Could t be as simple as using some Sta-Bil in the tank all of the time?

[AUTOHOLIC]

I was just reading the link below on the CF

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...arb-issue.html

Does anyone see a problem with running Sta-Bil all the time in our tanks on these old cars?
It sounds to me like the OPs problem is the crappy ethanol fuel we are stuck with today and maybe the Sta-Bil would be the cure.

THOUGHT?

[roadpilot]

Well, I am the last one to express a opinon on carbs. I grew up with carbs
and messed with them in my young life. Old men do not have as much time
on their hands, heh we still have a lot to do and not as much time. So years ago I started leaving the carbs behind for FI.. Presently I am running a
MSD FI on the 66. Four years and no problems but one sensor (and it still ran)
Setup,easy. You have a handheld computer. I stuck all electronics behind the glove box. There was no tuning after set up. So that is my FI pitch.
As far as additives are concerned ..a car that sits a great deal could use Sta Bil
but one that is run regular, I think it is a waste of money.

[AUTOHOLIC]

My though is that with all the talk about carbs being gummed up with varnished fuel from not being run regularly and some of the rubber in them that is not really compatible with ethanol that it may be a fix. I wish we had more contributors on this site that have carb experience that might chime in.

[roadpilot]

Me too. It is pretty lonely here.

[roadpilot]

Sta Bil advertises as a fuel stabiler only , not a additive. There must be a good
reason why they dont want to market their product as a additive.

[AUTOHOLIC]

Originally Posted by roadpilot

Sta Bil advertises as a fuel stabiler only , not a additive. There must be a good
reason why they dont want to market their product as a additive.

EXACTLY! And this is what the intent would be for this scenario, to stabilize the fuel for cars that sit for extended periods with ethanol fuel. Most of us don’t expect our cars to sit for these long periods (except for purpose winter storage etc.) but it happens with no intent often. This is why I am asking if this is a solution? I certainly don’t think it can hurt anything but wonder if it would cure the OPs problem? INQUIRING MIND.

[RatDog]

I’ve used non-ethanol 89 octane gas with Sta-bil in my ‘67 L79 for 10 years. The car starts good when cold and no heat sink restart problems even in hot summer weather.

Yeah, it costs a little more but my car cost a lot, too, and it’s an easy way to solve problems.

Take care,
Steve

[AUTOHOLIC]

Originally Posted by RatDog

I’ve used non-ethanol 89 octane gas with Sta-bil in my ‘67 L79 for 10 years. The car starts good when cold and no heat sink restart problems even in hot summer weather.

Yeah, it costs a little more but my car cost a lot, too, and it’s an easy way to solve problems.

Take care,
Steve

Thanks.

[Yadkin]

I've also gone the EFI route on one of my classics, and not just because of the ethanol issue. Instant starts is a big plus. Whatever you think it costs to convert- double it.

Most areas will have some gas stations with non-ethanol fuel. You just have to find it.

[RatDog]

There’s a free app called Pure Gas that lists stations with non-ethanol gas everywhere.

Take care,
Steve

[roadpilot]

Originally Posted by Yadkin

I've also gone the EFI route on one of my classics, and not just because of the ethanol issue. Instant starts is a big plus. Whatever you think it costs to convert- double it.

Most areas will have some gas stations with non-ethanol fuel. You just have to find it.

I have done the same with the 66. Not quit instant starts I have to let
the electric pump prime.But, it always starts no matter how hot it is.

[Yadkin]

Originally Posted by roadpilot

I have done the same with the 66. Not quit instant starts I have to let
the electric pump prime.But, it always starts no matter how hot it is.

Yeah, that's what I meant. But priming is done without running the starter. With the carb and cam-driven fuel pump, it was always a good half minute of cranking while the fuel bowl slowly fills.

[allthrottleandsomebottle]

I have used Sta-bil blue marine or Amsoil for decades in all my cars, and equipment. EVRYTHING has a fuel shut off valve no matter FI or carb.
I used 10% ethanol gas without issue.
When you are not going to use the vehicle for a while, dump in recommended amounts of stabilizer, let it run or drive it....turn off fuel valve and once it runs out of fuel your good.
I have a small generator that's 22 years old, rocket roto tiller thats over 40 years old and they are pull start. Start after the 2nd pull no matter the temps outside after sitting for a year. Then there's the 68' Camaro that get 300 miles a year on a good year

[Frankie the Fink]

Originally Posted by AUTOHOLIC

My though is that with all the talk about carbs being gummed up with varnished fuel from not being run regularly and some of the rubber in them that is not really compatible with ethanol that it may be a fix. I wish we had more contributors on this site that have carb experience that might chime in.

I've rebuilt a few in my time: That CF poster has a flooding situation that has nothing to do with Sta-Bil (that won't hurt a thing in the tank full time); sounds like a stuck float or crudded up needle valve. But yes, if the car has sat for an extended period - like several months; the internals can certainly gum up.

Sometimes, a sharp rap on the side of the fuel bowl with the plastic handle of a screwdriver will loosen up a stuck float. Its also worth checking the fuel pump pressure, anything over about 5 lbs will force the needle valve off the seat and flood the carb.

[SJW]

This thread is pretty stale now (been a while since I've checked in here), but my experience persuaded me that Stabil didn't solve the problem with Ethanol-laced fuel.

I had a motorcycle that couldn't sit for more than a couple of weeks without the pilot jets in the carburetors clogging up with gelled fuel. I got so tired of having to clean out the carbs before I could ride it that I finally sold the damned thing, and I don't miss it. The blue, marine-grade Stabil did nothing to mitigate this problem. I found the same to be the case with all small engines that have little carburetors with tiny jets in them - mowers, etc. Running them until they're empty of fuel at the end of the season has kept that problem at bay.

Having said the above, I've had no trouble with E10 fuel clogging anything in any of my injected vehicles, or even in my '63 that runs a Carter AFB. Fuel percolation/evaporation after hot shut-down remains an issue, but it's basically just an annoyance, and not what I'd call a problem.

The only sources of Ethanol-free gasoline around here are either marinas, or racing fuel, neither of which are convenient to buy and both of which are expensive - especially the high-octane racing fuel. So, I live with the E10 and get on with life, much as I'd prefer to run pure gasoline.

Live well,

SJW