Will Your Classic Survive Another 50 Years?

By Joe Whitaker

Not a lot of research and development has been done on how the modern world, specifically new fuels and lubricants, will impact our classic Chevy’s. Don’t expect the automakers to spend a dime figuring this out, since they have their hands full making new cars work with this new technology so you’ll buy them!

We receive a large number of calls from classic owners who have carburetor problems and fuel tank leak problems. Like theirs, there is no doubt that the fuel system on your classic is the one system most affected by alcohol and the other additives in today’s fuels.

The following is an excerpt from a new book just written by Josh Malks and published by Motorbooks titled “How To Keep Your Collector Car Alive” P/N 17-203. I normally don’t use my editorial page to promote a product, but this book is not a series of past reprint articles like so many other similar books. This 160 page book is full of valuable, current and very useful information to help you maintain your classic and is well worth it to add to your library. Here are two excerpts:
What effect will these new fuels have on our older cars?
Anecdotal evidence seems to indicate that rubber components such as fuel hoses, carburetor seals and gaskets and fuel pump diaphragms and seals may be hardened, dissolved or distorted by contact with ethanol. This may lead to fuel leaks.

General aviation (non-commercial) propeller-driven airplanes use automotive gasolines. A 2006 FAA Airworthiness Information Bulletin stated: “The addition of alcohol (ethanol) to automobile gasoline adversely affects the volatility of the fuel, which could cause vapor lock. Alcohol present in automobile gasoline is corrosive and not compatible with the rubber seals and other materials used in aircraft, which could lead to fuel system deterioration and malfunction.” Galvanic corrosion of components of the fuel system where dissimilar materials are in contact may also increase. Metal parts, such as in-tank fuel pumps and carburetor floats, may be subject to pitting, rust or corrosion. Ethanol also corrodes cork, used as floats on the sender unit in the gas tanks of some older cars.

And since ethanol holds water, it can expose fuel system components and steel gas tanks to rust.
What can you do to prevent such harm?
Very little can be done if you drive your car regularly. Some states require that gasoline containing ethanol be so labeled at the pump so you can avoid them. Others don’t. You will no doubt eventually wind up replacing some elastomers with new materials resistant to ethanol. A small bright spot—with E10 in the tank you will never need a winter-time gas line antifreeze again.

We plan to stay on top of this and develop new products, if necessary, to help make your classic survive modern times. We will do what we can to help you preserve your classic for your kids, grandkids and beyond to enjoy it!