New F-150 Flex Fuel Engine

I understand that the injectors are larger on the flexfuel.

CJB

The advantage is suppose to be that the flex fuel can adapt to different fuel mixtures easier; if perhaps the station had a higher content of alcohol than the law allowed. Good idea if you live in a state that has a lot of different mixtures of fuel, normally you won't notice a difference though.

It goes beyond that. The flexfuel engine is made to be able to use E-85 ethanol, which is 85% ethanol. You probably won't find that in rural areas, and it's not terribly common in urban areas. However, there is more and more push in the direction of alternative fuels. Ethanol is only affordable right now because of huge government subsities to the producers. If the demand gets larger, and prices get higher, then wider distribution of e-85 is likely.

It is interesting to me to see these new GM commercials touting the fact that they're now producing vehicles that can burn e-85 when Ford's been doing it for years.

CJB

Funny, California Energy Commission states all manufactures started building "flexible fuel" vehicles that could run on ethanol in 1997 Henry Ford sure had the idea of alcohol power back in the teens, and early

20's, Model T carbs were adjustable to run on it but petroleum was abundant and cheaper. An Illinois State page lists the Chevy Lumina as first in 1992 they bought 12 of them, and the ford Taurus was planned for manufacture in 1996. And everything was/is quiet on the dodge front.

all in all it doesn't much matter who was first, or how many, because it like the hybrids, as far as saving money, it is strictly a feel good thing. Because you cant buy the stuff hardly anywhere in the states. And if that hybrid doesn't go at least 10 years with no major repairs, you'll never break even between fuel saved cost wise, and the cost of the vehicle. As a hot rodder, it does sound promising though. stuff is supposed to be high octane, that means higher compression, and more timing advance and that means more go power.

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