I just installed propane on my chevy 350. I used the 450 mixer. It’s running like crap! I tried timing it but that didn’t really help. It has no power. Can anyone who installed propane on there truck help me? I'm 30 min north of Dallas if anyone is close by.
CK5
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Propane Problems!
- Thread starter tom4
- Start date
Its common to loose a bit of power when switching to propane, but it shouldn't be enough to make the engine a dog... Maybe try putting a larger venturi into the carb and see if it helps?
Citizen Rider
1/2 ton status
Have you adjusted the mixture? Like a carb, you got to adjust it to run right.
is everything mounted properly?
You give no details as to what you have done to try and solve this and what the problems are other than "no power". People here could give you a broad band of what your problems could be, but without details...its not going to help.
is everything mounted properly?
You give no details as to what you have done to try and solve this and what the problems are other than "no power". People here could give you a broad band of what your problems could be, but without details...its not going to help.
Everything is mounted properly. I have not tuned the mixer yet because I'm really not sure how to do it yet. Im sure its simple but I didnt want to mess anything up.
Other than my engine being a complete dog I only have one other problem: my truck doesn’t want to shift. I'm sure this is just a vacuum problem because the vacuum source changed with the new mixer.
Also I know that you can lose power when switching to propane but I got the 450 mixer which is supposed to flow more than the 425.
Other than my engine being a complete dog I only have one other problem: my truck doesn’t want to shift. I'm sure this is just a vacuum problem because the vacuum source changed with the new mixer.
Also I know that you can lose power when switching to propane but I got the 450 mixer which is supposed to flow more than the 425.
74 chev
1/2 ton status
new mixer or old?
dual fuel or straight porpane?
dual fuel or straight porpane?
MattK
1/2 ton status
74 chev said:
brand new mixer, straight propane.
sled_dog
1 ton status
what regulator are you using? You can't use a Impco regulator/vaporizer with a X450 mixer. The 425 and 450 use two different styles of fueling, though I can't remember what the differences are.
Going to a 450 mixer won't gain you the power back that you are going to lose. Propane has less BTUs as it is, there is just less energy potential there.
Going to a 450 mixer won't gain you the power back that you are going to lose. Propane has less BTUs as it is, there is just less energy potential there.
85mudblazin
1/2 ton status
You arnt going to notice the power difference when switching to propane. As for the 450 mixer, the only time that it is going to shine over a 425 is in the higher RPM ranges. With a truck I doubt you are going over 4-5K.sled_dog said:
Disciples Performance
1/2 ton status
i run propane on my 400SBC and to tell u the truth its really hard to tune them, so im sending mine to a shop 75$, and they time then engine and tune the mixer for me and itll run perfect everytime. the timing should be 12 deg adv Mech and at 3000 RPM 32 Deg Adv Mech. if that helps u a bit
sled_dog
1 ton status
You can't give a static "timing should be" for every engine with propane. Compression, ignition system, and a few other factors will play into what will work best.Disciples Performance said:
Just as you can't say "all 350s running on 87 octane should run 4* BTDC"
Disciples Performance
1/2 ton status
that was just what i was told to run on my 400 from the guys that tune these things all day long so i just thought id say what i did and see if it helps i mean u can always change your timing around
AussieK5
1/2 ton status
32 deg total is a litttle on the high side for my likes, I've always run 28-30 total by no later than 2500. If you tow or romp it hard you could run into trouble with any more. Thats 10 initial at the crank and 9 at the dizzy. Its worked for every SBC combo I ever run over the last decade or so. Its safe and recomended by more than one reference text.
That said, any timing setting for gas will let a propane engine idle and run relatively smoothly...you just dont belt the piss out of it.
Unless your stuffing up the timing when you set it I'd be looking elsewhere for your problem. If your going to run propane drop a few bucks on amazon for a good reference text and save yourself a load heartache.
That said, any timing setting for gas will let a propane engine idle and run relatively smoothly...you just dont belt the piss out of it.
Unless your stuffing up the timing when you set it I'd be looking elsewhere for your problem. If your going to run propane drop a few bucks on amazon for a good reference text and save yourself a load heartache.
