Can a duraspark ignition module be modified to work with propane? I am considering a conversion on a 78 with 351M. I am looking for the correct ignition control.

 

a friend of mine has a bus with FE motor, dual fuel. I don't know what ignition was used on it, but it had the propane on it. I may have to try to get a look at it sometime if noone else has an answer for you.

 

any help is appriciated

 

Cummins makes a version of it's 'B' series diesels converted to run on either CNG or LPG, and they both use Ford ignition modules. We have an old chevy 305 on a stand that was converted to propane, and it uses a stock distributor and ignition. Bi-fuel vehicles use one ignition, I don't see why you couldn't use the duraspark as is. Maybe you might widen the plug gap a bit, but I don't think you even need to do that.

Why do you want to convert anyway?

 

One answer to the reason why is, because I want to try it. My truck is a toy for me. I hope to someday use the truck as a camper truck, but for now it is a toy I play with out at the family farm. Another reason, I would like clean up the emmision on the truck. I know I could do this with some improvements to the gasser engine, but I think it would be more costly to do so. Propane burns cleaner. I had hoped that fuel cost would be less, but have found that fuel will be about the same. I may save on some of the wear and tear on the engine with the cleaner burning fuel. For the tractor and the jeep out on the farm, when they get converted, I will be able to buy fuel without paying the state motor fuel tax, because those vehicles are not considered road use vehicles, so I will save some fuel costs. Ultimatly, the USA will need to move away from imported fuels. CNG and eventually compressed methane from organic, homegrown stocks could power our vehicles - Propane will be the first step in gasseous fuels. Am I on a soapbox, sure feels that way.....

Anyway, thank for the info about the duraspark ignition module. I have not messed with mine to adjust the timing. Something I will need to do for the conversion.

 

I agree with what you say about a need to get away from foriegn oil. I think just this week Shell Oil opened a hydrogen filling station in Washington D.C. to fill some govt hydrogen vehicles. What I would like to see more of is places to fill with E85 and Biodiesel. Here where I live they are going to build ohio's first of something like 6 ethanol plants, we have one place in the state that E85 can be bought, which sucks! Most of the Biodiesel made in this country is shipped to Europe, why aren't we using it?
I have been considering buying a VW with a diesel, and put propane injection on it for fun, but haven't been able to find really anything about doing it, mostly just trucks.
Oh well have fun, good luck!

 

What really irks me is that I can get Biodiesel right here in my local area, but the ****** put the dye in it!!!! I can't run it on the highway legally, so what's the point?

 

When was the last time someone looked in your fuel tank?

 

it does happen, there are those around the area that have been tested and subsequentially busted for it...

 

Were they corporate drivers? Where was the reasonable cause? What, do they just pull you over for a random check?

 

local farmers, leaving the sale barn. On occasion, they can spot check if they feel the need to be a pain.

 

I'm in college right now and some guys from Indiana and Pa have told me they have been pulled over for a check.

 

Guess how they make hydrogen? cracking it from petroleum, so there's no difference between that and gasoline in terms of relying on foreign oil...

Good luck with the propane! I don't think you need to do anything to the ignition except timing for burning propane, but I could be wrong ...

 

[QUOTE=krewat]Guess how they make hydrogen? cracking it from petroleum, so there's no difference between that and gasoline in terms of relying on foreign oil...

That's why I think the fuelcells are a loke, it won't help anything, until they can get hydrolysis to work, and then water will get to be a premium, but it's a lot easier to reform, and that would be cool, split it to recombine it, never ending circle.

 

Outside of big rig truck stops checking big rigs for dye on full service fuelups,I have never seen or been told of someone in a pickup truck being checked for dye.

Is there anyone out there in a pickup that has been checked?