09-28-09

LET'S TALKS ABOUT METHANOL    

Did you know Methanol is also known as METHYL ALCOHOL, WOOD ALCOHOL, WOOD NAPHTHA OR WOOD SPIRITS.  It's very TOXIC:  Drinking 10 ml. will cause permanent blindness, and as little as 100-125 ml. (4fl oz.) in most cases will cause DEATH.  It can enter the body by Ingestion, Inhalation or Absorption through the Skin. So be Careful when handling Methanol.    

Methanol is also biodegradable and is the simplest alcohol.  It is a light, volatile, colorless, flammable liquid that has a distinctive odor that’s similar to ETHANOL (drinking alcohol).  A Methanol flame is almost colorless in sunlight, causing an additional safety hazard.  However a Methanol Fire can be extinguished with water.  Methanol has been around for many Centuries.  Ancient Egyptians used Methanol in their Embalming process, which they obtained from the Pyrolysis of wood.     

A patent was filed Jan. 12, 1926, by two German Chemists Alwin Mittasch and Mathias Pier (reference no. 1,569,775). 

For Many years Racers have mixed Methanol with Gasoline and Nitrous Oxide to produce more power than gasoline and nitrous alone. One drawback of methanol as a fuel is that it is corrosive to some metals, including Aluminum.  Although it is a weak acid, it attacks the Oxide Coating that protects the Aluminum from Corrosion.                                                       

FORMULA #4     

Methanol has a R + M/2 octane rating of approximately 101 in pure form, Ethanol (grain alcohol) and Methanol have great power potential in a 10% mixture (1 gal. to 9 gals.)  Three of Five additives or conditioners on the retail shelves most likely have nothing more than pure methanol and petroleum dye.  Methanol & Ethanol Reduce Exhaust Emissions as well as add good octane boosting properties.      

There are some down sides too, both have the tendency to increase vapor lock, lean a carburetor, along with poor starting characteristics. Methanol also causes water to separate out of gasoline. 

--A 10% mixture of methanol with 93 octane unleaded premium gasoline yields approximately 96.4 octane.

--A 10% mixture of ethanol with 93 octane unleaded premium gasoline yields approximately 96.8 octane.   

NOTE:  You my need to increase jetting on both mixtures also.

NOTE: KJ BROHTERS RACING TAKES NO LIABILITY FOR BLENDING CHEMICAL COMPONENTS.  BLEND AT YOUR OWN RISK!!  THESE EXAMPLES HAVE BEEN TRIED BY PROFESSIONALS AND ARE BEING USED FOR EXPLINATION PURPOSES ONLY!!

PLEASE STAY WITHIN THESE MIXTURES.  DON'T ADD HIGHER PERCENTAGES OF ADDITIVES TO YOUR GASOLINE THAN RECOMMENDED.  NEVER PUT THESE CHEMICALS IN YOUR EMPTY GAS TANK IN PURE FORM.