[asshanson]

I picked up a Buscher FPR and Walbro 255 hp pump today from Jakey when I was driving through Ames on my way home this evening. However, it's missing the fitting for the fuel return line, hopefully I can get Buscher to sell me just that, or maybe I can rig something up myself.

Also, I had a really great opportunity to learn about ethanol in Iowa. Since Emily's family farms and her brother works for the Iowa Soybean Association, we went to this banquet and there were several speakers, including the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. He said there are 81 (I think) e85 pumps in Iowa right now, and there are going to be at least 50 more put in this year. I found several along I80 and I35 already, so I could switch and be ok for my trips to Iowa. I also found a couple stations on the way to my hometown, so I'm seriously contemplating switching.

Anyway, the most interesting part was talking with Secretary Northey afterwards. I asked him about the new "blender" pumps they are using in Iowa and southern Minnesota, apparently you can choose the level of ethanol in your gas, and the price goes down for more ethanol. However, he was unsure if you could still get the full e85 blend in the winter. Currently Iowa follows the same dates going to the winter blend as Minnesota, he said the lower ethanol content was for cold starting issues in the winter. Hopefully these new blender pumps allow you to get a full 85% in the winter, since apparently they are mixing the gas at the pump.

He also thought it was interesting that people would convert their non flex-fuel vehicles to use e85, he hadn't heard of it before. I guess he is looking for more ways to push ethanol usage in Iowa, and wanted to use more examples when promoting it.