Re: TrevorK's 1955 Packard Patrician

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2017/6/10 9:03:42

Hi Jack:

Everyone's experiences are different and mine are at the complete opposite end of the spectrum from you. The only fuel available in my part of New Jersey is 10% ethanol gasoline and it's the only fuel my lawn mower, chain saw, log splitter and snow blower have ever seen and none have ever (15 years with the lawn mower) had a problem with the carburetors or anything else for that matter. Likewise never had a fuel problem with either of my Packards with this 10% stuff. My gas tank was lined before the introduction of ethanol in gas (back in the days of MBTE oxygenate) with the Bill Hirsch product and likewise has never had any problems. My '34 carburetor was rebuilt back in the late 60s, has a leather accelerator pump, has never been serviced since and continues to function today as well as it did when installed. Yes, when E10 came out I did rebuild the fuel pumps and replace rubber flex lines on the Packards.

Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly abhor the E10 on economic and political grounds but never had a performance issue with it. Plenty of hot weather touring miles, parade crawls on July 4th etc.