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Friend dropped over with a new (to us, anyhow) threat that methanol is now included in some gasoline mixtures. He claims that methanol makes ethanol look innocent in terms of rubber deterioration. From his perspective, methanol is somethink to be checked before putting gas in the tank. If it has methanol, go elsewhere.

I'd like to hear more about this.......

IMHO, I really doubt that methanol is being added to our fuel. I could be wrong, as our government has a way with screwing around with what goes into cars. First it was MTBE and then they found out it was bad for the environment so they took it out. Now we are dealing with the problems of ethanol.

Methanol is a different story - it is very corrosive to metals.

As editor of our regional publication I received permission to reprint an article from "Turning Wheels" the publication of the Studebaker Drivers Club. Below is what he wrote regarding Methanol.

There are two common types of alcohol: methanol and ethanol. Although methanol is used as a racing fuel because of its high octane, it has a number of characteristics that make it even worse than ethanol as an everyday fuel or fuel supplement. Compared to ethanol, methanol is more corrosive to metals and has a lower energy content. It is poisonous to humans if ingested, while ethanol is a component of widely consumed spirits. Methanol is a major component of commercial fuel additives like Heet and Dri-Gas, used to prevent gas line freeze - water that freezes in the fuel filter or at a low point in the fuel line. In small amounts such additives are useful with straight gasoline in a vented fuel system (most, if not all, Studebakers [or Packards]). The mixture we have seen at the pump for about the past 25 years is 10% ethanol and 90% gasoline, known as E-10. With E-10 an additional water absorbing additive is not needed. Save your money.

The writer is a registered professional engineer, retired from a career in the marine and small engine industry with experience in all types of fuel systems.

And this guy swears by the use of Techron as a fuel additive to keep your carburetor clean.