Ethanol Beast?

[THE_SHRUB]

Ive got a 5 hp Tecumseh enduro engine. Its relatively new and I decided that for a school project i would convert the engine to run on E85 ethanol. I was just wondering if anyone knew how to do this.

From as far as i can tell, the carb jets simply need to be resized, which i dont know how to do. Plz correct me if this is wrong.

If what I said above is correct, i was thinking of getting a tecumseh carb off of a similar engine from as snowblower so that i have the ability to adjust the high and low speed jets. The current carb lacks the previously stated ability.

I am also aware that this will likely shorten the engines lifespan and make it difficult to start.

Any ideas much appreciated

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Ethanol is a wimpy fuel, real men run strait methanol.

You will need an aftermarket carb (a mikunni in the high 20mm range will do), you cant adjust one of those snow thrower carbs for alchohol. Some timing advance will also help things.

 

[jr dragster T]

Ethanol is a wimpy fuel, real men run strait methanol.

I agree! Nothing like 138 octane 100% methanol.

 

[Justin]

I agree! Nothing like 138 octane 100% methanol.

wow, i just got 2x suzuki katana engines. need minor work. where do i get 138octane 100% methanol at and how much per gallon?? lol btw is it easy to convert it to run on straight methanol???? lol

 

[jr dragster T]

Sure it's easy if you have the right stuff. Where to get it? Go to Home Depot and buy Methyl Hydrate. It's only about $7 for 1 gallon.

 

[Justin]

Sure it's easy if you have the right stuff. Where to get it? Go to Home Depot and buy Methyl Hydrate. It's only about $7 for 1 gallon.

hmmm is it hard on a engine?

 

[Russ2251]

Eats aluminum...eventually.

 

[jr dragster T]

Methanol burns VERY cleanly as it has no hydro carbons and is 99.9% pure. No carbon build up at all on anything.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Its harder on the motor, go to a race track and ask where to get it.

 

[jr dragster T]

Uhhm I already told him where to get it for dirt cheap. And dont go around a race track trying to buy fuel. It's not alloud in alot of tracks.

 

[THE_SHRUB]

so would it be possible to convert the engine above to methanol instead?

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Yep, just needs a carb and a flywheel key.

 

[THE_SHRUB]

what carb do you suggest and where from? or at least how can i find out for myself which carb i need to get?

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

I would go with a used slide carb 22mm should do maybe a little bigger. Put a straight pipe exhaust on it.

 

[THE_SHRUB]

Whats the difference between a regular carb and a slide carb?

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Throttle opening is a slide that blocks off the tube compared to a butterfly valve on the stock unit. You want one for its large selection of jets and lack of rubber in most(alcohol+rubber=no good).

 

[jr dragster T]

Switching to methanol wont be such a big performance upgrade anyway. If your worried about engine life then going full bore on alky is not for you. I'd invest in a cam or something else.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

We are dealing with a cheapo tec kart motor, nothing past stock parts.

 

[THE_SHRUB]

the whole idea is not so much performance as it is to show that you can run an engine on an alternative fuel. Thats why i was going to go for ethanol initially. Im thinking of maybe buying this to replace the stock carb

http://elescooterparts.com/parts/gas/carb/pz22/PZ22_Carburetor.html

Think that will do?

O also im aware that its gonna kill the motor real fast...

Finally, would i need to remove the governor? Cuz im pretty sure i would

 

[Russ2251]

would i need to remove the governor?

Because of fuel being used? No.