Has anybody converted or heard of anybody converting a 300 ci to propane? If so what is the cost? Is it worth the effort? Is there a kit anywhere?

 

Go to gotpropane.com

 

did you ever find out if you could convert your 300 6 cylinder to propane?
thanks

 

Thanks for the website lead. I went there and found out they have kits but they are for off-roading vehicles. They don't have anything (yet) for my vehicle that would be street legal. We have emission testing here in Tucson so I can't mess with the smog stuff.

 

There are many other companies that do propane conversions. Just search for "propane conversions", and do a lot of reading. You will find one that fits your needs.

 

Will propane do the same on mpg as gas?
thanks

 

back during the early 80's 'gas crisis' I was in HS and did a propane conversion for a lawnmower (dont laugh, I took 3rd at the Buhl science fair!) and there was a lot of interest at the time.

Plus, CA was hideously strict on emissions so a lot of tuners turned to propane as it would pass any sniff test. When alkenes like propane decompose, they break into methane which combust in the presence of platinum so even if you dont burn it in the combustion chamber, the exhaust catalyst finishes the job.

As such, this this why propane is used in confined engines like forklifts and tunnel machines.

anyways, with a 100-110 octane rating you will run like a top, and be tolerant of some severe boost pressures (check out a 1979 Caddy Seville done by Jon Ward circa 1983)

However MPG is tough to ask for. Propane is less dense than what we call gasoline and has less energy content by volume. A better way to measure overall fuel economy would be BTU's/lb. Suffice to say, economy gallon for gallon will be about 70% that of on gas. Does the cost justify it? Locally propane is about $2.80ish a gallon.

All the conversion kits I have seen offer dual fuel capability, it just uses a different jetting - when you get for a carb, you are getting gasoline droplets you must send into an air blast to cause it to 'look' like a gas, propane is already there as a gas.

so ask yourself, where you do have room for the 60 gallon tank? (think of a giant shop compressor on its side)

 

During the early 80's, we tore down a 454 chevy truck engine that had been on propane all its life. The engine had over 200K on it, and still ran good. I don't recall why we pulled the engine out, I think the boss decided to overhaul it due to the high mileage, as preventive maintainance. Anyway, the engine parts were almost as clean as new parts. Almost no "bs" in the pan or anywhere else. I became a believer in propane that day.

 

I just picked up a used 300 that ran on propane. I am going to put that engine in my truck however the propane conversion did not come with the engine. When I had the feller start the engine, it ran like a top, seriously loose carb and all. He runs a 460 on propane and says he gets the same "MPG" on gas and propane. Propane being a lot cheaper and not a significant power loss.

I am really thinking about putting a conversion back on the 300 and running both eventually. I can make room for the tank, but that short bed will fill up quick!

Rich