The Alcohol-Gasohol Fuel Solution

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Boiled down to basics, what Bill did was fairly simple: He increased the compression ratio to 8.5:1 (the current "standard," thus avoiding altogether the inherent problems of ultrahigh compression) with the addition of a wedge-shaped "cap" fitted to the top of the pistons. He also redesigned the combustion chamber in the cylinder head, and this modification — along with the piston "cap" — allows the fuel to combust much more readily, thus "making up" for the lack of high compression. Some recalibration of the air/fuel ratio was also necessary to admit enough air into the combustion area to allow the engine to run at its thrifty best.

Now all of this might seem like an expensive proposition, but Blaser's research bears out the fact that the engine conversion can be accomplished at a fairly low cost, and the benefits gained should be more than worth the effort: Fuel economy is increased from 5 to 25% (depending on carburetor settings), for instance, and noxious emissions are reduced drastically (95% less carbon monoxide, 90% fewer hydrocarbons, 90% reduction in nitrogen oxides). Also, the engine runs at lower temperatures under less stress, and it can be used as a "multifuel" powerplant, burning either low octane gasoline, methyl (wood) or ethyl (grain) alcohol, or even fuel oil if necessary.

On the outside, the NAHBE engine looks as "normal" as any other gasoline engine, except for the "fuel mode" switch on the fuel line (because of the characteristics of alcohol, the engine must be started on gasoline when cold, then, when it reaches operating temperature, it's "switched over" to alcohol via a "T" fitting in the fuel line that shuts off the gasoline feed and opens up the alcohol feed).

For demonstration purposes, Bill used a clear plastic jug as his alcohol fuel container. We penned a line to mark the original level of the fuel, then Bill turned the NAHBE over and ran it on gasoline for a few minutes, during which time it got hot enough to be darned uncomfortable to stand near (especially anywhere in the vicinity of the exhaust pipe). He then turned the lever on the "T" fitting to shut off the gas and introduce the alcohol, and that's when we sat up and took notice. Although there was no appreciable difference in the sound of the engine, it slowly began cooling down, eventually to the point where we could even put our hands near that formerly sizzlin' exhaust pipe. But, even better than that, the exhaust fumes actually smelled clean, and there was hardly any residue in the pipe after the engine had been running for 15 minutes or so.

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