anyone have a truck propane converted, or know about the cost and hassle to do it?

John Floyd
South Mills,NC
'86 F150 2wd 300 6
Crane Cam 260/272
stock manifolds, w/ staight pipe

 

I would like to know how to do a propane conversion
but I would not know where to start. please if any
one knows how let us know

 

I just read an article last week on that conversion.
go to www.pirate4x4.com and look under the tech topics

 

These conversions look pretty interesting, and that Pirate4X4 site has lots of info., but does anyone know if fuel injected engines can be converted? Also, what about power, mpg., etc.? I have an F250 4X4 plus cab with a camper. If I were to do this conversion, where would be the best place to mount the tank? Any input from fellow Ford nutz would be welcome. Thanks!

 

I got interested in that last week, and called up the Guru, none other than Ak Miller, famous for his big-horsepower turbopropane engines, and asked him about adapting fuel injection to propane.

He sounded kinda surprised that I'd asked such a stoopid question, and said "you don't. You don't need injection anymore, you use a mixer and a regulator."

Which means you get to get rid of every bit of the smog crap, substitute a carburetor manifold, certify your vehicle as an alternative-fuel vehicle, and pay $2.38/gallon 95-100 octane propane.

Ed

 

There's a couple people on the email list running propane, at least one on EFI. As for power and mileage, I've heard both actually go down a very small amount, but I don't think it's enough to even make a difference.

 

I've been running propane for 9 years now. When I first converted my 86 F150 302... it was the best thing since sliced bread. A big 250 liter (65 gallon) tank would cost $35.00 cnd ($25.00 us) to fill and take me over 1000 kilometers (600 miles).

Those were the good old days... since then, propane has quadrupled in price. It has doubled since I converted my '95 F250 4X4 460 in August of '99 a few months after buying it. Since I only get 75% as far for the volume of fuel burned, I have to watch prices. For instance, if I can buy gasoline for $.60/liter, I'd better not pay more than $.45/liter for my propane... or it costs me more to run propane. For most of this winter, the price of propane has been the same as gasoline or very close to it. So, I've been running gasoline... because, it is less costly per mile. My system is dual fuel. A rocker switch on my dash, switches between fuels without even a hic-up.

Fortunately, for me, I installed the system myself, and was able to recover the cost of my parts (about $1800.00 cnd) before the costs really, got too high to run it. But, put about 35,000 kilometers on my truck every year, so, my recovery time is a bit shorter than some.

Now the prices are dropping again, and I hope they come down low enough to make it worth driving again.

I'd be happy to answer any questions.

Perry

 

Years ago I was a millwright/mechanic for a plywood plant. We purchased a new gas Toyota forklift and then converted it to propane...the power definetly went down...I'd say 10-15 percent. Where we could drive up the steep incline to the loading dock with the gas power we had to get a running start with the propane power to do the same thing...obviously we were marginally powered to begin with. Propane has a higher octane rating (around 105) but less BTU's per gallon than gasoline. To utalize the full benefit of propane you need to bump your compression up to 11 or 12:1, of course if your running dual fuels you can't run that high on gasoline. Running alcohol is another alternative that will actually increase your H.P. about 7 percent and has an octane rating around 108...it's downside is corrosion to your entire stock fuel system and it too has less BTU's per gallon than gasoline requiring you to run 150 percent more alcohol than gasoline to go the same amount of miles.



Deen Hylton
Ford F250 460 C-6, K&N, Headers, Dual Exh.,Comp. Cams,Shift Kit
Pioneer CD w/Bose Speakers.
Other Passion: Blown 77 Corvette (Sorry Guys/Gals)
How I can afford to Drive the above: 93 GEO Metro