Propane 'Un'-Conversion
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 3
From: Billings MT
Propane 'Un'-Conversion
Ok, I know this is probably out there somewhere, but my truck WAS set up to run propane some time in the past. It wasn't when I bought it. The thing is, I don't know what all was 'Un'-converted back to gas or if it was a dual fuel setup.
My question is, is there anyway I can tell if it is all back to gasoline? I don't have and codes or driveability issues and I have put over 20000 miles on it since I bought it. I just want to see if I can find out how to see if it is all back to original.
I'd hate for the 'un'-conversion to have been done half heartedly and have a problem in the near future because I didn't check something.
Any hints or help is appreciated.
Thanks.
My question is, is there anyway I can tell if it is all back to gasoline? I don't have and codes or driveability issues and I have put over 20000 miles on it since I bought it. I just want to see if I can find out how to see if it is all back to original.
I'd hate for the 'un'-conversion to have been done half heartedly and have a problem in the near future because I didn't check something.
Any hints or help is appreciated.
Thanks.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Propane 'Un'-Conversion
Check to make sure the 'inertia switch' was reconnected. In case you don't know....the inertia switch is wired in line with the electric fuel pump to shut down the pump in case of an accident. Sometime this gets overlooked during a reinstall and could be life threating if you get in an accident.
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 3
From: Billings MT
Propane 'Un'-Conversion
The only thing that gave me the clue that it was on propane was a propane line that was left that ran through the bed. I didn't see that until I took the bedliner out.
All the electricals are attached, as in the inertia switch. I don't know if different injectors are used or what with propane versus gasoline. I carry a camper 60% of the time, so setting it back up to propane is pretty useless because I don't have the space.
Thanks for the replies.
Maybe the ole theory of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" might apply becuase I do get 12-13mpg empty with a 460 and 4.10's but the power seems to lack a little bit. It may be me because I don't like to wind out motors and the fan on this thing sounds like a hurricane and I don't have a tach installed yet.
Again, thanks for the replies.
All the electricals are attached, as in the inertia switch. I don't know if different injectors are used or what with propane versus gasoline. I carry a camper 60% of the time, so setting it back up to propane is pretty useless because I don't have the space.
Thanks for the replies.
Maybe the ole theory of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" might apply becuase I do get 12-13mpg empty with a 460 and 4.10's but the power seems to lack a little bit. It may be me because I don't like to wind out motors and the fan on this thing sounds like a hurricane and I don't have a tach installed yet.
Again, thanks for the replies.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,471
Likes: 3
From: Greenwood In. USA
Propane 'Un'-Conversion
Hey Joe:
When a truck is converted a mixer is added to the air intake a vaporiser is added in the water lines and a fuelock (filter-solinoid) would be tied into power (usally after thr inertia switch) also there may have been some computor support tied in at the coil, first two injectors (to shut them off while on lp) and the tps. Email me if you want and I will give you my 800 # to answer any other questions.
Btw I have converted and owned several LP vehicles over the years and worked in the industry for 27 years
When a truck is converted a mixer is added to the air intake a vaporiser is added in the water lines and a fuelock (filter-solinoid) would be tied into power (usally after thr inertia switch) also there may have been some computor support tied in at the coil, first two injectors (to shut them off while on lp) and the tps. Email me if you want and I will give you my 800 # to answer any other questions.
Btw I have converted and owned several LP vehicles over the years and worked in the industry for 27 years
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Propane 'Un'-Conversion
I was a bit surprised when I first saw this post because I thought propane conversions in the US were almost none existent. My truck was propane when I bought it, but during my (current) rebuild I decided to switch back to gas mainly because I felt propane fuel stations would be difficult to find during my trips south. (I'm in BC, Canada were propane vehicles/fuel stations are relatively easy to find).
Are fuel stations for propane readily available in the US?
Are fuel stations for propane readily available in the US?
Trending Topics
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,471
Likes: 3
From: Greenwood In. USA
Propane 'Un'-Conversion
No I have not because they are such a pain. I converted new vechicles but pretty much stopped in 96. Canada is light years ahead of the US in Propane Fuel infrastructure. The lack of 24hr fueling has just about killed the market in the US. There are still a bunch of fleets but its not fesable for the average consumer any more.
Most of the LP dealers do not even run on it because the need Diesel to get the power they need.
Most of the LP dealers do not even run on it because the need Diesel to get the power they need.
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 3
From: Billings MT
Propane 'Un'-Conversion
Thanks all that have replied with information. I know some of the parts you are talking about because we have several forklifts that are propane at work. So, I know about the mixer and stuff.
What kind of concerned me was the injectors.
The US is almost impossible to run LP, unless you carry enough to go 1000 miles at a time. I am pretty sure that this truck was a farm truck to begin it's life, and LP is common on farm trucks around here because as you get more rural, the LP stations become a little more accessible. But they are only open like 8 to 5 Monday through Friday. I don't know how you guys up there are set up, but very few gasoline stations have LP tanks, and most won't fill a truck tank because they can't weigh it. You have to go to a commercial LP dealer that fills RV's and stuff. They will fill the tank on trucks. Not many of those in the cities. We use LP for heating, but we also live in the country.
What kind of concerned me was the injectors.
The US is almost impossible to run LP, unless you carry enough to go 1000 miles at a time. I am pretty sure that this truck was a farm truck to begin it's life, and LP is common on farm trucks around here because as you get more rural, the LP stations become a little more accessible. But they are only open like 8 to 5 Monday through Friday. I don't know how you guys up there are set up, but very few gasoline stations have LP tanks, and most won't fill a truck tank because they can't weigh it. You have to go to a commercial LP dealer that fills RV's and stuff. They will fill the tank on trucks. Not many of those in the cities. We use LP for heating, but we also live in the country.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 12,679
Likes: 15
From: BC, Canada
Propane 'Un'-Conversion
On most LPG conversions the injectors arent touched. They are just shut off when running on propane.
We do have quite a few vehicles around here on LPG and lots on CNG. The gov't fleet in town here has about 20 trucks on either. It is a newer system that actually injects the alternate fuel into a ring around the gasoline injector. They run very well. You cant really tell any difference when you're on gasoline or not.
We do have quite a few vehicles around here on LPG and lots on CNG. The gov't fleet in town here has about 20 trucks on either. It is a newer system that actually injects the alternate fuel into a ring around the gasoline injector. They run very well. You cant really tell any difference when you're on gasoline or not.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
Propane 'Un'-Conversion
I have a question (out of curiosity).
When I used to work for the city of Surrey about 10yrs ago, they outfitted all the trucks with CNG. When it came time for the emissions test they had to be run on gas because they would fail on CNG. The same thing with propane. It's much more difficult to get a propane vehicle to pass than one on gas.
I thought both these fuels were supposed to be cleaner???
Anybody have more info on this?
When I used to work for the city of Surrey about 10yrs ago, they outfitted all the trucks with CNG. When it came time for the emissions test they had to be run on gas because they would fail on CNG. The same thing with propane. It's much more difficult to get a propane vehicle to pass than one on gas.
I thought both these fuels were supposed to be cleaner???
Anybody have more info on this?
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,471
Likes: 3
From: Greenwood In. USA
Propane 'Un'-Conversion
If its properly maintained it should pass with flying colors.
The problem you run into is on a dual fuel vehicle unless you have add on computer support the engine thinks like gasoline and stinks like gasoline.
The problem you run into is on a dual fuel vehicle unless you have add on computer support the engine thinks like gasoline and stinks like gasoline.
Thread Starter
|
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,297
Likes: 3
From: Billings MT
Propane 'Un'-Conversion
Propane and electric forklifts are the only ones allowed by OSHA to operate in closed areas, as in a building. That's due to the low emissions.
In New Mexico, propane vehicles used to be exempt from emissions. Of course, we don't have statewide emissions anyway. I don't know if they still are, but they used to be.
In New Mexico, propane vehicles used to be exempt from emissions. Of course, we don't have statewide emissions anyway. I don't know if they still are, but they used to be.