posts: 883	Umm.. the only problem with methanol is stuff that sits in it. If you spray it over a carb.. it flashes and is gone. In other words it doesnt sit on the metal. When using it as a fuel, then it sits in the bowl of the carb.. and the corrossion monster sticks its little head up and chews everything up.