I pulled this via the Admin area (us sysops have our own way in) from TB2K. AND NO NONE of us are doing this for every thread. I just happen to want this one to continue because I want the answer TOO.

asked in the TimeBomb 2000 (Y2000) Q&A Forum -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A bit late to ask this, but it might be of use to all of you with generators or other gasoline-powered devices. If RC and co. are even halfway correct about the coming oil crisis, it might be nice to have vehicles gens etc that can be powered by other sources of fuel. Supposedly, diesels can run on refined vegetable oil (this in fact is how Herr Diesel demonstrated his new engine, by running it on peanut oil). But for those of us with gas-powered things, is there a way to convert to running on naturally producible fuels such as alcohol or methane? Jes' Thinkin'... Asked by Little Pig (littlepig@brickhouse.com) from on December 28, 1999. Answers Alcohol can damage various seals and "soft" parts of your engine and carb, unless they're designed with alcohol in mind. Propane and methane can power an engine, but you may ruin your valves unless they're designed for high-temperature service. You can run them on volatiles baked off of wood, but you'll need to filter out moisture and crud. FEMA has a manual you can order that tells you how to do it with a couple of metal drums, some fittings, and some silver solder. Perhaps someone can repost the ordering information. Answered by Ron Schwarz (rs@clubvb.com.delete.this) from on December 28, 1999 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I race methanol burning sprintcars so this is right up my ally.you can convert a gas engine to methanol by simply drilling out what ever jets the fuel mixture,allowing it more fuel.probly about 20% more fuel will be needed.it only drys out o-rings and gaskets over a long period of time,but you can buy a top end lube to mix with the methanol. Answered by eric micael (bizarr4@hotmail.com) from on December 28, 1999 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Let me get this straight. You want to set up a still make some alcohol strong enough to power an engine, and then your going to use it to go somewhere instead of drinking it? Answered by goldbug (goldbug@mint.com) from on December 28, 1999. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- eric: Thanks. Will this work for, say, a motorcycle engine? Ie is the higher compression a liability or a benefit? The engine I would be converting is a single-cylinder displacing about 650cc. Second, how does one go about producing fuel-grade methanol? Also, I would assume the methanol would degrade only those rubber parts it is in direct contact with, and not the oil seals on the engine. Is this correct? If so, can I get around this by using synthetic stuff, or coating it w/ something? Your input would be most appreciated. Jes' Thinkin'... Answered by Little Pig (littlepig@brickhouse.com) from on December 28, 1999 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Get a horse. Answered by (homer@jethros.digs) from on December 28, 1999. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Our racecar engines are 16/1 compression and 410 cubic in.,we have also converted 5 hp honda go-kart engines both run great.it will only dry out gaskets and o-rings that the fuel touches and only if you let it sit for a long time-more than a month.top end lube solves the problem though.you should be able to get a lube at a motorcycle shop. Answered by eric micael (bizarr4@hotmail.com) from on December 28, 1999. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- oh yeah-you can make methanol/ethanol just like moon shine...corn squeezins.if your in a racing area you can still get fuel for 1.50 a gallon in 55 gallon drums. Answered by eric micael (bizarr4@hotmail.com) from on December 28, 1999. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Don't forget that alcohol-burning engines run much cooler than an similar gasoline-burning engine. You might have to figure out a way to regulate the temp, be it a smaller radiator or a flow restrictor in the engine coolant flow line. A look at what the racers are using might be in order. Maybe the web site for somebody like Summit Racing or such. WW Answered by Wildweasel (vtmldm@epix.net) from on December 28, 1999. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- a 20% increase in methanol flow from gas is lean on the the methanol side.if your running it in a car 140 -230 degrees is a good operating temp.if you cant get enough temp simply block off the radiator.in a motor cycle or anything air cooled you shouldnt have a problem.methanol runs best at 40 degrees outside temp,the engine may start hard below 32,but will run fine when you get the engine temp up Answered by eric micael (bizarr4@hotmail.com) from on December 28, 1999. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Can you give us a name brand of a "top end lube"? Are you saying replace the regular engine oil with this special oil? You don't mean mix the lube with the fuel (like for a lawnmower or weedeater)? I am referring to an engine that runs on gas and has separate place to fill the oil... By the way, can any one remind me of an easy way to "proof" the alcohol? I've got some good instructions on how to operate a still, but can't remember how to tell how pure the goods are. By the way, did you know that the easiest way to distill moonshine is to put the jug in the deep freeze? The water freezes, and you can pour the alcohol off. Thanks Answered by Berry Picker (BerryPicking@yahoo.com) from on December 28, 1999. Contribute an answer to "Convert gas engine to alcohol?"

and frig the precedent.

Chuck

-- Chuck, a night driver (rienzoo@en.com), December 29, 1999

Answers

Tags tags

-- cleaning crew (sysops@re.human), December 29, 1999.

Well, here's hoping Eric found us here.

So to sum up: fuel-grade methanol can be made in a still, assuming you get it pure enough. To run it, get jets oversized enough to increase fuel flow by 20% (i.e. 20% more fuel for the same volume of air). On an air-cooled engine, operating temp should be no problem, though I may need to reduce the cooling system's efficiency to keep the engine warm enough. Now, when you converted those 5hp go-carts, did you need to deck the cylinder at all to raise compression? The bike I am thinking of using has a fairly complex head, and I am not sure how it would respond to being decked, or even if I can find someone who would still have the tools necessary to do the work. Can methanol run in lower-compression engines? And, does it make a difference if the engine is aluminum?

-- Little Pig (littlepig@brickhouse.com), December 29, 1999.

In gasoline engines ........you burn 15 parts air to one part gasoline you burn nine parts air to one part alcohol.

Pull the manual choke out about halfway and go. Or you may go to auto parts store and buy the proper size jets for alky.

BTW, I use methanol for starting fluid. Loosen nut on air cleaner housing cover. Pour on methanol. It runs down into carb. Secure nut. Start.

-- RT (Rngfr49@yahoo.com), December 29, 1999.

Does anyone know if wood alcohol can be used? I'd think the raw materials would be more plentiful, and it would probably cause fewer problems with the "revenooers". Plus, it wouldn't waste grain that could be used for human food or livestock feed.

If so, does anyone have any URLs that show how to make it?

As to the lube mentioned earlier, I think Marvel Mystery Oil might do the trick.

-- Ron Schwarz (rs@clubvb.com.delete.this), December 29, 1999.

just found you guys,felt like i lost a friend for a minute.marvel mystry oil will work fine just mix it with the methanol,but if you dont use it its not a huge problem.Although if you leave menthanol sit too long(over a month)it will gum up the fuel lines.compression doesnt seem to matter a whole lot,go kart engines were about 5:1.we even used the same spark plugs.A chemist would be better at telling you how to test purity,but the purer the better.

-- ERIC MICAEL (BIZARR4@HOTMAIL.COM), December 29, 1999.

Try these sites:

AltEnergys

Still Maker

Ecogenics

VeggieVan

H ome Distillation

Still Life

Carbuerator History

-- TM (mercier7@pdnt.com), December 29, 1999.

Just a note:

"Wood alcohol" is methanol, NOT to be confused with ethanol. Methanol is POISONOUS, and is not produced in a still. Ethanol is usually produced by fermentation, is purified in a still (di"still"ed), and is the type of alcohol used for drinking. Both types of alcohol are flammable, if pure enough, and may be used as fuel.

-- xraydoc (xraydoc1@excite.com), December 29, 1999.