We can take the discussion off the board once its started... Anybody done it? Whats the cheapest simplest way? Are the "miles per gallon" similar? Anybody got a cheap propane downdraft carb for a 1.5L engine? California smog ramifications? Email me if you do not want to endure the shame or replying, or fear the ire of the board-nazis... Thanks, J burndup@gmail.com
Ain't nothing anti-hot rod about propane conversions--just ask Ak Miller. Here's some background info: http://www.zonk.com/hotrod.htm
ok, I have been wondering about this....with thoughts of converting the chieftain. I looked at the site, and it's pretty kool...but where do ya get stuff??? Maybe it's too early in the mornin for me to notice, if that info is on the site or any of its links, or maybe im just a lazy ***.. any links/suggestions/people from which to get the stuff for doin this???
There's a fork lift junkyard by me. I got all the parts for $50 for propane conversion for a drill rig. But didn't win the bid so never installed them. But fork lifts are a good source for parts.
[ QUOTE ] Ain't nothing anti-hot rod about propane conversions--just ask Ak Miller. Here's some background info: http://www.zonk.com/hotrod.htm [/ QUOTE ] Zonk, Funny story. My wife is heavily involved in "green" design at an architecture firm in Mt. View. We got to talking about my obsession with old cars and she says something like, "I wouldn't mind driving an old car if we could convert it to some alternative fuel." I thought to myself, "Self, this is a chance for you to spend money building a car while blaming the expense on your wife." Well...kinda. She said she wanted something more compact and she wanted to pick it. I found a few things that roughly fit the description until she...er, we settled on a '53 Ford Vicky. So now all I have to do is fix some rust, rebuild the front end, lower it (for my peace of mind), rewire it, do Kosmetic Kustom Kulture Krazyness to it (spoiler, ground defects, neon lights, THE WORKS), and convert it to propane. I'd like to keep the Flathead in it as it's going strong on a recent rebuild. What do you think? Would it be crazy to keep the Flatty in it given the already low stock horsepower? What all will I have to mess with to make this work? -r
Another really good way to go for alternative fuels is E85. A little more jetting, a little less timing. Presto... http://www.e85fuel.com/
There is plenty of Knowledge down this way on this (LGP) both Ford and GM do factory LPG cars now, prolly not much worth it unless you can do it cheap on 1.5 litre car. I had a 4.1 Ford 6 on LPG was great..... On the wife and environmently freindly car deal, just owning an oldie is more friendly then churning out a new one....... even with the bad emmisions from an old car it would take a heck of a long time to make up for the energy and resources used to build a new one with 75% of the emmisions.....
Same here and Holland: plenty of knowledge on LPG which is applied to most US cars used as a daily driver. I've got a pic at home of my Chevelle to show all components needed. Conversion is pretty easy. I'll post the pics tonight if I still got 'em...
Hillbilly - Mixers and converters are available from companies like IMPCO. Do a web search and you'll start turning stuff up. I got my mixer/converter from Ak Miller's ex-wife Marilyn, who runs a small company called MM in Pico Rivera (SoCal). I'll probably get a fuel lock-off from IMPCO. I've found Franz Hoffman's site to be useful for general information on propane conversions: http://franzh.home.texas.net/ Randy - Hah! We should start a local support group or something. The flathead is going to lose some power on propane--and we know it doesn't have much to give--unless you do something to compensate, such as mill the heads for higher compression and/or adjust the timing curve for propane. I'd suggest either pumping up the flatty with some speed parts or finding a stock 302 and a bellhousing adapter. Zman - I'd definitely consider running E85 if there were any filling stations in California. It's a feasible option if you live in the midwest where the infrastructure is reasonably mature.
my ole lady just picked me up some early 50s issues of Hot Rod, and one of them is about using propane. I haven't got a chance to look it over yet, but if theres anything that might help you out I'll post it. If i had a scanner I'd just scan the pages for ya....
As 55Olds88 and ElCaminoKid point out, propane conversions are very popular in other parts of the world where gasoline is almost prohibitively expensive for a rumbly V8 car. I predict the same fate for the U.S. in the next 10-15 years--consider the latest obscene gasoline price hikes a dry rehearsal.
I bought a bunch of IMPCO propane "kits" off ebay. there are 2 main sizes, for different displacements. I still am hoping to put 2 of those setups on a dual intake for my flathead (rpu) The background on those are made for lower rpm usage. I also have a real old propane "kit" with a flange mount made for the 3-bolt 94 style carb. It is cool. I will try to post a picture of it later tonight. i heard that propane powered engines run super clean, and result in pretty much no oil dilution due to carbon and gas, which really helps on longevity. Fortunately there is a U-HAUL a couple blocks away, but for long drives, there would be alot of preplanning. good luck travis aka zibo (ZONK nice website!)
A friend of mine had a 66 chev 1/2ton 4wd all done up, and had propane on it. after about 120,000 miles we tore the motor down. IT LOOKED LIKE WE JUST TOOK IT OUT OF THE HEAT TANK. that thing looked brand new inside, NO CARBON. I think its definately worth it. albeit a bit ugly on an open motor, but realistic and affordable to drive.
Propane conversions usually get a bad rap for not having much power.If compression in raised to 12/1 or better they perform well.Propane can be run at 25/1 comp ratios w/ no detonation problems.Diesel motors work well for high performance applications.Propane is also a great choice for turbo and super charged motors.
There was an article about it in A 4 wheel mag a few months back, but I don't remember which one, so I guess that's not a lot of help.
I've been running propane in my 48 merc. street rod and my big block powered 72 merc./ford pickup for over 20 years. both are duel fuel units. the last big block {460} in my pickup lasted 352,000 miles before the bearings got tired. even with all that milage , the valley was clean as well as the rest of the insides. you can usually find conversion units at swap meets real cheap, because most people don't understand how they work, so they take them off. i have 2 shelves full of xtra parts when i need something, i don't need to go to a dealer.anyone need a straight propane carb, let me know.
Also, it's recomended to install new valve guides and valve seats for the old engines. LPG is much 'dryer' then leaded petrol, so it will not lubricate the valve guides and seats as the leaded petrol would and in the long term this might damage your heads (altough it's more of a problem on small engines - I never upgraded myself never had any problems). Performance wise: theoretically, LPG should raise the output of your engine, as the octane# is a couple of points higher then the now common unleaded RON 99 compared to RON 104? for LPG (I think in US RON/MON numbers this is 95 vs 100) but this can only be achived when the engine is tuned solely for use on LPG, easiest to do in LPI (Liquid Petrol Gas Injection) conversions. A buddy of mine is achieving this with some rice cars.
[ QUOTE ] Fortunately there is a U-HAUL a couple blocks away, but for long drives, there would be alot of preplanning. [/ QUOTE ] Yeah, but there are RV campsites everywhere - many of them have propane refills - and U-Haul places are common enough.
I have installed a few hundred LPG conversions while working For Nissan Forklift corp. They are easy to install, easy to tune, and require a large area for a fuel tank. Here in farm country, there are alot of conversions in the junkyards, so a large flow system should be doable for cheap. The throttle body will often need to be rebushed, and old regulators may need a quick cheap refurbish. Hey, a couple of mixers on a blower, sitting on someone's old 12.5:1 mill would be pretty formidable. Add a blower to that flathead with about 15 psi and there will be a few extra ponies for ya.
Lots of Propane carbs and stuff on Ebay cheap.Even if you have to buy the parts new,they are not expensive,except the tanks. But I'm more interested in liquid Propane Injection,specifically for use with a blower or turbo.Anyone know where to find more about this ?
A few links to check out: http://www.gas-injection.com/ http://www.kettering.edu/~lpgvan/SAE-LPG.html http://www.bi-phase.com/publish/default.htm
I've had two trucks running on propane. Never a problem. Both were 454 crew cab duallys. Maybe 10% less HP than gas. Up here propane is about half the price of gas. There are plenty of conversions for sale up here. All the taxis use propane. Look in www.buysell.com
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