Problems ethanol causes in vintage cars?

Interesting post by jos51700.

As I said earlier, I don't see where E10 has caused me any problems with my '67 Barracuda. I have seen fuel problems with small engines, like mowers, trimmers, etc. Whenever I'd take these to a service shop, I'd hear about how "the bad gas we have these days" was causing problems. I've been hearing about "the bad gas we have these days" for more than 40 years, starting long before there was any E10. I am convinced that, at least sometimes, it is a convenient excuse by a mechanic who has no clue what really caused the problem.

I will say that when I rebuild carburetors on my small engines today, I don't see varnish or other deposits inside them- ever. 20+ years ago, it was common to find varnish deposits in carbs. It's said the ethanol in E10 cleans out fuel system deposits and I can't deny that based on what I see.

I recall one episode with a Stihl leaf blower. Ran great when I was using Stihl 2-stroke oil. Then, the Stihl dealer convinced me to switch to Stihl "synthetic" 2-stroke oil. Blower stopped running after less than a gallon of fuel mixed with that great "synthetic" oil, carb filter screen was totally plugged with some kind of junk. I went back to conventional Stihl oil, no more problems. Maybe the "synthetic" oil didn't like the Stabil I always use in small engine fuel, who knows- or cares? Stihl dealer said it was caused by "the bad gas we have these days". I doubt the gasoline had anything to do with it.

This week, I met a fellow-A-body owner at our local Advance Auto. He had the misfortune to install a fuel filter on his '69 Barracuda and used the fuel hose stubs provided with the filter. Those no-name hose stubs disintegrated within days, pumping rubber crumbs into his carb. I doubt it was an E10 issue- rather, lousy materials in the no-name made-in-china hose stubs. Frankly, selling ANY fuel system component today that cannot tolerate ethanol-blend fuels borders on criminal negligence. Yet, it happens.