Been running 10% ethanol out here for years now. Old school stuff couldn’t handle it, just like old school valve seats couldn’t handle unleaded.
Have zero ethanol problems with anything I’m running now; ‘69 thru ‘94 ( at the 10%level). You go thru some fuel filters pretty quick, but the rubber can handle it after you rebuild carbs with newer kits and replace the lines. Even mechanical fuel pumps coming out of Mexico, etc. are up to the task.
We did gum up some boat motors at first!
As if “Cash for Clunkers” wasn’t enough evidence, you are absolutely right about where the money and “green” impetus went. They want to starve us dinosaurs out.
Sorry, O, before I buy a $40,000 truck I’ll buy 20 $2000 trucks.
Just bought an ‘83 Chevy 1/2 ton , short bed step side last week, 4WD, 350 crate engine, 700R4 ( would prefer a turbo 350 or 400) with good rubber for $1300. Need to run the valves yet but it will be good enough for the boy to make it back and forth to school all winter- holds 50lbs oil pressure. Took it on an obstacle course checking cows last night that most suburban 4WD owners would have nightmares about and it passed the test. Kept up with an old Jeep thru deep ditches and mud.
You obviously are an astute observer/participant in the unfolding process...don’t forget about us.
I’m not a corn farmer but the ethanol thing put a new floor under corn prices that helped us more than it hurt others.
Take care- we’re here for the duration.
Sounds like a fun truck.
You may think the fuel lines are OK with ethanol - 90-95% of them are. (By “fuel lines” I mean all lines and gaskets exposed to fuel) - many of these minor hoses work ok - but watch the assumption that “it can’t be this $5 hose”.
Many of the materials were not thoroughly re-tested for modern fuel mixtures - they did some accelerated testing, which is nominally OK. But if your friends start having weird engine management problems - look at the unimportant little hoses first. Starting at 100K miles.
Fuel pumps and carbs - are usually well tested - as they are “important”. Its the little hoses and seals - like related to low temp idle sensor, etc.
As an aside - anyone discussing how dysfunctional our society has become - when archaelogists look back - they will see that we are burning food (ethanol) just to make our cars run. Very Easter Island.