wonder how we could do that?
urban myth???
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,028
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
urban myth???
need forum members to help settle a dispute. there's an "urban myth" or urban legend about whether a car will run on 80 or 100 proof whiskey. others say no but say they will run on Everclear (190 proof) or 95% alcohol (lab alcohol). this i can believe. funny thing. nobody who says it ever wants to prove it with their own vehicle.
my dad used to tell "stories" about what people used to run their cars on during the depression and during WWII when gas was rationed in this country. paint thinner, various volatile chemicals, etc.
what do the experts out there say about this? i've got a bet riding on it
my dad used to tell "stories" about what people used to run their cars on during the depression and during WWII when gas was rationed in this country. paint thinner, various volatile chemicals, etc.
what do the experts out there say about this? i've got a bet riding on it
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 200
Likes: 0
From: Manahawkin NJ
I'm no expert but I can believe the everclear story due to the fact that it's pure grain alcohol.
Whiskey could probably run the car, but it is processed liquor and I'm not to sure you would want to put it in your tank.
Anything over 90 Proof is Illegal to bring on an aircraft due to it's combustible nature so I'm pretty sure an engine could run on it, at least for a little while.
Whiskey could probably run the car, but it is processed liquor and I'm not to sure you would want to put it in your tank.
Anything over 90 Proof is Illegal to bring on an aircraft due to it's combustible nature so I'm pretty sure an engine could run on it, at least for a little while.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 46,940
Likes: 2
From: Diesel smoke Makes me horny
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08
Originally Posted by OneBrokenSmile07
I'm no expert but I can believe the everclear story due to the fact that it's pure grain alcohol.
Whiskey could probably run the car, but it is processed liquor and I'm not to sure you would want to put it in your tank.
Anything over 90 Proof is Illegal to bring on an aircraft due to it's combustible nature so I'm pretty sure an engine could run on it, at least for a little while.
Whiskey could probably run the car, but it is processed liquor and I'm not to sure you would want to put it in your tank.
Anything over 90 Proof is Illegal to bring on an aircraft due to it's combustible nature so I'm pretty sure an engine could run on it, at least for a little while.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 474
Likes: 64
From: Portage La Prairie Manitoba
Originally Posted by greyghost79
need forum members to help settle a dispute. there's an "urban myth" or urban legend about whether a car will run on 80 or 100 proof whiskey. others say no but say they will run on Everclear (190 proof) or 95% alcohol (lab alcohol). this i can believe. funny thing. nobody who says it ever wants to prove it with their own vehicle.
my dad used to tell "stories" about what people used to run their cars on during the depression and during WWII when gas was rationed in this country. paint thinner, various volatile chemicals, etc.
what do the experts out there say about this? i've got a bet riding on it
my dad used to tell "stories" about what people used to run their cars on during the depression and during WWII when gas was rationed in this country. paint thinner, various volatile chemicals, etc.
what do the experts out there say about this? i've got a bet riding on it
Sounds like anothe one for Myth Busters.
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,929
Likes: 156
From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Funny, I saw one of the myth busters show where they dumped all kinda crap into the gas to see what would "sieze" the engine. Chlorine bleach, I think did it in, but not before they dumped a bunch of other stuff into the tank....including sugar! 
The SB Chevy kept right on running.
The SB Chevy kept right on running.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by joe73vette
It probably would, but I don't think whiskey that costs less than $2 a gallon would be drinkable. LOL Joe
its only the first 8 oz that cause the problem.....
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 46,940
Likes: 2
From: Diesel smoke Makes me horny
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08
Originally Posted by Jughead
Oh, and they used a couple of raw eggs in the radiator to seal a leak.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,361
Likes: 383
From: Plano TX
Guy I worked with managed to run his 70's era Saab on concentrated windshield washer fluid after he ran out of gas. The Saab was carbed. Don't know what EFI would make of alcohol/methanol. He also said the engine ran like crap and used his one gallon jug of washer fluid in just a few miles. It got him home though.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 1
From: "Too Low, Too Fast, Too Loud" TX
Originally Posted by 427V8
Race cars run on Methenal all the time. Ethenal ( the stuff you drink) would work too, but you need to re-ject the carb like twice as big!
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 1
From: Lafayette Louisiana
After tasting I mean testing several different spirits I have determined that 80 proof vanilla rum would barely sustain an internal combustion engine and should give off a pleasing emission. Now if you will excuse me I must go wash the rest of my beard off my face. There must be a trick to that fireball spitting thing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
I would think that 80 proof would not be adequate due to the fact that it's only 40% alcohol. What's the other 60%? Water? This could be just as easily proved or disproved by using a lawnmower engine. Just hook up a second gas tank with a valve. Fire up the engine, turn the valve, and see if it will keep running. Shut it off, let it cool down and see it it can be started on the whiskey. The blend of alcohol content could be adjusted to see at what point it will start and run.
This could be fun weekend experiment. One drink for the lawnmower, one for yourself.
This could be fun weekend experiment. One drink for the lawnmower, one for yourself.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 1
From: Sodertalje/Sweden
Sugar doesnt desolve in gas...All it does is clog up filters etc
Here in Europe theres E85 at the gasstations,85% Ethanol and 15% gasoline. Works on all cars (that what the gasstation says anyway
)
Here in Europe theres E85 at the gasstations,85% Ethanol and 15% gasoline. Works on all cars (that what the gasstation says anyway
)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,103
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
Here's an article that may help support the claim:
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jk/at_010109.htm
There is apparent a local gas station in my next of the woods that sells E85. http://www.kvoa.com/global/story.asp...Type=Printable
Anyone want to pony up if I blow up the vette's engine? I might just have to give it a go. Can you say "Honey, my engine was out partying, got plastered and throw up its guts on the driveway. We're going to need a transplant!!"
http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jk/at_010109.htm
There is apparent a local gas station in my next of the woods that sells E85. http://www.kvoa.com/global/story.asp...Type=Printable
Anyone want to pony up if I blow up the vette's engine? I might just have to give it a go. Can you say "Honey, my engine was out partying, got plastered and throw up its guts on the driveway. We're going to need a transplant!!"