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Saturday Night Racer >> RACE TECH >> Switching over to Methanol from Gas
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Message started by slick vic on 02/18/13 at 8:22am

Title: Switching over to Methanol from Gas
Post by slick vic on 02/18/13 at 8:22am

So I am trying to decide money wise if it will be worth switching over my Modified motor to Alcohol from race gas..????
SBC 388 stroker 13.4 comp
Race Gas,.drum...$550.00
Race Methanol,.....$170.00

What all will I have to change,.or get...????

Carb,.. can I just swap out the jets..???
Mechanicle fuel pump,..does it have to be specific for alky...???
Fuel pressure regulator w/ return line.??????

Any help appreciated.... ;)

Thank you in advance

Vic

Title: Re: Switching over to Methanol from Gas
Post by slick vic on 02/18/13 at 8:09pm

54 Views and no one has any input..????

I live in washington state so its not like I will be running you guys...lol

thanks
Vic

Title: Re: Switching over to Methanol from Gas
Post by ObertelloRacing on 02/18/13 at 8:27pm

New Carb needed the gas one will not work, you use anywhere from 1.5 to 2 times more ally than gas, fuel pump capable of 8 to 9 lbs of fuel press at wide open throttle yes you need some type of regulater. Look at spending at least $1500 switching over Carb pump reg bigger fuel lines? Bigger fuel cell? Gain some HP ...........

Title: Re: Switching over to Methanol from Gas
Post by mudslinger47 on 02/18/13 at 10:12pm

If your going to change over, check out the stuff in the classified. Buy a GOOD meaning kinda expensive fuel pump, the cheepos from Speedway won't work. Dana Beatie has a very nice Alky carb used for sale, give him a call 805 736 4515. Again buy a good "NEW" fuel pump.

Title: Re: Switching over to Methanol from Gas
Post by slick vic on 02/19/13 at 8:43am

How about starting the alky engine for the first time of the day,..Do you need to prime it with Gas...??? or a primer set up..??

Thank you for your inputs

Vic

Title: Re: Switching over to Methanol from Gas
Post by Ryan D. on 02/19/13 at 5:32pm

After a night of racing, drain all the fuel lines remove the plugs crank over the engine squirting some marvels in each hole.Drain the bowls on the Carb spray carb down real good with WD-40 Fill bowls back up with Gas. Then the next time you go to fire it off the Gas make it real easy to start and run

Title: Re: Switching over to Methanol from Gas
Post by jp80 on 02/19/13 at 5:52pm

holy smokes , you go through all that after every race? If it's gonna sit for more than 3 weeks drain the bowls.... at the end of the season empty everything of fuel... never had to use gas to start mine... ut yeah need alky carb, I use tandem power steering full pump but I'm sure you'll need a better fuel pump and regulator and supply and return fuel line..

Title: Re: Switching over to Methanol from Gas
Post by 33 pro on 02/20/13 at 9:54pm

I got a question as well since the gas is already in the carb for storage. You can just fire it like that. then the alky just comes in and your ready. Or do you do that get it up to temp and adjust if needed. I'm new to this too.

Title: Re: Switching over to Methanol from Gas
Post by Missle Motorsports on 02/20/13 at 11:16pm

Personally, if yer Not fighting a Cooling Issue in the Summer Months, I'd stick with GAS instead of going to Alky.

Title: Re: Switching over to Methanol from Gas
Post by slick vic on 02/21/13 at 7:15am

Thanks for all the responce and input guys,..!!!!

Wouldnt having the gas in the carb when you go to start up a carberated alky motor flood or be so rich and not run, because of the larger jetting and air passages,..????

Just trying to figure out cost effectivness running alky instead of gas.

thanks again

Vic

Title: Re: Switching over to Methanol from Gas
Post by rickdurica on 02/21/13 at 9:10am

I use between 15- 20 gals of alcohol in a normal night , wheel packing, heat race and main.

my maintenance program is like JP80's drain the carb if it sits for more then a couple of weeks, I send my carb back to willy's carb shop every couple of years for a clean out/tuneup that cost about $100.00
Alcohol is hard on your rubber lines dries them out and makes them un flexable , so you might buy the Teflon lined fuel lines, they won't get hard and brittle.

I run the block mounted Pro cam pump, bypass with a return

I had problems getting my car to start on alcohol when I had a no name alky carb and a Mallory distributor. but switching to a MSD and Willy's the car starts cold without priming even at the Duel in the desert (about as cold as it get for racing in Vegas)

Title: Re: Switching over to Methanol from Gas
Post by slick vic on 02/21/13 at 12:00pm

Hi Rick thanks for this type of Info,....

Should the pump be the 13-15psi..?? and which regulator should I get too...???

I am assuming the regulator will go between the pump and the carb,..dont these Pro Cam pumps have a return line fitting already and pressure is set..??

Not to use the word affordable but,.who has the better bang for the buck on a Alky 750 carb..???

Thanks again

Vic

Title: Re: Switching over to Methanol from Gas
Post by mudslinger47 on 02/21/13 at 4:57pm

We never did the line drain or any of that running from week to week either. We did run an oil upper lube in the fuel, kept the scaling to a minimum. I think the Akly must be a better grade then way back because we always got the same advice about the draining and what not but never did it.

PS starting it on gas just runs really rich and smokey for a few seconds, no big deal..I had a squirt bottle of gas on the cooler nights cause I hate grinding on the starter. Gas just starts quicker. Only used that on the initial start of the evening, after that no issues. Also remember, akly lean will burn you down in a heart beat, and the motor doesn't seem to care if its a little rich.

Title: Re: Switching over to Methanol from Gas
Post by socaldirtmod on 09/04/14 at 3:05pm

never drain the lines till end of season, quick squirt of gas to help start, alk is the way to go.

Title: Re: Switching over to Methanol from Gas
Post by formercrewguy on 09/07/14 at 5:25pm

The money you will save will be a wash. You will just spend it on beer anyway. ;D