Silver84k5
1/2 ton status
gotmud77 said:Thats $1.30 per liter
Doh... damn metric system..
thx
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 power
- Thread starter original balzer
- Start date
Doh... damn metric system..
thx
My tank is 100 gallons but its the bed of my 1-ton. I would think you could put two 20 gal in place of the tank in a Blazer. If you ran your exhaust out one side you could put another one there. If you try and do a dual fuel I think you screwed in a Blazer.
jhellwig
1/2 ton status
I have to dissagree with whoever said cold starting is a breeze. Everything propane that I have seen don't work worth a crap below freezing untill the engine warms up.
I agree mine doesn't warm up to save its life
AussieK5
1/2 ton status
Dunno about the cold start problems, mines not a duel setup and after the obligatory 2-3 seconds of cranking to get vapour to the mixer idles the same as hot.
Have you got your coolant lines routed correctly? If not the vapouriser is not going to vapourise very well until the temp goes up, you'll get a slight constriction at the liquid nozzle (from icing) and resulting poor fuel flow.
I had a shop set up my first conversion (duel) and on a cold morning the vapouriser would turn into a chunk of ice. Mine setups now run straight from the block and are 1" hoses. That said, the lowest temps we have round here are only 3-4 deg celcius below freezing.
Its prolly a whole load colder where you are so yeah it would be hard to get a good charge of vapourised LPG at start up....though that should be the same for any carb/tbi engine.
I ran a dual fuel setup in a 73' K5, the only place to place was behind the rear seat which was a major PITA.
I have a k5 now which I'll be selling (unleaded is up to $2.00 litre outside metro areas) because of the limitations of running LPG tanks in them....its a sad day indeed.
Have you got your coolant lines routed correctly? If not the vapouriser is not going to vapourise very well until the temp goes up, you'll get a slight constriction at the liquid nozzle (from icing) and resulting poor fuel flow.
I had a shop set up my first conversion (duel) and on a cold morning the vapouriser would turn into a chunk of ice. Mine setups now run straight from the block and are 1" hoses. That said, the lowest temps we have round here are only 3-4 deg celcius below freezing.
Its prolly a whole load colder where you are so yeah it would be hard to get a good charge of vapourised LPG at start up....though that should be the same for any carb/tbi engine.
I ran a dual fuel setup in a 73' K5, the only place to place was behind the rear seat which was a major PITA.
I have a k5 now which I'll be selling (unleaded is up to $2.00 litre outside metro areas) because of the limitations of running LPG tanks in them....its a sad day indeed.
blazin_blazer
1/2 ton status
tell me where
i've been searching the local lpg refill yards, the internet, etc. and i can't find anyplace to buy an lpg conversion....i don't want a dual fuel just propane...but i've just about come to the conclusion that the oil companies have bought up all the patents and took them off the market....when you buy a kit, assuming you can find 1, do they come with pretty good detailed instuctions on how to set it up and adjust it correctly? i've found a place to buy tanks...one that will fit where my gas tank is in my blazer and it holds 50 gallons and they only fill to 80% so thats 40 gallons of fuel that is 1/2 the price of petro and thru my research i've found that propane get about 9/10 mileage as compared to lpg so i want to swap for $ reason plus it seems like it has all the good chariristics like an efi motor such as run on extreme angles even upside down. any good links to lpg conversions would be appreciated plus links to places to buy the kits would be appreciated also...thanks
i've been searching the local lpg refill yards, the internet, etc. and i can't find anyplace to buy an lpg conversion....i don't want a dual fuel just propane...but i've just about come to the conclusion that the oil companies have bought up all the patents and took them off the market....when you buy a kit, assuming you can find 1, do they come with pretty good detailed instuctions on how to set it up and adjust it correctly? i've found a place to buy tanks...one that will fit where my gas tank is in my blazer and it holds 50 gallons and they only fill to 80% so thats 40 gallons of fuel that is 1/2 the price of petro and thru my research i've found that propane get about 9/10 mileage as compared to lpg so i want to swap for $ reason plus it seems like it has all the good chariristics like an efi motor such as run on extreme angles even upside down. any good links to lpg conversions would be appreciated plus links to places to buy the kits would be appreciated also...thanks
mini_mull
1/2 ton status
already linked above, gotpropane.com
Blazr77400
1/2 ton status
Here is my setup. It uses dual Impco 425 carbs, dual model L vaporizers, and VFF 30 vacumm lock off valve. The intake is a edelbrock dual quad intake. I got a distributor is an HEI off of Ebay. The heads are Edelbrock Aluminum Performer RPM heads. For the cam I just called up Comp cams and told them what I had as far as Drivetrain and what I use the truck for. They gave me a cam with 230-234 duration and .470 lift. I thought it was a little big, but have been told that more duration would improve power. The power is good to 6000 RPM, probably good to 8000 RPM If the motor could handle it. The smell of the propane doesnt bother me. I am not sure If I am running rich, but the propane from my exhaust doesn't smell so bad like the forklifts from work.
I am very pleased with the propane setup. Starts right up every time. The carbs and vaporizers are very simple. You only need a flat head screw driver to rebuild them. I run a 80 gallon tank which is ends up being a 60 gallon tank because you can fill them to 75%. The only draw back to propane I have found is the fueling stations. Its okay locally, but when you go out of town its a little harder to find them. On anything other then a truck, its going to be difficult to get a tank to fit. Not impossible, just have to search a little more.
I also put a fuel sender on the tank so my stock fuel gauge still works. Since the tank can only be filled to 75%, it reads full at 75% and empty at 0%.
The price is probably the best benefit as Its a $1.25 at Flying J if You have one of there rewards card(which is free by the way) and the guy that works there said the price hasnt changed since he started there 4 months ago.
www.PROPANEGUY.com is the place to go if you want a good quality affordable system that uses no electronics what so ever. Thats where I got my whole system.
www.gotpropane.com would be the place for a good quality expensive system.
Here are a couple good links. The first one has hit its limit on views, but will start over in a new month so visit that one for sure.
http://lonestar.texas.net/weblock.html
http://www.impco.ws/
http://www.alternatefuelsracing.com/
http://www.wps.com/LPG/index.html#INDEX
http://www.mergetel.com/~fraso/RasoEnterprises/Propane-Model425.htm
http://www.gasresearch.com.au/
http://www.patooyee.com/ Click "Technical", then "The Pane"
I am very pleased with the propane setup. Starts right up every time. The carbs and vaporizers are very simple. You only need a flat head screw driver to rebuild them. I run a 80 gallon tank which is ends up being a 60 gallon tank because you can fill them to 75%. The only draw back to propane I have found is the fueling stations. Its okay locally, but when you go out of town its a little harder to find them. On anything other then a truck, its going to be difficult to get a tank to fit. Not impossible, just have to search a little more.
I also put a fuel sender on the tank so my stock fuel gauge still works. Since the tank can only be filled to 75%, it reads full at 75% and empty at 0%.
The price is probably the best benefit as Its a $1.25 at Flying J if You have one of there rewards card(which is free by the way) and the guy that works there said the price hasnt changed since he started there 4 months ago.
www.PROPANEGUY.com is the place to go if you want a good quality affordable system that uses no electronics what so ever. Thats where I got my whole system.
www.gotpropane.com would be the place for a good quality expensive system.
Here are a couple good links. The first one has hit its limit on views, but will start over in a new month so visit that one for sure.
http://lonestar.texas.net/weblock.html
http://www.impco.ws/
http://www.alternatefuelsracing.com/
http://www.wps.com/LPG/index.html#INDEX
http://www.mergetel.com/~fraso/RasoEnterprises/Propane-Model425.htm
http://www.gasresearch.com.au/
http://www.patooyee.com/ Click "Technical", then "The Pane"
Visit
http://www.propanecouncil.org/trade/fleet/refueling.htm#
Click vehicle conversions on right menu.
Also here for a list of companies that do conversions for all type of cars and trucks.
http://www.propanecouncil.org/files/2005_PropaneProducts2.pdf
http://www.propanecouncil.org/trade/fleet/refueling.htm#
Click vehicle conversions on right menu.
Also here for a list of companies that do conversions for all type of cars and trucks.
http://www.propanecouncil.org/files/2005_PropaneProducts2.pdf
Excellent thread. I'm considering converting to propane. I've read a lot about it in the past few days. I have two questions:
1. Where are you guys getting your tanks at? I'd like to have a fairly large tank.
2. Also, I do most of my wheeling within 100 miles of home. I've found a propane filling station (U-Haul) which is only 10 miles away from my house. A few times a year I leave the state to wheel, and I drive my junk to and from the trails. I figure that I could simply leave the existing fuel system in place, and swap back to a carb if necessary for long trips. When I got to the trail I assume that I could put the 425 mixer back on. Other than possibly adjusting the ignition timing, is there anything else that would prevent me from doing this? Also, I'm only talking about 2-3 trips "far away" per year, so it'd be running strictly on propane the rest of the time.
Roy
1. Where are you guys getting your tanks at? I'd like to have a fairly large tank.
2. Also, I do most of my wheeling within 100 miles of home. I've found a propane filling station (U-Haul) which is only 10 miles away from my house. A few times a year I leave the state to wheel, and I drive my junk to and from the trails. I figure that I could simply leave the existing fuel system in place, and swap back to a carb if necessary for long trips. When I got to the trail I assume that I could put the 425 mixer back on. Other than possibly adjusting the ignition timing, is there anything else that would prevent me from doing this? Also, I'm only talking about 2-3 trips "far away" per year, so it'd be running strictly on propane the rest of the time.
Roy
Tenpack
Registered Member
You can run off a propane cylinder like a BBQ tank, which is a 20lber. There is 100lb tanks which hold 100 lbs of propane. You can hook em to the filler valve by a special hose that goes from a QCC1 male to a filler valve fitting. They are hard to find and frowned upon, but they work and will save you in a pinch. Because pane runs off pressure, a 100lb tank will work better than a 20lber. IN canada, you need a to take a course and have the signs on the truck if you are carrying any more than 5 tanks, regardless of size.
micah
1/2 ton status
already mentioned, but those of us at AustinK5.net that run propane (currently 5, and number is growing) all love it. None of us have any issues with lack of power. The note above about loss at high rpm's was with a 472caddy motor only running a 425 mixer which is intended for a small block.
Nonesuch's write-up (http://austink5.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=712) is an excellent compilation of exactly what you need and where to get it to run propane on a chevy small block. Most of us run 10 gallon tanks, some run 2 side by side behind the backseat... but I for example, run a 10 gallon for a full weekend of wheeling at Katemcy Rocks and just keep an 8 gallon forklift tank handy as a spare.
Nonesuch is running a very tired 78 corvette motor (the weakest vette ever) and did nothing before swapping to propane. he has had no issue. I built my motor (350 with 305 heads with about 10:1) and again, the setup is a breeze and it runs very strong.
Anyway, my thoughts are anyone that is currently running a carb and wants to be able to handle extreme angles should seriously consider propane over EFI since there is no computer, for ease of tuning, and it is CHEAP compared to EFI.
my q-jet ran great, but I doubt it could have done this...
and I turned right and drove out of this...
I know, i'm a pic whore
Nonesuch's write-up (http://austink5.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=712) is an excellent compilation of exactly what you need and where to get it to run propane on a chevy small block. Most of us run 10 gallon tanks, some run 2 side by side behind the backseat... but I for example, run a 10 gallon for a full weekend of wheeling at Katemcy Rocks and just keep an 8 gallon forklift tank handy as a spare.
Nonesuch is running a very tired 78 corvette motor (the weakest vette ever) and did nothing before swapping to propane. he has had no issue. I built my motor (350 with 305 heads with about 10:1) and again, the setup is a breeze and it runs very strong.
Anyway, my thoughts are anyone that is currently running a carb and wants to be able to handle extreme angles should seriously consider propane over EFI since there is no computer, for ease of tuning, and it is CHEAP compared to EFI.
my q-jet ran great, but I doubt it could have done this...
and I turned right and drove out of this...
I know, i'm a pic whore
micah
1/2 ton status
you can just make out my tank and cooler just behind my back seat in that first pic. one thing I forgot to mention is that after swapping to propane, you get to remove the hemorrhoid that is the stock gas tank.
All the problems that mine has are from I'm sure from lack of maintenence. The guy I bought it off of from what I can tell has done none judging buy the amount of things that have gone bad on the truck in the seven months that I have owned it. I have no idea how the lines are run and they are probally run wrong. I don't think that the truck has had a tune up since day one so thats another issue that I'm sure is contributing to the situation. But all in all I like the set up and have no complaints. I however don't think I would do a conversion just to do one I don't think that the cost savings are enough to justify it. If you want the other wheeling benifits then I say do it, but to go and buy the system and put it in I don't think you would save any money. I have seen and heard about systems in junk yards so if you can find one cheap then do it.
micah
1/2 ton status
kgblazerfive said:
I should have been more specific. of the 5 of us that converted at AustinK5, I think I spent the most for my used parts at $130 for the mixer, vaporizer, and shutoff valve (it was vaccum but I replaced it with an electric one). the other guys found a hook-up for $75 each after I already had mine.
so add that to the cost of the hi pressure lines, fittings, tank, and mounts and I personally have <400 in my system.
thebigdaddyof2
1/2 ton status
Micah,
The link to the article is bad...
The link to the article is bad...
micah
1/2 ton status
unfortunately its my freakin' webhost that's bad. sorry for the error. try again later.
[off topic]
and for those that are interested... www.hostony.com is not the web host you want to go with if you want your site to stay online for more than a few hours at a time. i'm currently looking for a new host even though we're paid up for 2 years
[/off topic]
[off topic]
and for those that are interested... www.hostony.com is not the web host you want to go with if you want your site to stay online for more than a few hours at a time. i'm currently looking for a new host even though we're paid up for 2 years
[/off topic]
DEMON44
Low-Tech Redneck
I run LPG in my wheeler. Sounds no different, I can't smell it at all. LPG around here is rated to 110 octane. But some stations tell me they're dropping the rating to 106. I don't know why.
AussieK5 hit everything right on the head. 10.5:1 would be good. LPG holds about 10% less btu's than gasoline, but with a properly built engine the loss is not noticable. I have a 410L tank mounted on the rear @ 80% legal fill limit I've got about 325L usable fuel. I use a cheater hose with BBQ bottles as jerrycans, good in a pinch. I can wheel a full long weekend on 1 tank and still have lots left. Pressurized fuel, no fuel pump, runs upside down, lots of pluses going for it. I like it and will continue useing it.
Heres a shot of the tank, bolted to the frame. Just cause I'm a camera whore.......just ignore the unfinished state of the truck.
AussieK5 hit everything right on the head. 10.5:1 would be good. LPG holds about 10% less btu's than gasoline, but with a properly built engine the loss is not noticable. I have a 410L tank mounted on the rear @ 80% legal fill limit I've got about 325L usable fuel. I use a cheater hose with BBQ bottles as jerrycans, good in a pinch. I can wheel a full long weekend on 1 tank and still have lots left. Pressurized fuel, no fuel pump, runs upside down, lots of pluses going for it. I like it and will continue useing it.
Heres a shot of the tank, bolted to the frame. Just cause I'm a camera whore.......just ignore the unfinished state of the truck.
thebigdaddyof2
1/2 ton status
We've heard all the positive points to propane power...how bout the bad?
Is there any negatives?
(Speaking really on trail rig usage only)
Is there any negatives?
(Speaking really on trail rig usage only)
85mudblazin
1/2 ton status
Well the only bad things that I can see is that propane doesnt have the oil in it like gas does.thebigdaddyof2 said:
And if you ran out on the trail it could get fun if no one else runs pane.
