Methanol

[dfhotlm33c]

Strange question, why is methanol not used in late models? Is it strictly due to its corrosiveness and requirements to run more fuel ini the cell that burns off faster and changes handling more drastically over a shorter race?

I ask because my engine of lower power than many ini my field, but a boost with running methanol could help me be more competitive. Just curious if it's an avenue to really pursue

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

Strange question, why is methanol not used in late models? Is it strictly due to its corrosiveness and requirements to run more fuel ini the cell that burns off faster and changes handling more drastically over a shorter race?

I ask because my engine of lower power than many ini my field, but a boost with running methanol could help me be more competitive. Just curious if it's an avenue to really pursue

I have experience running it as recently as this season. The only downfall is the burnoff, IMO. The burnoff can be a huge deal. The big plus is that you will not overheat. Even if the radiator has some junk in it.

[Jking24]

In my area we run it in steel blocks and most run it vs gas. We have switched from gas to methanol mid season and saw no major change in our setup needs in races under thirty laps. If you have a stock type head rule it can be a real advantage. If you run every week you really don't have to do anything real different with fuel system maintenance but it's not a bad to pull the plugs during the week so the cylinders can dry out. If you switch make sure you change your fuel filter and know that some fuel cell bladders cannot be filled with methanol without damage. One in particular is atl standard bladders

[TheJet-09]

I drove a couple cars for a buddy of mine, 20 years ago and again just this summer, each on Alcohol. I had the same feeling this time around as I did back then, that when the track slicks off they just don't seem very "smooth" at lower RPM off the corner. Obviously things like the cam and engine as a whole would (or should) affect that, but I just summed it up as a difference in the fuel (without knowing any better).

But before 18* stuff came around, many guys ran alcohol...certainly in Modifieds, so I guess it can't be that bad. It was never my thing, though.

[fastford]

you would be amazed at how quick a cylinder will oxidize , i like a quick connect at the carb and run a quart of racing gas through it when im done

[Krooser]

you would be amazed at how quick a cylinder will oxidize , i like a quick connect at the carb and run a quart of racing gas through it when im done

A lot of guys do that... back in the day we just shut off the main line from the cell and ran it dry... then fired it. up with gas dripping in the carb for 30 seconds or so.

I'd determined to get my ride out in 2020... I have an ancient alky BG 750 that I rebuilt but I'm thinking I may need an 830-850 now... and a bit more modern carb.

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

A lot of guys do that... back in the day we just shut off the main line from the cell and ran it dry... then fired it. up with gas dripping in the carb for 30 seconds or so.

I'd determined to get my ride out in 2020... I have an ancient alky BG 750 that I rebuilt but I'm thinking I may need an 830-850 now... and a bit more modern carb.

Krooser, carburetor technology peaked decades ago. I don't care how super their bowls are, the new stuff isn't gonna make a difference. Use what you have.

[fastford]

i 100% agree with masterSbilt , i have run BG carbs for years , ever since he left holley and started his own company , you can call them and talk to there circle track rep and gain a lot , i mean a lot of info . the only other carb i have run in last 20 years was a C&S , which also has very good customer support . also , that 750 is plenty big enough IMO , it will out perform a 850 off the corner.......

[Jim11h]

Setup the #1 reason everyone switched to gas. There's been dyno tests done that show no distinct advantage or disadvantage between the 2. Think alky gave slightest of slight torque increase. I can tell you that on 1/3 mile track I run with 2 barrel on alky I burn about 15 gallons in feature so your talking half tank. Hotlaps, heat race 10 laps, feature 20 laps I figure 20-25 gallons a night. At just over $2/gal. I kill $40-50, but if was gas I'd be looking 7-8 gal roughly for whole night at $7/gal, but I can now place the weight where I want it!

[Jking24]

Setup the #1 reason everyone switched to gas. There's been dyno tests done that show no distinct advantage or disadvantage between the 2. Think alky gave slightest of slight torque increase. I can tell you that on 1/3 mile track I run with 2 barrel on alky I burn about 15 gallons in feature so your talking half tank. Hotlaps, heat race 10 laps, feature 20 laps I figure 20-25 gallons a night. At just over $2/gal. I kill $40-50, but if was gas I'd be looking 7-8 gal roughly for whole night at $7/gal, but I can now place the weight where I want it!

If your burning that much alcohol to gas then you are way too rich. We burn 16-17 gallons in a feature on a half mile track running 25 laps. But on the same track we 10-12 gallons of gas

[Jking24]

Also the worse the head is that you have to run the bigger the advantage is on alcohol. For example if you have to run a world products sportsman 2 head sometimes called the io37 head and 60cc chambers with flat tops. Methanol is almost a must if allowed their is a distinct advantage to running it. Maybe not peak hp but under the curve it makes alot of low end.

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

My experience is you burn about 1.8x as much by volume. That comes out to nearly double the weight burned off. In short races, not a big deal. But at some point, it starts being a big deal.

[dfhotlm33c]

I rarely run a race longer than 25 laps at Eriez Speedway, which is basically 1/3 mile. I run with the back of the pack and have been doing well staying with those guys, especially since I'm a steel block 23 degree guy with a very old chassis that is down about 100hp from most of these guys. Looking to see if I can move up a bit with a bump in power. I'm running a mechanical fuel pump. (I know I should run a belt driven so I can have variable fuel pressure, but there is only so much money) I know I need a different one that is compatible with methanol. Is it true I want about 8.5 psi? I plan to get a Quick Fuel methanol carb. Anything else I need to know? Best top lube?
Thanks!

[fastford]

i really dont understand why any one would use methanol any more , to me , E85 is the way to go , its cheaper and less burn off , i do not know the exact ratio , all i know is what i put in the tank and it falls some where in between gas and methanol.....

[MasterSbilt_Racer]

i really dont understand why any one would use methanol any more , to me , E85 is the way to go , its cheaper and less burn off , i do not know the exact ratio , all i know is what i put in the tank and it falls some where in between gas and methanol.....

It should be about 1.3x gas burn rate by volume. If I had to buy a carb, that's the route I would go to.

OP, I'm not sure you are going to get a noticeable power gain. I think you'd pick up more speed getting your nose down on the track by raising your crossmember if you have an old, unupdated car.