Edelbrock carbs. &, or Ethanol?

The plunger type accel. pump carbs seem to be more susceptible to ethanol issues.   The Edelbrock/Carter carbs are also more susceptible to heat causing the fuel to boil in the bowls with the high ethanol content.   When the engine is shut off, the ethanol boils off, and the action of the percolating causes the float to sink lower while it's happening, which lets residual fuel pressure push more fuel into the bowls.   That uncontrolled fuel raises the fuel level above normal and lets fuel overflow into the intake through the mains.   There's always enough fuel between the mechanical pump and the carb to flood the carb if the float drops.  It's not as much of an issue with electric pumps as long as the residual pressure bleeds down.

That's true, but they don't even like E10 which is mandated by the feds to be available.   I've seen a couple places here that all advertise E10, actually have closer to 15% ethanol.   One customer we had tested his mid-grade at a station he frequents, and it was 18%.  Anything over 5% or so seems to make problems for the carbs with small, internal float bowls like the Edelbrocks, quadrajets and such.   The Holley style carbs don't seem to suffer the heat issues as bad, but I think it's because of the fact that the float bowls are hung out in open space off the ends of the carbs, which makes them less susceptible to heat soak issues.   In hot weather it doesn't matter what kind of carb you have, it needs to run an insulator base gasket. 

Just built a pair of edelcraps that were on a dual carb setup. Had to use CLR then acid to get all thecrap out of the bowls and passages so no they dont do any better.

I posted about this this past summer when my OE carter...same as an edelbrock...had a lot of E10 residue in the bowls, on the floats and caused the accelerator pump check valve passage to stick shut, preventing fuel from going up the accelerator pump passage from the bowl to the shooter.

I used to really like the carter/edelbrock until about 7 years ago when E10 replaced straight gas around here.
These carbs don't work with prolonged use of ethanol fuels, especially if stored for 4 months or more.

The other problem is the old school needle and seat design and the floats are antiquated, and they all get a film of evaporated ethanol build up on the brass that causes the needles to stick as well as the float hinges and pins.

Until edelbrock makes a new design float and needle and seat that is immune to this ethanol film build, up I wont use my OE carter again. They are great carbs but what good are the ease of tuning, the light weight, and the original looks if they wont work with todays gas without tearing them down and cleaning them out 2 times a year?!!

Stabil has just come out with a new additive called stabil 360 wich is supposed to have a "fogging" like capability that coats the inside of the gas tank fuel lines and carb and blocks ethanol deposits and moisture.

I've pretty much resigned myself to anything that I drive on a regular basis is going to get aftermarket EFI.  Anything that is a casual driver is either premium fuel or loaded up with enough magic sauce that the ethanol wouldn't be a problem.