Anyone out there familiar with propane conversion for an engine? Or maybe a source of information?
Propane conversion
- Thread starter old guys rule
- Start date
- Local time
- 12:27 AM
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2012
- Messages
- 39,512
- Reaction score
- 145,336
- Location
- Granite Bay CA
Why ? You make less power with propane and spend more money doing it.
OneWheelPeel
Well-Known Member
Uncle Tony had a vid on that today.
We do lots of LPG conversions over here. (Liquid Petroleum Gas)
LPG or Propane is actually popular with the "Rock Crawler" crowd - as when they roll their vehicles, there is no chance of fuel spillage.
LPG or Propane is actually popular with the "Rock Crawler" crowd - as when they roll their vehicles, there is no chance of fuel spillage.
There is nothing wrong with LPG or Propane powered vehicles. They run cleaner and more fuel efficient than gasoline engines, and besides the gas is cheaper to buy. Emissions are also not as harmful or toxic to people.
But hey, F*** yeah ....'Murica!!!
- Local time
- 12:27 AM
- Joined
- Apr 13, 2012
- Messages
- 39,512
- Reaction score
- 145,336
- Location
- Granite Bay CA
The reason that gasoline is till the predominant fuel is because nothing else compares and works as well.
Propane does burn cleaner but to get the same power from a gasoline engine, the compression needs to be a LOT higher and you'll spend more in fuel to get there.
I've seen propane used for indoor forklifts. For that, they are great because of the reduction in emissions.
Propane does burn cleaner but to get the same power from a gasoline engine, the compression needs to be a LOT higher and you'll spend more in fuel to get there.
I've seen propane used for indoor forklifts. For that, they are great because of the reduction in emissions.
- Local time
- 12:27 AM
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2012
- Messages
- 18,960
- Reaction score
- 38,769
- Location
- Surrey, B.C. Canada
Are you wanting to take advantage of the high octane? I remember when Ak Miller used to like propane for his turbocharger kits. Although you'll use more fuel, around here automotive propane is about 3/4 of the price of gasoline so it makes up for it.
Last edited:
Is automotive propane different from what you get at truck rental shops?
I would like to get hold of an essay design or similar on propane conversion. Anyone have one or know where I could find one?
vance.dykes
Well-Known Member
find a fork lift and remove the system and start fabing
Moms68
Well-Known Member
My neighbor went the opposite way. He purchased 2 vans that ran on NG and converted them to gasoline. It was a lot of work and the fuel cylinders were huge and heavy to remove. He got the vans for low $, so it was worth the effort to flip them.
Lefty71
Well-Known Member
Knowing nothing here..... but doesnt propane need very high compression to be effective for power?? Like they use it in diesels, and it's like nitrous for them....for gas engines, not so much.
And the guy who picked up a couple NG vans to flip...i would not be surprised to find out they came from the local natural gas supplier, and it was basically free to them. Propane would cost more as a fuel.
And the guy who picked up a couple NG vans to flip...i would not be surprised to find out they came from the local natural gas supplier, and it was basically free to them. Propane would cost more as a fuel.
- Local time
- 12:27 AM
- Joined
- Mar 14, 2012
- Messages
- 18,960
- Reaction score
- 38,769
- Location
- Surrey, B.C. Canada
The only difference is that it has road taxes, and a different filler compared to a bbq tank.
bobsgtx
Well-Known Member
From my memory from 40+ years ago. Where I worked we had some gas converted to LP refuse trucks. Conversion involved replacing tank and lines. Installing a vaporizer. Replacing carburetor with LP unit. Also had to lock distributor advance and since the engine had valve rotator those were removed since not needed on gaseous engine. Here in the great white north they were a pain in the a$$ to get started in the winter.
Mostly used today on forklifts and vehicles used indoors because of emissions. To make power I would think the same would apply to LP as you need to do for E87 and alcohol fuel.
NG is only compressed not liquid except at very low temps.
Mostly used today on forklifts and vehicles used indoors because of emissions. To make power I would think the same would apply to LP as you need to do for E87 and alcohol fuel.
NG is only compressed not liquid except at very low temps.
I have worked with 2 GM BBC and 2 Cummins 5.9 Diesels. Different pistons for compression, and extra hard exhaust seats for propane.
sam dupont
Well-Known Member
it doesn't pollute the oil like liquids giving 5 times the miles between changes
also, no fuel starvation on steep inclines
We see 60 year old international harvesters running around with original motors because International chose to produce only one type of V8 head. They offered LP only pickups and trucks which required hardened seats because LP is dry. Instead of producing one head for gasoline and one for LP, they made all their heads to run on LP. The national switch to unleaded gas was no problem for the old trucks with their hardened seats and stellite valves even though SUV's weren't required to run on it with the rest of Detroit.
slepr1
Well-Known Member
- Local time
- 3:27 AM
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2014
- Messages
- 2,370
- Reaction score
- 2,782
- Location
- Stoney Creek, Ontario
My 2018 Ram Rebel runs on propane. My previous 2009 GMC Sierra ran on propane. I converted them both. They both run great with no issues, no noticeable decrease in power or fuel consumption. The kits hook up to almost any engine without any mods. My Ram has a 5.7 hemi and the installers told me they work very well on hemi's. Installed with a tank costs around $6500. I chose a tank that fits in the area where my spare tire is, so I only have the spare tire if I put it in the bed of my truck. In the Sierra I had a tank in the bed, took up too much room. Fuel around here costs $1.45L, propane around .85L. My system is made by Prins. They are a good quality European (Dutch I think) system. Propane vehicles use the same propane as bbq's ect. A couple stumbling blocks to convert is 1. Finding a shop that does it and 2. Having a gas station that sells automotive propane. The filling nozzle for auto propane is larger than filling bbq tanks. While road tripping through the US, I found auto propane only at truck stops and some U-Haul's and it costs more than your cheaper gas. I just ran on gas. BTW, they are designed to run on either propane or gas and when propane runs out it switches automatically to gas.
The 'historic' problem with propane conversions is the need for hardened seats. That's a thing of the past now. Todays systems use 90-95% propane and 5-10% gas. The gas acts as a natural coolant which cools the seats. The engine starts on gas and after a few seconds or so it switches to propane. Added benefit is you still use gas, as gas will deteriorate if not used.
The 'historic' problem with propane conversions is the need for hardened seats. That's a thing of the past now. Todays systems use 90-95% propane and 5-10% gas. The gas acts as a natural coolant which cools the seats. The engine starts on gas and after a few seconds or so it switches to propane. Added benefit is you still use gas, as gas will deteriorate if not used.
ornaryal
Well-Known Member
I still have a tow truck with propane in cold winter I give a shot of hi test gas at start up works for me , not either , of course in real cold nites up here we plug that truck in .truck is only used local so no problem getting propane .
Similar threads
