Blazer 350 on propane?

[Disciples Performance]

Hey guys so im selling my first K5 cause its just a lost cause no point in me dumping my time and effort into that one when i just found a way better one for 900$ and jsut needs doors and 1 rocker i already have the doors and 3/4 ton axles for it with 33's and 4 inch lift kit so it has a 350 on propane does anybody like running propane engines in the bush how are they for power ive always had gas so i dunno what propane is like but i like the fact that i can get it for like 60cents a litre CAD so just let me know what you all think about it

Thanks

Nick

 

[sled_dog]

range may not be great, wherever you go you have to find a place that will fill it up. But how it runs? great, though less powerful. The exact same motor and settings on Propane vs Gasoline the gas will make more power than the propane. Now Propane has higher compression, so throw on some new heads for lower compression, and advance the timing and that engine will come alive. I am putting propane on my project S10. 383 with around 11:1 compression and a roller cam. Ought to run well on the LPG. If the parts are in good shape Propane rocks. Oh and propane runs at any angle. No fuel pickup or pump so starving for fuel only happens if a component fails or you run out of fuel. Of course, when you run out of fuel, you can't grab your red can and go over to the local gas station...

Pros:
-any angle running
-cheap
-higher octane

Cons:
-mileage is slightly less from what I'm told
-less power on the exact same engine
-can't just top it off with a red gas can
-finding fueling stations

 

[74 chev]

I run it and love it its cheap and simple you just need to think ahead and find a place to get it from all the time you can always carry a forklift tank around as a spare also.

 

[Disciples Performance]

ya i was thinking a BBQ tank even but how do u find it for power?? lots of balls or not so much?

 

[AussieK5]

From a previous post, might be applicable.....

Ive run propane engines for years and recently built another engine up (my third for LPG). If you build it specifically for LPG you wont see any power loss over a petrol engine (92-96 octane).
They run and sound just like a petrol engine.
Cold starts are a breeze because of the homogenous nature of the fuel and the top end is only restricted by the size of the mixer, same as a under carbed pertol engine.
You will see power loss if you run a dual fuel setup because of the mixer having to be placed (usually) above the carb causing a constriction. I wont run a dual fuel set-up, I have in the past and recomend them to very few people.

Some standard setup points for a straight propane engine:

Compression: up to 10.5:1 (depends on the application and heads ie alloy heads vs iron and trail truck vs heavy hauler)

Timing: 10 deg at crank, Full adv by 2250 - 2500, If you tow max total adv should not exceed 30 deg.

Ignition: GM HEI considered a minimum standard, good leads and plugs also required.

Plugs: at range colder, maybe 2 depending on where and how you drive

Heat: Get rid of any heat risers etc that transfer heat to the fuel, LPG is gas and does not need it. This is a big thing, cool the intake charge and you will see a good change in power and economy.

Intake: Any single plane manifold with raised runners will give good service. It will idle like petrol factory manifold and run to what ever RPM you want. The raised runners help reduce intake charge temps.

Heads and Valves: Hardend seats and a good valve job, concentric seats, 45 deg face angles, no interference angle. Valve seats between 1/16 - 3/32 depending on the application

Rings and pistons: Whatever pistons you want for your application and if you want chrome rings break them in on petrol for a 1000 miles first otherwise it will take anywhere up to 60K to bed them on propane.

Cam: whatever suits you application really, you can get LPG specific cams here but they cost $$$ and the gains are almost negligible.

My K20 gives 11mpg on the highway with 4.56 and no OD. Unleaded is $1.30 AUD a litre at the moment and LPG is 42c....

HTH If you want any specific questions answered I'm more than happy to advise.

Jason

 

[ProJunkRacing]

they big thing is to have a motor with mods that is ready for it then it will beat the crap out of a normal 350

 

[4xcrazy]

Police cruisers have them, they need some sort of power to pursue the bad little children out there on the highways..

 

[Quicksilverb33]

do u have any pic of it ?