running our cars on E85

[jsceash]

Originally Posted by AKnowles

Um, I beleive you've missed the most important aspect of NOT runnig E85 gas on any vehicle not designed for it ... meaning gasket issues. E85 support requires gaskets that will not interact with the high ethonal content.

You do realize the gaskets are stainless steel edged in Viton.

[AKnowles]

Originally Posted by jsceash

You do realize the gaskets are stainless steel edged in Viton.

By using the term gaskets, I used it rather losely and should have also included O-Rings and other components. Bottom line is it is NOT recommended to use E85 in any vehicle not expressly certified for E85 use.

BTW: I've loked at some pictures of the engine gasket kists. Out of curiousity mostly. Are you saying all the gaskets show are steel lived with Viton? Or should be to meet OE specifications? If so, I'll have to keep that in mind if I ever buy a rebuild kit.

[jsceash]

Originally Posted by AKnowles

By using the term gaskets, I used it rather losely and should have also included O-Rings and other components. Bottom line is it is NOT recommended to use E85 in any vehicle not expressly certified for E85 use.

BTW: I've loked at some pictures of the engine gasket kists. Out of curiousity mostly. Are you saying all the gaskets show are steel lived with Viton? Or should be to meet OE specifications? If so, I'll have to keep that in mind if I ever buy a rebuild kit.

The head gasket is 3ply stainless with Viton around each seal edge. The water pump and thermostat which do not contact any fuel but still are stainless with Viton on the edges. The exhaust gasket stamped stainless. Most other metal surfaces are sealed with a carbonized silicon sealant which also would not react to the E85. Almost every o-rings used in the engine is Viton. They have to be so the synthetic oils do not affect them.
I don't recommend using E85 but it because the octane rating can be 100 to 105. Higher octane means a hotter faster burn. This change ignitions time in relation to engine timing that the engine is not tune for. That increase the possibility of burning a valve or seat.

[Gforrest2]

Originally Posted by jsceash

The head gasket is 3ply stainless with Viton around each seal edge. The water pump and thermostat which do not contact any fuel but still are stainless with Viton on the edges. The exhaust gasket stamped stainless. Most other metal surfaces are sealed with a carbonized silicon sealant which also would not react to the E85. Almost every o-rings used in the engine is Viton. They have to be so the synthetic oils do not affect them.
I don't recommend using E85 but it because the octane rating can be 100 to 105. Higher octane means a hotter faster burn. This change ignitions time in relation to engine timing that the engine is not tune for. That increase the possibility of burning a valve or seat.

I thought higher octane burns slower to prevent detonation.

[jsceash]

Originally Posted by Gforrest2

I thought higher octane burns slower to prevent detonation.

Your confusing flash point with burn speed. It increases the flash point. The temperature and pressure that an ignition will start on it own. That prevents detonation.