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Three 1978 Ford Pinto 2300 cc vehicles were retrofitted to operate on neat methanol and driven for an 18-month period. The modification package included carburetor rejetting, upgraded fuel filtration and electric cold start assistance. Internal engine components (excepting camshafts) and the engine lubrication system were not modified. A conventional motor oil was used in all vehicles. Over 30,000 vehicle miles were accumulated in the test period. Wear metal samples were taken at 1000-mile intervals and analyzed for 16 metallic constituents using Direct Reading Emission Spectroscopy (DRES). Percentage fuel and water dilution were also measured. All oil samples showed abnormally high concentrations of lead and tin. Iron accumulation rates over the entire test were similar to those reported for gasoline engines. Maximum fuel or water dilution in any sample was 0.5%.

Performance of an array of plasma ignition systems has been studied in a CFR engine.This included a standard spark plug, an extended spark plug, a surface discharge plug, and two plasma jet ignitors, one with open cavity and the other with cavity provided with a jet forming orifice.For all the tests the engine was run at a compression ratio of 3:1, a wide open throttle, and minimum for best torque (MBT) ignition timing. In this way specific information was obtained on ignition delay, duration of the exothermic combustion process, engine efficiency, and pollutant emissions.The study demonstrated the effect of various ignition systems on engine performance as the lean operating limit is approached.