Propane Power

[rsmith]

I was just going to let anyone intersted in knowing that I just finished converting my EB over to porpane. It was absolutely one of the easiest conversions that I have ever done. The hardest part was modifying my roll cage to mount the 41 gallon tank, everything else was simply drilling holes to mount things and hook the hoses up. The system that I chose was an Impco 425 system out of a mid 90's school bus.

The exact system I have has been documented on a page listed here:

www.patooyee.com/propane/propane_2.htm

The reason that I went to propane was that I have been having so much trouble out of carbs. Last time I went wheeling in B'ham I turned over on my side and think it may could have been avoided had my carb not been stalling out on me. It is also aggravating trying to keep your motor running during some extreme inclines - that kinda takes the fun out of it.

Here are some pros and cons that I have discovered from my experience.

Pros:
1. Dirt cheap hardware - I traded a fuel cell for the whole system including hoses and tank.
2. Can practically feed your motor with fuel while running upside down.
3. The system is completely sealed with the exception of the breather intake - meaning that I could make a submarine out of it to a certain point. Propane will leak out before water leaks in.
4. Eliminates a lot of things that could go bad - ex. fuel pump, carb with needle, float etc.
5. Easy to install
6. $1.15 a gallon

Cons:
1. Fuel availablity - can't just pull up to a gas station and filler up. However, all I have to do is call Scott petroleum and they will come out and fill it up whenever I want or I can go by there. Talking about full service. If you are on a trip you will have to plan fuel stops ahead of time.
2. Tanks are bigger and heavier than gasoline tanks. My 41 gal. weighs at least 175 lbs. empty.
3. Got a slight loss of power from 0 - 3000 RPM. After 3000 hold on Propane is rated at 19,000 BTU - Gasoline 22,000 BTU so I have read. However, the octane rating is 93.
If a hose breaks free and swipes across your arm at full flow and close range it could freeze it so quick and fast that 3rd degree burns could result.

I would recommend this setup to anyone who has a trail designated rig that is running a carb with incline troubles. I can't wait to take on a trip to try it out real good

I will try to add pictures when I get a chance.

Rob

[Busted Knuckle Racing]

Hey, bring it out to ridge lakes on sunday.... There is a hill or two to try it out on....

[Busted Knuckle Racing]

Oh Yeah,

[possum398]

I have a friend back home that has a propane kit on his Z71. His system can run on gas or propane. All he has to do is flip a switch to change between fuels. Have you heard of any of these systems?

[rsmith]

We used to have a farm truck set up like that and that certainly would be the way to go. As a matter of fact, a guy that works at Scott Petroleum in Starkville has a few used bi-fuel setups available. The only thing is that you add a lot more weight with two fuel tanks. I think on a modern computer controlled vehicles you will have to do a little adusting in the emmissions area.

[mississippi_xj]

I am really wanting to do this on an amigo with the chevy v6 and full with chevy axles....

[rsmith]

I highly recommend it and it is easy to do. I just went on my second trip since I set it up and as far as the propane - it is the ticket on extreme inclines. It behaves just like fuel injection.