Fuel/fuel filter

[gungfudan]

I have some questions about today's gas in carburetors and how often I should change my fuel filter.

I have been reading a lot on ethanol and come to the conclusion not to run it in my truck because it is carbureted. On the other hand I read that as long as you maintain, with treatments it is ok. 100% gasoline is as much as diesel. Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

My second question is:
First you need to know that I have a Mr. Gasket clear view fuel filter and it says I should change the filter every oil change. I am not used to that. So should I change it that often?

 

[Mikel89us]

Use stock filters and change them every 30000 miles less if you're paranoid. And with your truck, e85 will not work unless you re jet the carburetor for it. It takes 20-25% more e85 to maintain a proper fuel to air ratio. This causes a drop in mileage. But at the cost of it (3.45 here, and gas at 3.99) its actually more expensive to run than regular gas.

 

[RonD]

Unless carb is very old, from the 60's or 70's, and has never been rebuilt then I wouldn't worry about 10-15% ethanol mix.

The '88 fuel tank and the plastic filter will be fine as well.

If you will be storing the vehicle for 3 or more months I would put 100% gasoline in it, ethanol mixes can start to layer if are left sitting longer than 90 days.
But for daily or weekly or even monthly use it won't.

All the newer fuel system plastics and rubber are fine to use with ethanol.

Years ago fuel makers added Methyl tertiary-butyl ether(MTBE) to oxygenate gasoline and raise it's octane.
But a little MTBE can pollute alot of ground water, as discovered from leaking underground tanks, quite a few lawsuits involving MTBE.
So MTBE was changed to ethanol, which does the same thing(oxygenate gasoline and raise it's octane) but has much less environmental impact.

Unfortunately ethanol reacts with some plastics and rubbers used in older fuel systems, and because if holds moisture it can promote rust in metal parts, like metal fuel tanks.
Most fuel tanks are plastic or coated these days so really only an issue on vehicles 30-40 years old

 

[Mikel89us]

If its only 10-15% ethanol, you will be fine, but I assumed you are talking about e85.

 

[gungfudan]

No I am talking about E-10 to E-15. I am use it and get 100% gasoline every now and then. It is just cheaper to get E-10. I will just add ethanol treatment every now and then.