18RG methanol conversion

[dale30]

Hi Guys
Anyone on here know how to convert my Solex's to methanol with a base jetting setup.
Or if not any carby shops that will do it.
Every i speak to look at me like i got 2 heads when i mention solex.

Someone out there must run methanol.

[Rodger]

Hi Dale.

I did some googling after email exchanges the other evening. Appears from my reading and from what I thought i had recalled without commiting, the jetting needs to be a whole lot richer. By how much I can only suggest if you have a pilot of #62.5 then go to #70. Main fuel from #130 to #170 air goes up by the same amount. The Fuel needle/seat needs to by bigger than stock (1.5) and I suggest a 2.0. Fuel volume and hence flow needs to go up a lot so as to maintain 3-4psi at the needle and seat -6 hoses with stainless fittings not alloy as a minimum. There is writing about mechanical belt driven pumps, the drag boys all mention it.

Venturi size remains. Writing also about that it can be finiky and may not be worth the hasstle that meth brings about with tuning.

Also the two things I mentioned, pump diaphragm and float material are the least of the concern as it is the reaction of the meth with alloy that is the biggest thing. According to the writings, to help with this there is suggestion of running a few litres of petrol through to dry out the meth at the end of each meeting and starting off the meeting with some petrol before filling with meth. Keep the meth in the carbs for as little time as possible and deffinately not between meetings.

Also reading that meth gets consumed a whole lot fatster than petrol so fuel use is more than doubled which means could need a bigger fuel tank. Seems from reading this, the gain in performance verses cost of effort may not be worth it.

Bloody smells nice though.

Regards
Rodger

[Silly Rabbit]

Luv ya work Rodger. You always come up with the goods on this stuff. Top work.

[Jordain]

The other fantastic thing about meth is it ignites cooler than petrol so everythings cool. I run methanol in my dune buggys!! fantastic stuff.. I just drilled the jets out with drill bits until it ran right and adjusted the idle up abit haha!

[dale30]

Thanks for your effort Rodger.
I understand methanol and its corrosive effects i have run it on and of for years.
Is it worth the effort..YEP.!!!!!!
My problem is i have never run these side draft things before and i know that there fussy about air bleed, jet, venturi size etcilots ?In normal carbys its double the main jet size gets you very close.

[Shifty]

Methanol is the cheapest power/reliability you can get... but yes knowledge is limited when you are talking about carburetted setups.

That said, someone who has experience with EFI conversions from unleaded to methanhol will probably be able to give you a guide on percentages to allow etc. Perhaps speak to Dale at CHE Performance.

[briney]

another problem with methanol is due to the much larger quantities involved, you may run out of needle and seat, float bowl or even carburettor passage capacity. and don't sweat the tuning too much. it still makes a heap of power when it's really rich.

[thechuckster]

probably way too expensive, but could you get an old-school mechanical (low pressure, high-flow) injection setup? Or snaffle the intake side off one of those largish speedway 4cyl jobs? (speedway tends to be meth/alco powered engine up at the sharp-point end of the classes?) ... or are does your class force you to use the factory induction setup?

[Rodger]

Dale.

You can drill the Pilot air passage out to 100 (1mm) then if it is double the petrol jetting I can make #100 Pilots and supply new up to #250 Main Fuel and #300 air. Biggest Fuel needle/seat is 2mm and I can supply these as well.

Regards

[dale30]

Dale.

You can drill the Pilot air passage out to 100 (1mm) then if it is double the petrol jetting I can make #100 Pilots and supply new up to #250 Main Fuel and #300 air. Biggest Fuel needle/seat is 2mm and I can supply these as well.

Regards

that sounds great Roger...what sort of money are we talking

[Rodger]

A couple of tens of dollars. Needle seat is $26.

Regards

Rodger