98cc Haad Gaskets

[twalsh341]

98cc Head Gaskets

I'm converting my flathead Doodlebug engine to run on ethanol, and aside from decking the cylinder head I made some replacement gaskets. I've got a few extra and wondered if there is any interest in them?

Stock gasket is .045" thick, mine are .015" compressed laser cut non-asbestos gasket material.

 

[twalsh341]

After some quick math, replacing that head gasket would result in a compression ratio of 6.97 : 1.

 

[bigbutterbean]

Converting it to run on ethanol? I just built a bike with a doodlebug engine, running it stock on ethanol. Runs like a top. Just saying.

 

[twalsh341]

I'll get more HP and a better running engine with a higher compression ratio for the ethanol with these mods I think. Did you open up the jet on your carb?

 

[bigbutterbean]

Wait, you mean running on pure ethanol, don't you? Sorry, thought you meant gas with ethanol. I was confused.

 

[twalsh341]

Correct, E85 at the least, homegrown pure once I get a permit. Do you have a lower blend going through yours at the moment?

 

[bigbutterbean]

Regular pump gas, E10 or whatever. Anyway, runs like a top.

 

[twalsh341]

I'm reading this fascinating book "Alcohol Can be a Gas" about fuel alcohol history, production, and engine modification/optimization for alcohol. It poses a lot of interesting technologies and debunks many of the alcohol fuel myths.

Waiting on the funding for more parts and working on the redesign of my cylinder head to get the compression ratio I need. Increasingly it's looking like I'll have to weld up or re machine a new head for what I want to do.