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Propane..?.............another q , post #23

rob h

rob h

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How many of you guys run propane on your trucks..? Especially on anything other than a stock motor..
 
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this is my friend Claytons buggy. it runs straight propane. bigblock dynoed just over 500hp. Tied for 1st with it a TTC 3 years ago. Pane' does pretty good.

Twist_again.JPG
 
ok maybe i worded it wrong..lol... i seen that on ttc on the outdoor channel, not quite what im looking for but 500 hp must be fun in that.
 
I`ve seen that thing in Reddeer at the 4x4 expo, ran sweet till it ran out of propane. lol. Just tore down a 350 that ran on propane, the engine was nice and clean inside, but the heads are shot. The exhaust valve on one side is cracked, 3 others are sunk inside the seat. Just saying update your heads so they dont burn up.
 
I've run a 93? 2500 that was converted to 'pane when new. runs good, great mileage, quiet, but i can't stand that propane stink!
 
not to highjack too much, but is the stink normal? Is that during fill ups or do you think it's leaking a bit?
 
make sure you run the correct cam.When choosing the cam keep lobe separation in mind and if using a vacuum lockoff make sure not to use to big of cam so you will have enough vaccum to open the lockoff. I run a mild 350 with vortec heads, earson cam .488/.488 lift 232/234 duration 108 lobe center. The motor is very strong and has very good torque as well topend but is pretty much done at 6000 rpms. Very strong from off idle to 4500 rpms. Also remember that propane is around 115-120 octane and loves the timing advanced.
 
I'm running propane and love it. The smell is normal but that to me is the only down side. Runs awsome at any angle any terrain. It only takes like 4 inches of vacuum to open the fuel lock of IIRC. A buddy has a pretty healthy 440 mopar on propane and it runs flawlessly from 200 rpm to 6000 rpm.
So if your thinking about doin it go for it you wont regret it!
 
I have a 400 w/ an R.V. cam, headers and true duals, I can idle at 200 RPM w/o stalling, I have to seriously try to stall it. As far as power goes i can't complain, but then again my D.D. is a 3.0 Ranger.

The only complaint I have is mpg, but then again I am always laying in it :doah:. Bottom line is you won't regret it. I am set up with a impco 425 mixer and a model E vaporizer.
 
I run a 12.5:1 427 on Propane and love it. As mentioned before, the heads can take a beating if not built properly, but any machine shop worth its salt will know what needs to be done. Mine has been together since '89 and has over 100000 miles on it and the heads haven't been off since it was built. I had the pan off this winter and it looked like new inside. You can still see the crosshatch in the cylinders. I run a 425 and an Impco E. I prefer a Century M6 vaporizer, but i let my last one get away on my K20 when I sold it.
 
I posted this in an old thread, might be useful if your going gear up for propane.

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.
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This has worked well for me over the last 20 years running a variety of SBC's.

Jas
 
Only things I don't like about propane are the range limitations and the smell.

Its kind of a pain when one or two guys hold up the whole group for a bit cause they station they thought carried propane doesn't. Or when you have to run out of the trail to go get a tank filled for someone who ran out.

Those problems can be avoided though.
 
blazinzuk said:
Only things I don't like about propane are the range limitations and the smell.

Its kind of a pain when one or two guys hold up the whole group for a bit cause they station they thought carried propane doesn't. Or when you have to run out of the trail to go get a tank filled for someone who ran out.

Those problems can be avoided though.
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Ya i will second this because I am this guy :doah:, and hate it when I have have to wait on people. But it is an easy fix - plan, plan, plan:haha:!
 
A couple of guys in our group and myself are running propane... I just did mine, so not much experience...

I noticed a difference right away though... Mild built 350, rv cam, headers, dual exhaust... Great response, stupid simple and if you've worked in the warehouse industry the smell doesn't really bother you...

The other guys are running a built 454 and a 383 stroker... Both love it...

Helping another buddy put the kit on his 460 in a week or two...
 
I know this has been asked before, but for the sake of answers from the guys that have recently added propane......... What kit did you use, and what kind of cost?
 
I would love to go propane, but for the limitations on filling up... I wont.

Same reason I really hesitate doing anything more the my motor. I want to be able to run pump gas all the time and not have to worry. Mid grade at most. Some places we wheel... you cant get anything but 87 octane.
 
DR said:
I know this has been asked before, but for the sake of answers from the guys that have recently added propane......... What kit did you use, and what kind of cost?
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None of us are running kits...(The ones in my post)

They've been pulled off of old trucks...

Mine didn't cost me a dime...:D
 
four_by_ken said:
I would love to go propane, but for the limitations on filling up... I wont.

Same reason I really hesitate doing anything more the my motor. I want to be able to run pump gas all the time and not have to worry. Mid grade at most. Some places we wheel... you cant get anything but 87 octane.
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LOL guys ask me all the time when I am going to build up my motor, I say never, stock TBI stock 350= dead reliable.

With propane most of the guys I know that run it are ready to go but sometimes they have had to turn back early at the dunes or stop playing in a mud pit or just leave the trail early cause they know they will run out. Every single one of these guys is runnin dual tanks not sure how big but whatever the biggest ones they could fit were.

With my comments you may think I am anti propane, not really. I just like things being simple. I go to the gas station and fill up, thats all.

Propane is a good fuel
 
I agree with Blazin', when I used to have propane on wheelers it cut into the enjoyment somewhat. You have to plan all you adventures like your flying there instead, calc fuel loads, useage, allow for stuff ups and wrong turns, locate propane sources and opening times, establish bingo fuel points.......pita.

I only run it in my DD's or 2wd now and that's usually with a 50gal main tank and 18gal sub tank.

And yes I love the stuff too.

Jas
 
four_by_ken said:
I would love to go propane, but for the limitations on filling up... I wont.

Same reason I really hesitate doing anything more the my motor. I want to be able to run pump gas all the time and not have to worry. Mid grade at most. Some places we wheel... you cant get anything but 87 octane.
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You can always run dual fuel, gas to the trail, propane for the trail. :D. I never ran it personally, but it seems it would solve the problem. I just run a 25 gal tank mounted on the bed, lasts me some time about two days of hard wheeling. But I will agree, its always on my mind b/c the fuel gauge is mounted on the tank and isn't very accurate. :doah:

As for kits gotpropane.com has really nice complete kits w/ dual fuel. Or you can piece together one, but like what has been said before it is super easy to put together.
 
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