 Because ethanol burns more...  Because ethanol burns more quickly, yielding less heat energy, carburetor jetting may have to change depending on where you live. Because we have to throw more ethanol at the engine to get the same amount of heat energy, jetting may have to be richer. |  Pony Carburetors builds ethanol-ready...  Pony Carburetors builds ethanol-ready carburetors (meaning E10, not E85) fitted with components designed to endure today's ethanol fuels. This is an Autolite 1100 professionally remanufactured by Pony Carburetors. The authenticity is unequalled. |  Because ethanol is a good...  Because ethanol is a good octane enhancer, you can run a pinch more timing. However, due to the unknowns of the open road, don't go crazy. Run no more than 36-38 degrees BTDC total timing at 3,000-3,500 rpm. |
 Sta-Bil Fuel Stabilizer now...  Sta-Bil Fuel Stabilizer now comes in a new and improved formula for those with weekend cruisers that collect a lot of garage dust. It reduces gum and varnish deposits. It also controls water retention caused by ethanol. Sta-Bil is available at AutoZone. | | |
One known ethanol issue is water retention. Like brake fluid, ethanol likes to retain more water then gasoline. Because ethanol tends to be hard on rubber and cork components, you can wind up with leaks and bits of rubber in the fuel system, which can cause a sticking float and plugged passages. This is why visually inspection of fuel bowls is important from time to time.
Available heat energy from ethanol is what makes it a good octane enhancer. We can bump compression a little higher and achieve more power without detonating an engine to death when we run ethanol. That's the good news. The bad news is the detrimental side effects of ethanol in gasoline when used in older cars.
Regular Preventative Maintenance for Vintage Carburetors
Because there isn't a carburetor kit designed for today's harsher fuels, you must inspect and service your fuel system more often than you used to. Here's what you need to do every six months.
- Inspect the carburetor externally for fuel leaks around the accelerator pump and power valve.
- Look for leakage around the throttle shaft.
- Remove the air horn and inspect both float and needle valve.
- Examine carburetor internals for evidence of leakage from a sticking float.
- Inspect throttle plates for evidence of fuel dribbling.
- Work the throttle and check accelerator pump shot quality.
 Don't be surprised if you...  Don't be surprised if you need to replace the float needle valve every six to 12 months. Frequency depends on kit quality and material used. |  The Autolite 4100 (as well...  The Autolite 4100 (as well as the two-barrel 2100) is easy to inspect and service. If you're not comfortable with your own abilities, send your Mustang carburetor to Pony Carburetors for inspection and rebuilding. |  Removing an Autolite 1100's...  Removing an Autolite 1100's air horn reveals traces of contamination always present in fuel. This happens when Mustangs sit for extended periods of time and fuel evaporates out of the bowl. This is why a good fuel preservative like Sta-Bil should be used when your Mustang sits for extended periods. A good practice is to drive your Mustang weekly and keep a full tank. |