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Who's got propane

SCOOBYDANNN

SCOOBYDANNN

1/2 ton status
Joined
Sep 4, 2001
Posts
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Location
El Paso, TEXAS
What are your opinions on it. My q-jet is fine for some ledges, F-I is too complicated (computer,sensors, me not knowing how to make it run etc...)

saw a couple guys at the Chile Challange using it and did some research. Its used ALL over mexico, its a little over half the price of gas, it's basicaly bolt on, does nothing to the engine except make it last longer and run cleaner.

I don't want any old wives tales of propane, i want people that use it.
 
it would be great on a trail rig, preferably one that doesnt travel too far, as you'll need a huge tank (60 gallons or bigger) to go any appreciable distance. but, you will enjoy the benefit of longer oil life (burns clean), higher octane rating (somewhere around 100 or so), and a smooth running engine. maybe where you are there are more propane filling stations, but around here there arent many.

good luck with the swap if you go ahead with it, and let us know how it works out for you.
 
Works fine on my one ton gas mileage isn't any better for me though. Most dual fuel setups like mine are that way. If you run Propane only it seems to be better. My tank is 100 gallons so I can go a long time without filling up. There are a few who run it on the board.
 
The dude who runs gotpropane.com runs that white Yota all over the AZ rocks and may be one of the rigs you saw at Chile Challenge who runs propane. I have never personally wheeled with him but everything I have ever seen on him says it works very well.

Harley
 
Yea, they were one of the guys i saw in cruses, problem is their kit is $1000. i can get it for a LOT less.
 
E-bay and another $2000 or so and you can have my whole truck. I have heard of people finding them on trucks in the junk yard before.
 
I run it on my '80, have for years. works great. You might be ablt to see the tank in my side pic, 410 Liter tank, 350, 425 Impco mixer, Impco vaporiser and lock-off as well. I used to daily drive this truck, would run about a month on a tank. To and from work, errands, weekend screwing around. You can find the parts around here, just about anywhere. Personally I have extra 3 mixers, and 2 vaporizers. Propane (LPG -liquid petroleum gas) is rated 110 octane.

If I had to switch to something else, I would ONLY go to a turbo diesel off-road.
 
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demon--how much did that tank run you. i think id rather have that type than the 2 forklift tanks

Steve--I ran across a place in Mexico that does it, working on a deal through him.
 
I got this tank for free. But around here you can hit a wrecker for a pickup truck fullsize tank for anywhere between $100-$500CAD depending on size and current shape. Theres lots of them around here different shapes and capacities. Personally I'd never even consider forklift tanks. Mines 110 gallons.
 
Propane is one of the best mods you can do.
Everyone in our little group runs it. it will run PERFECT at ANY angle, believe me we have tested it:D
I have about $250 into the actual propane stuff. Then another 200 in tanks and brackets.
I run 2 43.5lb forklift tanks which hold about 8-9 gallons each.
With propane you need 1 wire and 1 vaccum hose, thats it, its SUPER simple to hook up.
We have a writeup on the site in my sig but you have to joint to see it, its free to join though.
http://www.austink5.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=712
 
85mudblazin said:
Propane is one of the best mods you can do.
Everyone in our little group runs it. it will run PERFECT at ANY angle, believe me we have tested it:D
I have about $250 into the actual propane stuff. Then another 200 in tanks and brackets.
I run 2 43.5lb forklift tanks which hold about 8-9 gallons each.
With propane you need 1 wire and 1 vaccum hose, thats it, its SUPER simple to hook up.
We have a writeup on the site in my sig but you have to joint to see it, its free to join though.
http://www.austink5.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=712
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mudblazin-right now i am debating the BIG back of the truck tanks or two little one like you--how long will those tanks last you and since you are fairly close to me how mush is a "gallon" of propane going for.

ps. i registered to your site but it hasn't sent me an email back.
 
I paid $1.60 a gal last week for it here, my one ton gets 6 miles to the gallon on propane and 6 miles on gas
 
SCOOBYDANNN said:
mudblazin-right now i am debating the BIG back of the truck tanks or two little one like you--how long will those tanks last you and since you are fairly close to me how mush is a "gallon" of propane going for.

ps. i registered to your site but it hasn't sent me an email back.
Click to expand...
The 2 tanks will last me a full 3 days of hard wheelin, I get about the same MPG as with gas.
As for the price I payed about $20 to fill each of my tanks. That was high for what is normal I just didnt have time to shop around. Next time ill shop around and find under $2 a gallon. The place I went to just charged by how big your tank was. Example my tanks are 43.5lber's and they charged me for a 40lb tank since 43.5 is a odd ball size.
 
Propane sounds great. I have been thinking about it for about 2 years now. The only thing holding me back is where to find fill stations. Here in az. I know of a couple but when I move to tn. I'm not sure of any.
 
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
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From this thread
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=135905

Jas
 
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