What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Propane Conversion -1986 K5 Blazer - Suggestions Needed...

PWagon

PWagon

1/2 ton status
Joined
Mar 6, 2009
Posts
516
Reaction score
164
Location
Dallas
Okay, I did a search on the forum about this topic, but nothing applied to what I am looking to do. I have a daily driver that I need to swap over to propane. I'm NOT looking to build a mud buggy or dragster... I need to keep this truck a "daily driver". The main reasons I want to switch is so I can climb at any angle and not flood the engine out, plus (and more importantly) I'd like to be able to roll the windows down or take the top off without smelling all the dang gas/exhaust fumes my engine is putting out.

Does anyone have experience converting an engine from gasoline to propane? And if so, do you have any words of wisdom you'd like to share with me? I know there's a lot of things to consider like where to install the new propane fuel tank, how to connect the gas gauge to the new system, etc. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks guys...
 
Mine is on LPG. I fully converted it and it was pretty easy. Because of the BTUs and the most common carb sizes you will loose a little power. Still I pay like 1.90ish for LPG so it has its pluses. I am using a impco 425 (about 450 cfm) model E vaporizor an electic cutoff and a 80 gallon tank. The only problem with a blazer is the fact that most tanks would be mounted inside so you need to extend the pop off to outside the vehicle so if it would relief it wouldn't do it in the cab.
 
There is a reason that forklifts are on lpg. The fumes may stink but they are less likely to kill you.
 
38377k5 said:
I wouldn't count on propane making that better.
Click to expand...
My son's elementary school uses propane powered floor polishers to polish the floor tiles. If it's clean enough for elementary schools, then it's good enough for everyone.
 
80' 427 said:
Mine is on LPG. I fully converted it and it was pretty easy. Because of the BTUs and the most common carb sizes you will loose a little power. Still I pay like 1.90ish for LPG so it has its pluses. I am using a impco 425 (about 450 cfm) model E vaporizor an electic cutoff and a 80 gallon tank. The only problem with a blazer is the fact that most tanks would be mounted inside so you need to extend the pop off to outside the vehicle so if it would relief it wouldn't do it in the cab.
Click to expand...

Do you have a pic of you tank installed? Just wonder how it looks size and location.
 
80' 427 said:
Mine is on LPG. I fully converted it and it was pretty easy. Because of the BTUs and the most common carb sizes you will loose a little power. Still I pay like 1.90ish for LPG so it has its pluses. I am using a impco 425 (about 450 cfm) model E vaporizor an electic cutoff and a 80 gallon tank. The only problem with a blazer is the fact that most tanks would be mounted inside so you need to extend the pop off to outside the vehicle so if it would relief it wouldn't do it in the cab.
Click to expand...
You mentioned that your's is on LPG. Is there ANY smell at the tailpipe? I am so tired of smelling exhaust, and I'm trying to get to a solution that has little to no stink at the tailpipe. I know propane exhaust does give off a smell, but does your exhaust overwhelm the passengers in your Blazer?
 
PWagon said:
My son's elementary school uses propane powered floor polishers to polish the floor tiles. If it's clean enough for elementary schools, then it's good enough for everyone.
Click to expand...

Yeah, but that's probably a ~2hp motor.

My buggy runs on propane and it definitely smells like it, that's the point I was trying to make.
 
trav0302 said:
Do you have a pic of you tank installed? Just wonder how it looks size and location.
Click to expand...

0330121838.jpg


My buddy had a car tank that was about 40 gallons in his blazer and he had it bolted to the floor behind the rear seat. It was 2 tanks about 1.5" around and 4 foot long and maybe 4 foot wide. My other buddy with a blazer just runs a forklift tank and fills it at his house so 1) no one ever fills it for him and 2) he never has the top on.


PWagon said:
You mentioned that your's is on LPG. Is there ANY smell at the tailpipe? I am so tired of smelling exhaust, and I'm trying to get to a solution that has little to no stink at the tailpipe. I know propane exhaust does give off a smell, but does your exhaust overwhelm the passengers in your Blazer?
Click to expand...

It smells like it runs on propane kinda like a BBQ grill or forklift. Some say it stinks (some of it is the smell they add so you can "smell" propane) but honestly it can run and not give you that headache and chest pains I get from running a gas powered car all day in a shop. Right now my exhaust ends at the cab so I get some of the exhaust smell when driving slow, nothing like a gas powered engine.
 
38377k5 said:
Yeah, but that's probably a ~2hp motor.

My buggy runs on propane and it definitely smells like it, that's the point I was trying to make.
Click to expand...

There is a difference thought, don't you think? I have been on the trail behind overfueled and flooding gas carbs and WOW it can make you sick. The other thing to rememeber is lean is better than rich on a LPG carb. It doesn't cool the intake charge like gas does so any fuel that isn't burn gets the exhaust and exhaust valves super hot.
 
wouldn't it be cheaper/easier to get your carb right so it doesn't smell or stall out? both of those are indicating a problem with your intake.
 
PWagon said:
My son's elementary school uses propane powered floor polishers to polish the floor tiles. If it's clean enough for elementary schools, then it's good enough for everyone.
Click to expand...
Yea..... Public Elementary School's are the best way decide what's good...For everyone. :rolleyes:




:haha: Had to say it.... It was wide open.
 
80' 427 said:
There is a difference thought, don't you think? I have been on the trail behind overfueled and flooding gas carbs and WOW it can make you sick.
Click to expand...

Wait a minute . . . . . . . . . . . .

Martin
 
I've worked for a few warehouses that ran propane forklifts and the smell is there but its no were near as bad as gas. All of the warehouses ran em inside nonstop and you just get use to the smell.
 
trav0302 said:
I've worked for a few warehouses that ran propane forklifts and the smell is there but its no were near as bad as gas. All of the warehouses ran em inside nonstop and you just get use to the smell.
Click to expand...
ive done the same and its not bad at all compared to raw gas or strait exhaust coming into you rig from gasoline.after it burns most of the rotten egg smell is gone as well.thats only there to tell you you have a leak before its burnt off.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom