Ethanol

About 12 yers go I sold my classic car, a Dino 246, for two reasons. The insurance companies wanted to restrict the milage to under 3000 miles/year and place strict restrictions on where I could use it and where it could be parked. Also the servicing agents told me that in the next few years I would need some expensive modifications to keep it running, which at that time would not increase the value.

I now see in an article in the Telegraph, The ethanol threat to classic cars and bikes that situation is probably worse than was first explained to me, in that it destroys seals etc.

Yet ethanol is also a powerful solvent that, without a suitable additive, attacks many fuel system components including zinc and galvanised materials, brass, copper, aluminium, seals and hoses, cork, polyurethane and epoxy resins. In other words, almost everything used in a vehicle made more than about 20 years ago. It’s also hydrophilic, and water causes all sorts of additional problems.

Ethanol is brilliant, because -

It can run in petrol engines (sometimes even without trouble);
It can be used as antifreeze in engines;
It will clean oil and dirt from clagged up parts; it can be drunk;
it can cause fights;
it can ......
____________
It's good to be back amongst friends and colleagues

....And as of to date, has the world benefited from having lead removed
from fuel....has anyone seen any reports on this?

Yes, The main reason that they supposedly added Lead to gas was to reduce pinging IIRC back in the 1930's or 40's. The problem is that the was also being breathed in. this is very hazardous for children and a complete topic on its own. Lead levels in food and children has dramatically decreased since 1974 and even more when leaded gas was taken off the market. Unleaded gas it appears has no real affect on pinging at all

Yes, The main reason that they supposedly added Lead to gas was to reduce pinging IIRC back in the 1930's or 40's. The problem is that the was also being breathed in. this is very hazardous for children and a complete topic on its own. Lead levels in food and children has dramatically decreased since 1974 and even more when leaded gas was taken off the market. Unleaded gas it appears has no real affect on pinging at all

What made unleaded petrol usable in performance engines was the invention of computer engine management systems that retard the the spark when the engine starts to ping.

There has been no real development of the internal combustion engine since the 1930's. Most of the "current" performance enhancing developments such as tuned exhaust systems, cross flow heads, fuel injection etc. were all invented in the early 20th century.

Utilising existing engine technologies, the ‘Scuderi Cycle’ engine requires no significant re-packaging and could be on the road within 3-5 years from the first carmaker agreement. Scuderi is in advanced discussion with the world’s top carmakers, to licence its technology.

The ‘Scuderi Cycle’ includes a new firing cycle, which is expected to be the most significant advancement in internal combustion engine design since traditional, ‘Otto Cycle’ over 130 years ago. Current test results have shown it to offer greater BHP per litre, reduced fuel consumption and reduced emissions, versus a traditional engine, while delivering a consistent combustion.

The result would be smaller, lighter and cleaner engines, without the need for expensive hybrid or alternative fuel technology.

Utilising existing engine technologies, the ‘Scuderi Cycle’ engine requires no significant re-packaging and could be on the road within 3-5 years from the first carmaker agreement. Scuderi is in advanced discussion with the world’s top carmakers, to licence its technology.

The ‘Scuderi Cycle’ includes a new firing cycle, which is expected to be the most significant advancement in internal combustion engine design since traditional, ‘Otto Cycle’ over 130 years ago. Current test results have shown it to offer greater BHP per litre, reduced fuel consumption and reduced emissions, versus a traditional engine, while delivering a consistent combustion.

The result would be smaller, lighter and cleaner engines, without the need for expensive hybrid or alternative fuel technology.

I estimate Ethanol is raising the cost of food by at least 30%. The reduction of oil usage may be a quite low percentage after subtracting the fuel used to grow, harvest, distill and transport it.