My stupid project car just stranded me -- it's an old Lancia Beta that I use for fuel economy when I don't have to haul anything other than myself. The problem is fuel issues, again. I think it needs a fuel pump. I know it needs injectors. So I'm thinking, I wonder if I could replace the injectors with bigger ones, cut the gas lines and run the damn thing off a propane cylinder?

Anybody ever try anything like this? Do you reckon it would work? Or would the computer (it's a Bosch L-Jetronic) just freak out and shut everything down? It's an '81 with a 2-liter motor, basically a FIAT Spider with updated sheet metal and front wheel drive.

Thanks!

--Finn

 

All the propane vehicles I have seen used a carburetor type device at the intake to inject propane into the system. You'll also need something you can hook into the radiator lines to make sure you don't get liquid propane in the system. I don't know about 81's but if you have a computer in the car you will need a chip type device to let the computer know the engine is allowed to run without fuel flowing.

If you want to run off propane look into a vehicle conversion kit that has all the pieces you need.

 

How similar is the engine setup to Fiat units for which there are Weber kits? You might buy the manifolds but avoid expensive Webers buy using alternative carburation.

Pinto and Vega carbs (cheap remanned on Ebay) also referred to as "Holley-Webers" fit many Weber conversion manifolds. I run a salvaged Holley (I'm too cheap to buy remanned) on a 1981 Scirocco by using a Dodge Omni manifold.

The best way to troubleshoot a dying old Bosch system is into the trash.

http://www.scuderiatopolino.com/inla...207%20-069.jpg