Wondered if anyone is running propane on their pickups and how the mileAge is compared to gasoline
Rural scrapper
propane for your truck
Wondered if anyone is running propane on their pickups and how the mileAge is compared to gasoline
Alvord iron and salvage
3rd generation scrapper and dam proud of it
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
I'd first check your local DOT on possible restrictions like tunnels. It would suck to get it and not be able to get somewhere because of it.
Rural scrapper
Very few tunnels in kansas, our dot regulations are pretty lax here
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I've run several, millage and power slightly depreciated on bone stock engine.Originally Posted by taterjuice
If your building and engine, use heads from one that was designed to use unleaded gasoline the valve seats are induction hardened in addition to having stellite exhaust valves, spot weld the valve rotator otherwise he valves will bore into the seat.
Using older heads you should have stellite seats installed, the Ford 361 and 391 cid engines come out in three versions, light medium and heavy duty, get the HD version, this engine comes with stellite valve seats factory installed with sodium cooled valves. The latter engine makes a perfect candidate for propane fuel use right out of the box.
Replacing Valve Seats in Cylinder Heads
I built a custom 350 with 12.5-1 pistons, high performance cam which I had dialed in, older heads reworked with large valve heads with stellite inserts with bronze guides, to optimize propane advanced the timing. The engine was then coupled to a turbo 400 that I had custom built myself using premium frictions then doing a few tricks inside to make the shifts firm and lightning quick.
One servo gets machines then some clutch drums get a few holes drilled into the sides allowing the oil to be centrifugally flung from inside the clutch pack instead of having to find its way out from the front of the drum. A mild shift kit finishes up the build.
Then the package was installed into a 69 Chevy half, this truck could kick butt.
Ok why would I go to all this trouble of building a custom engine, by using propane as my exclusive fuel which is cheaper than premium fuel I got awesome performance on the cheap.
If you choose to have your engine use dual fuel, there are electronic modules you can purchase that will make automatic adjustments to the engines timing otherwise performance is going to suck. These conversion are lame because your engines compression remains factory stock.
To optimize on propane high compression with advanced timing is the key.
I've always did my own installs then had a licensed tech go over the system to certify. If you can talk him into putting the sticker on the tank you've paid your last tech fee should you ever swap the fuel system onto another truck.
Last edited by gustavus; 06-26-2012 at 12:07 PM.
Rural scrapper
Ok, thought that might be the case, unless the motor is built for propane the performance will suck, but any idea if the mileage is better or bout the same on a propane built motor versus bone stock gasser
Rural scrapper
Any online resources for info on this Gus ? Thanks
Why run on propane? Get a older diesel truck and make the bio diesel for around 30cents a gallon.
Rural scrapper
Simple, spark plugs are cheaper than injector pumps.
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
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Plenty of info on-line, Building High Performance Propane Engine - Google Search
Building trick turbo 400, T-400 Build Tips with Photos
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
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Maybe start a thread on Bio, then you could walk us through all the processes involved before this fantastic bio reaches the fuel tank.Why run on propane? Get a older diesel truck and make the bio diesel for around 30cents a gallon.
1. Collection, fair bit of competition, waste cooking oil is in high demand.
2. Filtering is very time consuming. To be efficient the oil should be heated to make it flow easier, then have a $10,000 filter press.
3. Chemistry, chemicals and more heat.
4. Polishing the fuel, time consuming.
5. Excess Bio, environment requires double walled fuel tanks installed onto a damed enclosure, the list is much larger but you get the idea.
6. Disposing of the waste glycerin.
7. Reclaiming your alcohol to reuse keeping costs down, more heat.
$0.30 a gallon is unrealistic.
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
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Using propane fuel on a stock engine will have acceptable performance, I just like to be at the head of the class with everything I do.
Rural scrapper
Couldn't agree more bout bio diesel its a neat idea just not practical for my operation, rather spent that time scrapping
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Check out NIPSCO the big electric, gas company. They have used natural gas in their service/road vehicles (cars-trucks)for years. The last time we had this discussion here someone looked up some of the "conversions" and they were reasonably priced.
P & M Recycling - Specializing in E-Waste Recycling.
If you enjoy your freedom, thank a vet.
Rural scrapper
recently scrapped a 77 chevy on propane, got me wondering bout propane conversion
Metal Recycling Entrepreneur
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It costs tens of thousands to even think about it. Huge plastic tanks & drums & pumps & stuff & then the chemicals... & don't even think of selling it.Why run on propane? Get a older diesel truck and make the bio diesel for around 30cents a gallon.
Cos if something happens to their engine, the first person they are going to want to talk to, is you.
You can do it if you run a fleet of vehicles, which will all need work done on them to run the bio fuel & don't expect savings for three years.
On the other hand you get to sell the alcohol for cleaning, glycerin & some other stuff too.
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