california gasoline

[bbbbuick]

Not sure if any of you are residents of the golden state, but if not you may still be aware of the rather dismal state of available fuel here. The highest octane at the pump is 91, most airports have stopped selling avgas and that wasn't that convenient to get anyway, and the fuel has a high ethanol content. What do you guys do to combat the detrimental effects of the modern mix? I ask because I'm getting some overflow from my Carter when the car sits after driving so I started investigating. Experienced mechanics I've asked say it's from the ethanol boiling in the lines and float bowls from the hot motor. A carb specialist I talked to recommended testing my tank output for debris the ethanol can bring out from an old tank, which can cause fouling of jets/needles. He also said I should disconnect the heat line to the choke and plug somehow, but that had more to do with deterioration of the carb/manifold gasket. Any input, suggestions, SOP's would be greatly appreciated.

Elvin

[Weldar]

Elvin - Not sure it is much better anywhere else. Check out this site for stations that sell "pure" gas. I see some listed in CA and maybe one is in your area. No choice where I live and I use an ethanol treatment by Mercury Marine. Have not had any issues yet.........

http://pure-gas.org/index.jsp

Dwaine

[elagache]

Dear Elvin, Dwaine, and mid-60s Buick fans,

Not sure if any of you are residents of the golden state, but if not you may still be aware of the rather dismal state of available fuel here.

Alas, I know your story only too well.  I remember filling up my trusty wagon on her last tank of leaded regular around 1990 or so.  She is a California girl, assembled in Fremont, and spent almost her entire life in the San Francisco Bay area, but times are tough for 1965 Buicks.

I took the opposite strategy on her last drivetrain upgrade.  I tried to modernize all parts as much as possible to cope with ethanol.  However, the fickle winds of California politics means that what is acceptable today might disappear tomorrow.

If you want to keep to as stock a drivetrain as possible, you definitely need the advice of the gurus on this board.  However, I think we are all in a losing battle.  We can only cope as best we can.

Cheers, Edouard

[WkillGS]

At the least, upgrade the carb's accelerator pump to one that is alcohol-resistant.
I'd recommend Greg Gessler at http://quadrajetparts.com/
He's the guy that is well known for his Buick head and manifold porting work. Now he's concentrating on the carb business.

If you have cold weather, leave the choke connected. It only pulls a wee bit of warm air through the choke.
The intake manifold is heated by exhaust gas rather than coolant. I believe it was Doc that said the manifold runs at much less than coolant temp. So the exhaust heating isn't a big deal.
The carb base gasket and heat shield needs to be in good condition to avoid vacuum leaks that'll cause all kinds of problems.
Some of us like to plug that heat passage under the carb base. That will keep the carb a bit cooler. A thick insulating gasket may help too.

I have no idea how our old fuel pumps hold up with the newer gasoline blends.
Old rubber fuel lines should be replaced.