Date:         Sat, 9 Apr 2011 08:29:49 -0500
Reply-To:     mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: Coleman Fuel For You CamperHeads
Comments: To: John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <4D9FEEEF.80603@charter.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

---- John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET> wrote:
>   Isn't Coleman fuel what used to be called "White gas" =ie, no
> additives whatsoever - so that needle valves, small ports, silk mantles
> and the like would not be messed up by the additives? I seem to remember
> that the very old AMOCO stations use to always have one pump dedicated
> to "white gas" which was supposed to burn "Clean".

Coleman started marketing their camp fuel in the sixties, with the promotional claim that it was much cleaner burning than "white gas."  I had a boat motor back then that called for using white gas.  Motor fuel then contained tetraethyl lead, which would leave a lead deposit in the generator and burner of a stove or lantern, and would foul the mantle of a lantern.  Coleman fuel is from the naptha run from the refinery.  That is a little lighter than the fraction that is labeled gasoline.  Though premium gasoline in those days was generally called "ethyl," regular grade also contained the additive, starting I think in after WWII.  Before then, tetraethyl lead was in premium only.  The tetraethyl lead reduces volatility, thereby reducing burn rate, and so inhibiting preignition, same as other additives now.

BTW, does anyone know why lantern mantles contain thorium?  I remember in junior high school a science instructor using a mantle to demonstrate a geiger counter.

mcneely
>
> John
>
> John Rodgers
> Clayartist and Moldmaker
> 88'GL VW Bus Driver
> Chelsea, AL
> Http://www.moldhaus.com
>
>
> On 4/8/2011 6:13 PM, Max Wellhouse wrote:
> > Bought a can of Coleman Lantern Fuel at a yard sale for like 50 cents
> > figuring the metal can was worth that, but it was pretty old.   The
> > price tag on it was like $1.95 and it had no bar code on it.   Since
> > we've determined that regular auto gas degrades with time, how 'bout
> > white gas?  If it won't work for a stove or lantern, am I okay using
> > it for parts cleaner?  Any other creative uses for it?
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > DM&FS
> >
> > the only reason bread was invented was to politely get butter from
> > the plate to your mouth........ peeling back the wrapper and eating
> > it like a banana might not find favor with polite company.....
> >
> >

--
David McNeely