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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%.

Alcohols (both ethanol and methanol) have been recognized as alternative fuels to replace dwindling gasoline supplies. In previous studies, the alcohols have shown a potential for lowering the emissions of regulated species (hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, oxides of nitrogen.) In order to assess three-way catalyst performance on alcohol fuels, three 1978 Ford Pintos have been retrofitted to run on neat methanol, fuel. Over 30,000 vehicle miles have been assumulated during an 18-month period. Driveability, fuel economy and emission histories (CVS-78) have been obtained. Regulated emissions levels of all vehicles were below 1983 United States Federal standards throughout 10,000 miles of operation on each vehicle. Aldehyde emissions were a factor of three higher for methanol operation than gasoline. The energy economies for highway and urban driving cycles on the two fuels were comparable. Catalytic system efficiency for both fuels were evaluated.

Methanol and ethanol are being considered as alternative fuels for diesel engines. One of the key concerns with using alcohol fuels in diesel engines is their poor ignition quality. This work presents the ignition characteristics of methanol and ethanol examined under simulated diesel engine conditions in a constant-volume combustion vessel. The ignition characteristics of isooctane and normal hexadecane (cetane) measured under the same conditions are also included for reference. Results show that to obtain ignition delays and rates-of-pressure-rise suitable for current diesel engine designs, methanol and ethanol require in-cylinder temperatures of about 1100 K at the time of injection. The results also show that the ignition delays of the alcohol fuels are independent of the chamber pressure and are unaffected by the presence of 10% by volume of water in the fuel.