If you've been walking the planet for any time at all, you're familiar with the energy challenges we've been facing since the mid-'70s. Prior to 1974, gasoline was plentiful and cheap as we pumped it into our Mustangs at 23 cents per gallon. Some of you remember gas wars. Service stations priced gasoline so low that they nearly paid us to pump it. When I came of age, you could cruise all night on a $3 fill-up.
All that cheap and plentiful gasoline went away in the winter of 1973-'74, when the Arab Oil Embargo doubled fuel prices overnight. Many gas stations ran out. We faced long lines and some states initiated odd/even license plate days where you were only permitted to buy gas on your day. We didn't see the energy crisis coming, but when it arrived, it was sobering.
For 35 years, we've had it drummed into our heads to be less dependent on foreign oil, yet we're still in denial as we continue to pump petroleum into our automobiles. To reduce consumption of crude and improve exhaust emissions, oil companies have whipped up all kinds of different gasoline cocktails through the years. One such additive is ethanol; you've no doubt seen the signs on the pumps advising that the fuel contains 10 percent ethanol.
So aside from obviously using less petroleum, why mix ethanol with gasoline? Ethanol, also called ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol, adds oxygen to reduce air pollution. Before ethanol, the oil companies oxygenated fuel with MTBE (methyl tertiary-butyl ether), a chemical compound that comes from a reaction between methanol and isobutylene. It is quite volatile with a high evaporation rate. When it was learned MTBE was hazardous to ground water supplies, the EPA mandated alternatives such as ethanol.
Gasoline isn't as user friendly as it once was because it now has additives designed to clean up emissions and help sagging octane. These additives, including ethanol, are especially hard on vintage Mustangs with their rubber fuel hoses, carburetor float needle valves, die-cast carburetor bodies, galvanized fuel tanks and lines, and related components. Some owners have reported problems with phenolic carburetor floats.
Because ethanol accelerates the deterioration of vintage fuel system components, you must take care of regular preventative maintenance more often. All fuel system rubber parts should be replaced annually and inspected frequently. Because ethanol tends to be hard on die-cast carburetor bodies, this also calls for close inspection because ethanol and zinc don't get along well. Although ethanol probably won't harm your carburetor's metal parts, there's always some element of risk (depending on your carburetor's metallurgy).
In the good old days of high-octane leaded fuel, it was easy to overlook fuel hoses, float needle valves, carburetor rubber parts, fuel pump diaphragms, and carburetor gaskets. These items deteriorated slowly, requiring only periodic maintenance. Neglect them today and it can bite you with fuel leakage and the potential for a fire. Fuel-related fires have become a problem with older fuel systems because owners are not staying on top of important maintenance issues.
The jury remains out on the adverse effects of pumping E10 into our Mustangs. E10 is 90-percent gasoline and 10-percent ethanol. And that's what you can expect at most gas pumps today. E85, which is 85-percent ethanol and 15-percent gasoline, should never be used in a classic Mustang.
 Vintage Ford engines were...  Vintage Ford engines were never designed to run on alcohol. This means you must properly maintain your classic Mustang's fuel system and tune the engine for the use of today's fuels, including those with ethanol and other additives. |  Fuel filler hoses seem to...  Fuel filler hoses seem to be more resistant to ethanol fuel and today's fuel additives because we haven't seen them break down nor heard any complaints from our readers about them. However, we suggest regular inspection and replacement. |  When authenticity is important,...  When authenticity is important, you want original equipment fuel hoses. However, you must change fuel system hoses as inspection warrants. If authenticity isn't important, opt for high-pressure fuel injection hose instead, which will fit your 5/16- or 3/8-inch fuel lines and will stand up to today's fuels. Although conventional worm-gear clamps are shown here, we suggest heavy-duty industrial clamps in the interest of safety. |
 If your Mustang has its original...  If your Mustang has its original fuel tank, we suggest replacement with a galvanized tank designed to stand up to ethanol fuels. Scott Drake Enterprises has introduced a line of stainless steel fuel tanks for classic Mustangs. They are impervious to all kinds of fuels and additives. |  Stainless steel fuel line...  Stainless steel fuel line is resistant to all kinds of fuels and additives, making your fuel system exceptionally safe against ethanol fuels. Where possible, run 100-percent stainless fuel line from tank to carburetor. Use stainless steel braided fuel hose and industrial grade clamps where you can't. |  Although late-model Mustang...  Although late-model Mustang fuel systems are designed more for today's harsher fuel additives, they still mandate close attention. If your late-model Mustang has gradually become a classic, it's time to inspect all fuel system components, meaning fuel lines, sending unit, in-tank or in-line electric fuel pump, fuel pressure regulator, and any seals. If replacement is needed, we suggest genuine Ford replacement parts. |
 If your late-model Mustang...  If your late-model Mustang has over 10 0,000 miles, replace the in-tank electric fuel pump and related hoses and seals. Replacement parts should all be ethanol (E10, not E85) resistant. |  Late-model Mustangs with electronic...  Late-model Mustangs with electronic fuel injection have in-line fuel filters like this located underneath the car. Inexpensive line disconnection tools are available at any discount auto parts store. |  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. |