Propane

[Cecil14]

Ok, since I don't have the motor or fuel system actually in and working yet I was thinking about going to propane before I even get started. Couple questions though

What do I have to do to convert over? I believe I've heard that a regular carb will work just need to be adjusted for the different fuel.

Can I use a stock fuel tank? I was going to go with a 33gal bronco tank but maybe I won't if there's something different with propane.

What about a fuel pump, I was planning on using an electric pump down near the tank but isn't propane under pressure by itself? Will I even need a pump or just a pressure regulator?

Lastly, what kind of fuel economy does propane get vs. gasoline? IE: milage? I know a 20lb. tank of propane full is 5 gallons. Question is how many miles will that go?

Anything I'm missing guys?

Thanks,
Anthony

[AJ Johnson]

Quote from ProEnergy Propane eqpt. co. that I got about a month ago...

AJ,

Dedicated LPG kit ...(for off road use only) ... $750.00 net your cost.

Dual Fuel Kit .... (for off road use only) ...$800.00 net your cost.

Prices include all items to convert the engine to LP, including all hoses (including LP hose), LP converter, LP lock off, mixer and necessary adapters and small parts.

The price doesn't include the shipping or a LP tank, a separate item. LP tanks run approximately $400.00, depending on size and configurations.

Expect to lose approximately 10-15% of horsepower and Miles per gallon. For dedicated LP system the timing can be adjusted to minimize horsepower loss. With Dual fuel systems you would have to use an electronic box which changes the timing for the each fuel. The "Dual Curve" box is a separate item $150.00 net your cost.

[tomd]

Doesn't it help greatly to boost compression? But thats not exactly simple or cheap to do.

[AMX factor]

My father has run propane on his trucks for years. Best thing to do is decide if you really want it or not. There is a fair amount of stuff required to run propane correctly. Don't do it half a**ed either. Go straight propane or straight gas. Stay away from the duel fuel setups as switching back and forth will take a motor out quickly. You need a propane tank of course, buy used it's cheaper, Impco 425 propane carb, those are not cheap, Quadrajet throttle body(Impco bolts to this), heat exchanger, again not real cheap and the misc hoses and things you need to install it all. To do it right you really need to have the cylinder heads redone(actually valve job) the valves need to have a larger contact area where they seat in the head to help transfer heat, propane burns much much hotter than gasoline. Not doing the heads correctly results in burned out heads. When we did our first propane Chevy we toasted 2 sets of heads in less than 6,000 miles before we got the valve seat angle correct. After that we got 110,000 miles before rebuild. With propane you will get less gas mileage and about a 10% drop in power but in exchange you get larger fuel capacity tanks, cleaner emissions, ability to run higher compression engines and less cyclinder wear as propane gas does not wash the oil off the cylinder walls like gasoline does. Propane motor fuel is cheaper than gasoline also. I think my dad pays like 89 cents a gallon. Only thing that sucks is east of the Mississippi it is hard to find a propane place that sells motor fuel.

My dad's first 454 was converted to propane at 26 miles adn ran until I broke a valve spring at 110,000. When I rebuilt it the inside of the motor was super clean, factory hone marks on the cylinder walls and was in overall excellent shape especially considering the truck it was in was an oilfield hotshot truck. The second motor I built was another 454 with 10.5 to 1 compression and a mild 268 cam. Runs great on propane.

[bvibert]

Here is a somewhat old article from a guy who converted his 63 Rambler to LPG:

http://www.wps.com/LPG/LPG-book-final.html

[Cecil14]

Originally posted by bvibert:
Here is a somewhat old article from a guy who converted his 63 Rambler to LPG:

http://www.wps.com/LPG/LPG-book-final.htmlI found that article earlier and have been reading through it a bit at a time. Looks real good but for the time I think I'm going to stay gas. The 360 is already done and is not really set up as I've seen a propane motor should be.

Thanks guys,
Anthony

[2ndtimearround]

Check out Propane Guy. Excellent rep, plus sells used, reconditioned stuff...

http://www.propaneguy.com/

Lawrence

[mwww2000]

I run just propane on my rig and love it I lost about 5 horse but a small price to pay, with the cost of gas these days. I fill my truck once a week for 20 bucks and get about 300 350 km.