Ford's first "Alternative Fuel" vehicle? Will a 1931 Ford Model A run on E85? Diesel? Moonshine?

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[@ModelA]

I think the hotter the engine got, the better it ran on diesel. Weird. E-85 was a real surprise. Science!!

[@AstraWerke]

Some tractors in europe and great britain were sold with two tanks: Start and warm up on gasoline, then switch over to diesel or petroleum. Probably something about vaporization and so on

[@ModelA]

@@AstraWerke Hey Adrian. It's all science and stuff.

[@elosogonzalez8739]

Speaking of alternative fuels, does anyone run a Model A with Propane; Works well with my hot air balloons

[@jeffjennings6117]

I remember an article in “The Restorer” in the 70s or 80s about running on alcohol. The author had to heat the carburetor to get the alcohol to atomize correctly so it could burn properly in the cylinders.

[@brettmacdonald6777]

My 1940s John Deere Model H tractor has 2 tanks.

[@dennishutchinson]

Paul, the old farm tractors used to run on kerosene or distillates which is about the same as diesel fuel. They had a small tank for gasoline used to start the tractor. Once started on gasoline, they would run the engine till hot and switch to kerosene. Before shutting it down they would switch back to gasoline and then shut it down. Some of the tractors also had a water tank to inject water into the intake manifold. This would increase the economy of operation. 👍 I love your’s and Model T’s videos, keep up the great stuff!

[@garycamara9955]

Diesel is not anywhere near alcohol, or kerosene.

[@ModelA]

Yep. My neighbor still uses the antique dozer he has that has a gas powered pony motor to start the big diesel. What a contraption.

[@samuelcorbin3694]

Yes we had a B John Deere that had two tanks, the big one was used for kerosene and the little one for gasoline starting and getting it warm, before switching over. it was designed for this, but we mostly used gas in the 50s and 60s,

[@JohnCarringer]

Diesel is not at all like alcohol, but diesel, kerosene, jet A, JP-5, paint thinner and charcoal lighter are all petroleum distillates of varying degrees of refinement. @@garycamara9955

[@MattMorris481]

@@garycamara9955 Not alcohol, but kerosene is actually called #1 diesel fuel oil.

[@carolynlanger8383]

My father was in high school during World War II and ran his Model A on kerosene. He had a shut-off valve in the full line and started the car on gasoline poured into the carb. Then slowly opened the valve to wean the engine onto the kerosene. Also mentioned that he ran two head gaskets to lower the compression. He and his buddy had to remove the head to chip out the carbon every ten days or so. Stumbled onto your site a few weeks ago and thoroughly enjoy. Thanks.

[@ModelA]

Your dad was smart.

[@56Spookdog]

My dad was also a teen during WWII, he also used kerosene when he couldn’t get gas. My dad lived at the top of 10th Ave. in San Francisco it’s a long steep hill. Dad said his Model A wouldn’t start by turning the key with the kerosene so he’d roll down the hill in hopes it would start (it wasn’t always successful), he said it didn’t run great but got him around.

[@samuelmottweiler3833]

I saw an old ad for a wood gas contraption to mount on the back and run your model a off of that.

[@ModelA]

Yes, it's called a gasifier. No, I'm not gonna do that!

[@garycamara9955]

Ive seen one.

[@GeorgiaRidgerunner]

those wood gas things are neat but i would be to terrified to do it i mean it involves a fire to work but yeah on those history/discovery channel alaska themed shows a feller had himself a wood gasifier set up to run a vehicle also theres more than a few video of people rigging up a gasifier on modern ish vehicles

[@ldnwholesale8552]

@@GeorgiaRidgerunner Late 70s we had a US engineer who ran his big Dodge wagon on one for several years. It ended up getting hit in the rear and was very lucky there was no fire. This is South Oz

[@GeorgiaRidgerunner]

@@ldnwholesale8552 its crazy how many alternatives there are to actual gasoline if alternative sources is something youre interested in may i suggest looking up carbide acetalyne generators as well as homemade alternator generators (i built an alternator generator/ battery charger) theres all sorts of ways to produce fuel and electrity its a great thing to be knowledgable about in case of a power outage

[@GeoffreyCohen-z9x]

Thanks for the demo.. FYI you would have had a better chance with a higher proof mystery fuel like everclear.

[@markwitkop7022]

I ran out of gas in a 1985 Ford Ranger. I bought 2 quarts of rubbing alcohol and 3 cans of gas dryer. I made it to the gas station 1/2 mile away. I would not reccomend it, but it worked.

[@romjone4801]

Excellent video! Thanks for trying out the different fuels. I once knew a fellow from Tennessee, who he replaced his spark plugs with corn cobs. How he did this was to run thick wires through the corn cob(electrodes) and shove the corn cob into the cylinder head. The car idled fine. But when he accelerated, the corn cobs flew out and dented his hood.

[@Gumboot-Cowboy]

My dad had an old Plymouth truck with a flathead 6 engine that he ran only on diesel. 2 Cylinders were configured as an air compressor, and another 2 were just disabled... When I bought my first vehicle a 1946 Ford Jailbar I ran that on diesel too 18 years and never missed a beat. Also my jailbar only had 3 working cylinders.

[@alexiskai]

OK, so I know that Paul knows this, but for folks watching: "moonshine," or any other hard liquor like vodka, is about 50/50 alcohol and water. Water has a very high specific heat, meaning that it absorbs lots of energy. When you atomize the moonshine, suck it into the combustion chamber, and spark it, even assuming the alcohol ignites, the water in the mixture will absorb most of the combustion energy, leaving little to power the piston. That's why it won't run on moonshine. Too much water.

[@rileysmith8288]

Some of the grain alcohols go up to 190 proof, which 95% alcohol and 5% water. I bet it'd run on that. Hell, E85 is only 85% alcohol, I don't see why the strong stuff wouldn't work.

[@alexiskai]

@@rileysmith8288 Oh I bet it would work, I'm just saying the stuff he bought is likely 100 proof or less, as is most of the liquor people might think to try, and that's why it won't work.

[@russelmaclean4416]

Interesting video. You mentioned that the diesel smelled like burnt french fries. No chance there was frier fat mixed in. I've seen Dodge trucks with the Cummins diesel running on frier fat from restaurants and it smelled strongly if french fries. Straight diesel oil had no trace of the french fry smell. They don't seem to use it here as there's not a dependable supply and trouble with viscosity in the cold weather at times. Nice to know in a pinch we could use diesel to get home or to a gas station.

[@ModelA]

That swill the Commiefornia stations sell is "biodiesel blend", whatever that means. Not sure of the recycled fryer oil content, but it sure smelled like burnt hashbrowns. Alex is right, that moonshine was 100 proof according to the label. It would run with a lot of choke, but barely put out any power.

[@elosogonzalez8739]

After trying Moonshine many years ago in Tullahoma, Tennessee(Just a stones throw from Lynchburg, home of Jack Daniels) I can certainly say not only is it not for any automobile, it's not for people either! Lousy tasting stuff! My advice if you want to try it; SMALL SIPS ONLY.😂

[@Blue_Mudder]

Excellent test!!!! Funny thing in a recent video you were talking about how you wanted a Model A because it has no electronics and I commented that my wife and I wanted a duece an a half for the same reason. But, the duece and a halfs are actually labeled as multifuel engines! They can run on anything that goes bang including used motor oil and vegetable oil! There are warnings about running straight gas due to the lack of lubrication, but it will do in a pinch. Thank you for today's science lesson!

[@ModelA]

I have a friend (Weird, right?) who has one. I can confirm it will run on most oils, if you preheat them (it has a fuel tank heater). It does NOT like gasoline at all. If you heat up and filter the heck out of used motor oil, it runs happily. If the oil isn't preheated, it will complain.

[@danielbowen5610]

I was wondering as you drove with the diesel, if it would actually start without the bit of residual gasoline, but you covered even that. That was an enjoyable experiment to watch. Thanks for doing it!

[@rusttooresurrection813]

I had my doubts when you started this Paul...but this turned out to be a really fun video!

[@ModelA]

Great. Thanks!!

[@joealbert7773]

Diesel has about twice the BTU content of gasoline while alcohol has about half. I ran my race cars on straight alcohol and the fuel air mixture has to be really rich. One time while towing to a race, I ran my tow vehicle out of fuel. I had a lot of alcohol available so I dumped about 5 gallons in the tow truck. It started, but wouldn't pull. I stopped and adjusted the carburetor choke to where is was almost closed. It then started and ran pretty well. It was at least enough to go about 5 miles to a filling station.

[@definethedollar]

Wow! I was so scared when you put that diesel in there...never would have done that myself, but now I know in a pinch its ok. Thanks, that's science! 😁

[@ModelA]

It could get you home!

[@BillB23]

I would imagine that one had to use shine straight from the still, around 95% ethanol. What you used was approx. 50% water.

[@angelbrown6546]

Hello Paul. Thank you so much for the videos. You could make anyone fall in love with the Ford Model A. I’m a classic muscle car person but saw a Model A for sell a few weeks ago and purchased it. Took possession of it today and drove it for the first time ❤amazing. So much fun. I am so happy and thankful to your videos I know how to get it started and how to drive it because of you. Great job!

[@ModelA]

That is FANTASTIC!! Good work!

[@terrykeithley6183]

Paul, I have a jar of pure Harlen Co. Kentucky moon shine, 100proof. That should get you going lol. Stay safe Terry. 😊

[@ModelA]

We might have to save that for sippin on the porch.

[@samuelcorbin3694]

I Love looking out over the Hood as you drive

[@GeorgiaRidgerunner]

i literally took one sip of illegal shine one time and said never again it tasted the way that i would imagine rubbing alcohol would taste

[@leahbarnacle6956]

Hey Paul, you sure are look 👀 good. Guy in our club last year tried E85 with the same results as you got. When doing these types of experiments you need to stay close to home just in case.😜

[@ModelA]

Thanks!! Driving with E-85 in the tank was almost as scary as a room full of creepy dolls, but not quite.

[@leahbarnacle6956]

In the future when you visit us we will instruct all the dolls not to stare at you.😵‍💫

[@ModelA]

What happens if they see me naked?

[@leahbarnacle6956]

Don’t worry, they won’t be shocked. They see me that way all the time.🤪

[@ModelA]

@@leahbarnacle6956 I'm still scared.

[@garycrawley341]

Hi Paul , good to see you up and at em. I love those cars. Especially the smooth sound.

[@charlesdalton985]

Sometimes I think you are reading my mind. All the discussions lately remind me of stories my dad told. Prior to his service in WWII, he told me of people (including him) even running their cars on dry cleaning fluid (he had a 33 Ford Tudor). Yes, there was significant pinging, etc but it beat walking. Rationing gasoline caused a lot of creative solutions. I was completely surprised by the diesel. And I was in hysterics with the moonshine segment. 😂. Thank you as always, hopefully this helps settle some of the debate. Have a great week ~ Chuck P.S. Should have tried RC Cola, I know I run better since you turned me on to that.

[@Dan-qy1rg]

Back in the late 70's my dad had a 74 Chevy with a 350 c.i. which he put a tank of diesel in and ran it, to clean the engine, he said. Well it didn't want to run too good, but it did run. I think he just wanted to have a little fun, but I never really knew what the real outcome was. Tina is so funny, doing that chugging bit cracked me up, she's definitely got a good sense of humor. Good test Paul, thanks for sharing the results, have a blessed weekend!

[@ModelA]

Tina is like living with a cartoon sometimes. Thanks!

[@williamforbes5826]

That's what my wife says about me!

[@charlieberry282]

Old John Deere two cylinders had all fuels, start on gas, get the heat up and switch to diesel. Be sure to switch back to gasoline before you shut it off.

[@ModelA]

My neighbor's 1930's dozer is the same. He still uses it all the time!

[@larescats9228]

Engines that run on alcohol require larger jets and then by that uses more fuel than normal. Learn that from running alcohol sand dragsters But that is a good test. Didnt think it would run on diesel. Wow. Another great video. Larry

[@ModelA]

That makes sense. i had the GAV way open on alcohol. I should have opened it more.

[@tuberculosisoxcart1685]

Now this is quality reality television. A clearly loving couple having fun enjoying a hobby together. And I learned something. Bonus. First time I have heard model A and snappy in the same sentence.

[@jaysho5461]

What about a Flathead V8? Also, you should make a follow up video, and take it to a dyno, and test it with each different fuel. Also Kerosene.

[@ModelA]

I don't know squat about the V8s

[@LocoFan611]

Thank-you for being braver than almost all of your viewers. Very interesting results and commentary. Now, I have some leftover kerosene and I’ve been wondering about how I’m going to dispose of it . . .

[@ModelA]

Mix it in!

[@wagnerperes4805]

Amazing test Paul! Here in Brasil we have a poor gasoline and etanol too....and Diesel of course! It made me want to buy one more after testing it!

[@TexWillis]

Excellent video. If you make a part 2, put it on a Dyno and see what torque readings you get at different rpm’s. In a side note, the rumor down here in the South is to put a gallon of diesel in a full tank to prevent vapor lock. Seeing it run in diesel, then it seems like a gallon mixed into a full tank shouldn’t be a problem at all. It seems that the diesel would have a slower evaporation rate, and would help prevent vapor lock.

[@ModelA]

Hey Tex! How are you, brother?? Going to NM in June?

[@mine_addict]

Coil a copper diesel line two turn around the exaust manifold before feeding it to the carb

[@davidgrisez]

This video reminded me of an article I read many years ago about a man who lived in Cuba that had a heavily modified 1957 Chevrolet that he used as a Cuban Taxi. In a country where most of the cars are old 1950s American cars this man modified this old Chevrolet to be a dual fuel vehicle with two fuel systems. One fuel system was gasoline, the other for when gasoline was scarce was heating oil fuel. According to the article he had to start the car on gasoline. After the car was running on gasoline he could switch over to heating oil. The car engine would make a lot less power and considerably more smoke when running on heating oil.

[@CaptHollister]

I remember a similar article in Car and Driver. It dealt with the impact of the break up of the Soviet Union and the end of Soviet exports of oil to the island. The car in question was used to ply the tourist trade, which is what most of these old American cars are used for. The alternative fuel wasn't heating oil (for which Cubans have no use), but naphtha. In reality, the majority of cars in Cuba are current Korean or Chinese with a number of European and Japanese cars also in the mix. There are also many old Eastern European cars from the Soviet era still being used as daily drivers. I also saw several more recent US cars on the island (Chevy Monza, Pontiac Sunbird, Lincoln Town car), probably imported from Canada or perhaps South America. Nowadays, when you see an old US car in Cuba, it's probably best not to look under the hood: many of them have powertrains out of old Soviet trucks. Whatever it takes to keep it running and earning its keep. The tourists who pay to ride in them don't really care one way or the other.

[@williamarwood7737]

Thank you again for another informative and entertaining video. Was worrying for you about starting again on diesel. I've walked home before. Funny how Model T knows about other alternative fuels. Listerine. Fingernail polish. 🤪 Ha, Ha! Love your videos! 🙂

[@ModelA]

Model T knows WAY too much sometimes!!

[@ricardoescobar9154]

Ver interesting video like always Paul. There are some moonshine and other hard liquor that are 3/4 alcohol or 151 proof that I believe might make the engine run. Thank you and model T for your great videos! Saludos, Ricardo from Mexico City

[@ceratliff553]

Where else in the world do we get to tag along with this kind of experiment. Thanks Shinn this just made 2024 much cooler! PS great work Model T!

[@joostderidder]

I remember "dual-fuel" tractors ... starting on normal gasoline and once warm you had to change to kerosene. (was a lot cheaper than gasoline) I suppose that, if you could warm-up the diesel-fuel just enough to "vaporise" better, the engine will run more or less OK even if you'll have to make the mixture "richer" (maybe). Another test that you could do is using "thinner" (for paint) or "White-spirit" but I think that especially with that last one, you'll have the same result as with kerosene.

[@danielhomant2832]

Ole Smokey! It does indeed come from Tennessee, I've been to their distillery a couple times to pick things up. Their moonshine pickles, cherries, and other such items are very flavorful and a great way to liven up a sandwich or treat. The flavored shine is far milder and as well as flavorful and pleasantly drinkable. Next test could be a wood gasifier to see how it runs and how much wood you would need to run vs gas.

[@ModelA]

I know what a gassifier is, but I'm not going that far. I remember a guy who drove a 70's station wagon across the US with one. Interesting for sure!

[@walt66a]

I've run diesel I newer vehicles (60's) and found that they will do fair if the engine is hot and don't give them too much throttle all at once.

[@ModelA]

That's exactly what I learned here. Neat!!

[@ShootingCars]

I've always been curious about this!

[@ModelA]

Me too. I think the E-85 would have been better if I re-jetted the carb.

[@steveduecker9872]

I thought e85 would work too! I was surprised diesel worked at all because of the low compression. One time, I threw match in a puddle of it and it put the match out.

[@ModelA]

It was a surprise to all of us!

[@alexlail7481]

I ran a 4 barrel carburetred 84 F-150 on E-85 as an experiment in the early 2000's.... my conclusion was that if it were easily and permanently available in my area I would have considered the mods needed. To function well I think it needed something like low 10:1 range compression ratio minimum and the ability to accurately flow about 15% more fuel at Idle and mid range.... wide open on interstate was fun .... just off idle in traffic was crazy...

[@ModelA]

I bet!

[@jasestegall4113]

As always, Great video! The moonshine that you purchased was half water. with Alcohol made for consumption the "proof" is how much alcohol is in the product for example 80 proof products such as Crown Royal & Black Velvet are 40% alcohol by volume. 100 proof products such as Whistle Pig 10 year old is 50% alcohol by volume. when alcohol is distilled usually at best comes out of the process at about 190 proof or 95% alcohol, then cut with water to the desired proof. The closest thing you can purchase at least here in Nevada to that is Everclear which sold in Nevada is 190 proof and that is something more like the old timers would have used.

[@ModelA]

Yea, I did mention that. It still took my breath away!!

[@jimadams5574]

I always had the feeling that Tina was a party hgal! LOL - She is so much fun! lots of laughs, great vid

[@ModelA]

You and I could never keep up with her

[@teop7887]

E85 is highly corrosive though. You got a new sub! Great videos 😁👍

[@ModelA]

Thanks for the sub!

[@2duser2]

Hi guys. That was very interesting. This is not a criticism, but I think if you had NO alternative to running Kerosene or diesel or moonshine and you spent more time fiddling with timing and mixture that there may be a way to have a model a run reliably on an alternative fuel. I remember that in the 70s the Offenhauser Indianapolis cars ran alcohol as their fuel., so running on alcohol is possible just don't know what was involved in making that happen. Your moonshine sip made me laugh. Thanks for an entertaining and educational morning!

[@ModelA]

Agreed. Like I said, if someone were playing with the GAV, I think alcohol would have worked better.

[@dmc3472]

"Please start, please start, please start." Been there!

[@ModelA]

Too many times...

[@markhull5776]

Paul, I wish you had thought about Coleman camp fuel. It's actually white gas from what I understand, although Wikipedia says it's closer to naptha. Smells more like gasoline to me though. It's got an octane of about 60. I think that low compression A would do pretty good on it.

[@JohnCarringer]

White gas is naptha.

[@rynetakeuchi4382]

I didn’t think it would run on 50/50 moonshine, because of the 50% water. In Hawaii most gas stations only have E85. So what do you use in your Model A? I’m just surprised that you used your coupe instead of Stella. Great video!!

[@RandomDude989]

That moonshine has been "proofed" meaning diluted with water.

[@ModelA]

Ah. Makes sense.

[@bobbrinkerhoff3592]

They proof it for two reasons, first a run goes farther , and secondly , most people couldn't handle shine straight from the worm .

[@jkrause365]

The experiment was worth it. But I'm not as positive about the results as you are. While the diesel was a qualified success, I wouldn't have said even that much for the E85, and the white lightning was a decided failure. But I wonder about the water content of the booze.

[@ModelA]

I think if I fiddled more, the E-85 would have been OK. The diesel was a total surprise though.

[@randalldrake4704]

I would have been interested in a gas diesel 50/50 mix attempt. Accidently pumped gas onto a fiesel rig once, drained, added to partial tank of gas in my 59 f100. Ran fine, started good. Didnt yry to haul loads till diesel was gone though, prob would have burned pistons...

[@ModelA]

It probably would have just ran like normal

[@ohbillytv179]

I wonder if you could use used vegetable oil, Trans fluid ect like some diesels can run on?

[@ModelA]

Try it!

[@jeffdriver3000]

My grandfather had a Minneapolis-Moline tractor from the 40's that started on gasoline then you switched it to distillate. He only ran it with gasoline

[@ModelA]

My neighbor has an antique dozer like that. He still uses it all the time.

[@mikecarbone828]

I was surprised to see that the Model A would run on diesel fuel, and it likely would have run well on alcohol if it was more pure instead of a diluted form, however it would have been detrimental to the gaskets, and the spark gap would have to have been adjusted to compensate for the flash point of the alcohol. This was an interesting experiment. Thank you for sharing your experience with us all, and posting this video! Please have an excellent and awesome day! ☀️✨🏎️

[@ModelA]

Thank you I agree.

[@jarredcorby7170]

Can I ask you a question on my model AA on why it’s not running right?

[@alanmize5627]

it takes compression and heat for alcohol to work and that shine was probably 50 50 alky and water. alcohaol racers usually start on gas unless the eng is warm.

[@ModelA]

Yea, true

[@michaeljohnson4130]

I love the experiment! It is my hypothesis that with California limiting the alcohol content for sale (for consumption) to 120 proof (60% ethanol... and the rest basically water) that was too low of a percentage of combustible fuel. I would also hypothesize that a higher proof spirit, (Say Everclear (R) 190 proof = 95% ethanol, it would run on it similar to the E85.

[@ModelA]

That would be cool to try

[@biondanishgenomeinstitute8193]

My grandfather mentioned kerosene was sort of ok. A Triumph spitfire could do that too. It might run on fine-filtered rapeseed oil, gas prices are 2.5 times higher than yours you know. Some diesel owners do this, but it must be the clear version, not the yellow stuff with residue. Btw, some years ago the city buses of Goeteborg were tested on pure alcohol. These Swedes found that the most cost-effective way to get alcohol was to distill cheap Italian red wine. Imagine the reaction of the Italian newspapers when they found out that city buses ran on their wine. With the diesel, perhaps there has to be a certain airflow to create small enough drops that the burn gets efficient enough ..

[@ModelA]

Hahahaa!! Those surrender-at-any-cost French wine snobs think their wine is so great... I can't stand it. But I don't have the taste for wine at all. Bleh.

[@JefferyHall-ct2tr]

HI Friends!: REALLY interesting experiments! Would have been interesting to see what it might have done on Camp Fuel! I bet it would run better than on either E85 or Diesel. Kerosene would have also been interesting, but probably would have been similar to Diesel. It is possible that rejetting the carb might improbe performance on either alcohol or diesel/kerosene. Thanks for a really cool and interesting video!

[@kenrhoda2573]

Great video Paul! Very interesting

[@ModelA]

Glad you enjoyed it Ken.

[@douglasnieblas74]

Wow nerve wracking video. You are definitely more brave than me.

[@ModelA]

Drive it like you know how to fix it, man!!

[@gregboyer3585]

Now I had always heard that it would run on other things. What I always heard was if you had a broken spark plug and didn't have a replacement that a small length of broom stick and a nail could get you there in place of the broken plug I think that was just bunk! After thinking about it over the years I think that was bunk also because you wouldn't have a way to create a gap, right!?

[@austinalling8480]

I run the same gas that I put in my daily. Runs great every time.

[@mr_paw_t]

Very interesting video. Was also curious! Have a good week.

[@robertdavidson3090]

I guess when it came to fuel way back when the thought was "any port in a storm". I figured it would not run on the moonshine and I knew what Tina was going to do when she took the funnel from you at the end. I was chanting Chug Chug Chug!!

[@ModelA]

She's a hoot.

[@garyaxsom1815]

Have to admit those are tough engines.

[@stewpadasso297]

I was thinking when he put the shine in it was going to be like back to the future III when Doc put booze in the DeLorean. 😂

[@ModelA]

Gahahaaa!!

[@terabytemc]

Hi Paul I tried mixed fuel once it wouldn’t start

[@ModelA]

It won't run on mixed drinks, like margaritas?

[@rlvdogg]

Thank you. I really enjoyed this episode.

[@ModelA]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@paulwinson1137]

I ran my Model A in high school in the 1960's on 5 gallons of Napha soap which was free and 4 gallons of gasoline @23.9 cents per gallon it would run all evening for $1, but needed eyther to start

[@ModelA]

Cleanest engine in town!

[@truthreigns7]

Am I correct in saying the fuel water separator is also called a sediment bowl?

[@ModelA]

Yes

[@millardiii]

I am pretty sure it will run on Benzene since this was during the time that Henry Ford was advocating replacing gasoline with Benzene. He even opened a bunch of Benzene fuel stations

[@christianstage1501]

Great stuff - educational and funny at the same time. Maybe 1/2 whatever and 1/2 gas would do the trix and be a more realistic setup.

[@markmichlewicz5141]

I thought it would run pretty good on e85..i was surprised by the results.

[@alexiskai]

Ethanol works better at higher compressions. Modern turbocharged engines do very well on ethanol. I bet with a 7:1 head you could get enough energy to at least toodle around town.

[@ModelA]

Yea, but with low compression stock Model A motor, not as well as expected. It was OK in a pinch.

[@joelb740]

You need to run Bacardi 151 rum. 50% is too much water. With the 151 it will run like the E85. I tried it in my '29 Model A just for grins...

[@ModelA]

But how does it taste? You know, in case the car doesn't want to drink alone.

[@donaldfuller5058]

The ford model T was built for farmers I mind the fuel mixture and timing can be adjusted for high alcohol fuel like e85 but not on alcohol alone. Now did he carry it to the model A I don’t know. There was Ethel fuel ( leaded gasoline) that was high octane gas. And alcohol additives was to expensive. There is a video on leaded gasoline and how and who made it. It is a must watch.

[@ModelA]

Thanks!

[@johnneedy3164]

Back in the depression Era my grandfather ran his model A on fuel a man in the Westend of Louisville made ,from chicken poop 😊

[@ModelA]

Hahaaa! Lots of Chicken Sh... jokes come to mind.

[@stevelech2439]

I wonder if substances such as Everclear (basically 200 proof alcohol) or rubbing alcohol would work?

[@ModelA]

I would suspect yes

[@patmccarthy5069]

Model A Guy words of wisdom - “I’m never doing that again.” I didn’t think your car was going to run on any of the fuels and was amazed when the diesel fuel fired and idled. Model T is the real hero to save the Moonshine!

[@ModelA]

Hahaa! Yep

[@rickysoffroadrecovery]

LOL I didn't know your wife had a drinking problem..😂😂😂😂. Great video good to know GB🙏

[@ModelA]

Hahhaaa!! Yep!

[@txsailor57]

I think it would have ran on Tina's nail polish remover which is acetone with a little lanolin in it. It might not have been real happy though.

[@ModelA]

Probably right

[@mackfisher4487]

Gas cans, love the 5 gal army gas cans. hate the new plastic jugs.

[@davidclarke10]

How do these 1920s cars differ from tail fin 1950s cars?

[@ModelA]

These are much cooler.

[@victoriahortus]

Whar adout Webber Carburettor \ Carburettors on a model A

[@ModelAToo]

I think I know what Paul will say about the Weber Carburetor...

[@rileysmith8288]

@@ModelAToo What would he say? It's not original?

[@ModelA]

After making an icky face, he would say "Junk!". Just guessing.. I'll go ask him.

[@victoriahortus]

😒😅

[@ModelAToo]

@@ModelA LOL! Thanks Paul.

[@flyovercounty1427]

Great experiments. I am not an expert not even an internet one. Alcohol/methanol fueled engines use more fuel (30% ish?) in the ratio and more timing advance than gasoline will tolerate. E-85 gasohol is sumthin like 130 octane equivalent. Your mileage per gallon will be less.

[@ModelA]

Yea, it took a lot of GAV and a lot of timing to run on 85. If I fiddled with it more, it probably would have ran just fine.

[@douggrenard91]

That is a beautiful Model A.

[@ModelA]

Thank you!

[@scottbenauer1189]

It probably would have ran ok on kerosene. We had a tractor when I was a kid that started on gas and you switched to kerosene. We always ran it on gas but the old Farmall M had the provisions to switch fuel.

[@ModelA]

I bet it would

[@russelmaclean4416]

Our gasoline doesn't have much ethanol in it. In Nova Scotia the low test and mid grade may contain up to 10% ethanol but high test doesn't contain any. So with low test or regular or mid grade which is half regular and half high test there is no noticeable difference in performance. High test will eventually have ethanol. Our cars here are E85 engines but there's not any E85 fuel here. With the A Fords there's no problem with gas lines or carburetors as they are all steel and brass and cast iron construction. The aftermarket Tillotson and others can be a problem. I never use them Zenith only.Ethanol gas gives poorer gas milage. There is a good article a year or two ago in the Model T Times the official journal of the Model T Ford Club International . It's really worth a read. I see no advantage in ethanol gas as it lowers gas milage. How can you burn more and pollute less. Makes no sense. It's really bad for any seasonally used engine or little used engine with a white metal carburetor as it collects moisture and can ruin them very quickly. Water in gasoline if left dissolves white metal if not drained before storage. The small engine equipment dealers here recommend using high test only.

[@danpease8395]

Do you have a little icon on the dash that tells you which side the fuel fill is on?😂

[@ModelA]

Yep! It's right next to the "check engine" light! Hahaha

[@snupi_nut]

Popcorn Sutton run his on moonshine .haha

[@awo1fman]

I think the problem with the "moonshine" was that it didn't actually have enough alcohol versus the totally incombustible ingredients It is probably half alcohol and half water. Everclear might have a much better chance. The thing about E85 is that it is 100% combustible, with the other 15% being actual gasoline. But alcohol requires a very different air to fuel ratio than gasoline, and it needs more volume of air and fuel as well. My "flex fuel" F150 ran great on E85, but got truly half the mileage that it did on regular gasoline. Alcohol has less energy than gasoline. You can get more power with E85 than on gasoline alone, but you have to get more air and alcohol into the cylinders than for an equivalent amount of power with gasoline. So, I'm not surprised that it ran, but not well, on E85 and didn't want to run at all on that moonshine. The surprise to me was how well it ran on diesel. I figured it would run, but that it was actually driveable was nice. Of course, if gasoline were scarce, diesel would be as well for all the same reasons, so it would not be a very realistic alternative.

[@ModelA]

I was very surprised!!

[@Longshadowsmodeltrees]

Love your channel, been watching for a few years now....Your lucky that diesel don't blow that motor...But...It's all for Science.

[@ModelA]

Thanks. Carefully controlled scientific research...

[@tylercoffelt2858]

Would you say 10k is good for a almost brand new looking model a Tudor

[@ModelA]

10 grand could get you a decent running/drivng tudor

[@aronhoward919]

I believe that store bought moonshine is cut with water to 40% so real straight shine would probably work?

[@ModelA]

I think you're right

[@danpease8395]

To be fair, I think you need to start it on gas, then switch over to moonshine. That last time you tried to start it on E-85, it never had a chance to get to the moonshine.

[@paulschleeve5210]

From what i understand, alcohol likes compression. A model a at 4.2 to 1 probably isn't the optimum. Some street rodders running e85 are running 11 to 1. Alcohol compesates for poorer breathing as it has a high oxygen content. That's why less btus

[@ModelA]

I think if I could have gotten the mixture even more rich, it would have ran better.

[@jt1454]

I'm not done with my comments after watching half of your video and haven't seen any other viewer comments either. I did notice your diesel can has no pouring spout on it! I'm surprised you didn't spill more "diesel" fuel on the area around the fuel cap area with no spout and a large funnel!! You put "Biodiesel" in it? according to what you smell out of the exhaust?

[@ModelA]

There are hundreds of comments. Weird that your browser didn't show them. In Commiefornia, I think biodiesel is all we can get. That jug is one I use to fuel the generators at work. See my "What I do for a living" video and you will see the very same jug pouring diesel fuel into a generator.

[@moosehand8721]

You need a larger jet in the carb for e85

[@ModelA]

Yea, I think you're right.

[@ModelAToo]

Good video Paul. Thanks!

[@ModelA]

Thank you! My stupidity is entertaining.

[@ModelAToo]

@@ModelA LOL! I shared this video with a buddy and he liked it. :)

[@ModelAToo]

@@ModelA You know who I am, right?

[@ModelA]

HS