I once met a very old guy who had played in a big time band way back in the late 20's. His first big check and he bought a model "T" Ford. He was down in Florida and had to drive it to the next Gig. Well the car had about 300 miles on it, if I remember correctly and it blew a piston. Back then there weren't many corner garages, and there weren't any where he was. He pulled over... took it apart, took the rod off the crank and found a tin can that fit the cylinder exactly. Shoved it in, put the motor back together made it to the nearest Ford dealer (he did say it vibrated a bit 8-). He had to catch a bus to his destination, but Ford did fix it immediately. Said he never had any trouble with it again. I've heard these old motors would run on nearly anything in a "pinch" from Bourbon (a little expensive) to wood alcohol. I don't know how accurate that all is...but I heard it.