PROPANE CONVERSION

[Zeked]

With gas heading back to $4 and propane in Central Oregon stuck at $2 is there
anything wrong with going for a "dual Fuel" setup?   Will a TBI 5.7 in an '87
short Step 2X handle Propane?


Thanks
Zeke

[Irish_Alley]

i think trucks on power block did a show on this but I'm thinking it was for a newer ford truck. but will it hold up yes I've seen a mud truck running on propane

[Laderhosen]

My truck runs on propane (or LPG), and it's on a carb set up. The power difference between running on gasoline or LPG is really noticable. It's like driving two different trucks. I don't know if thats to do with my conversion kit or because they're all like that.

I have been thinking recently about getting a newer TBI Blazer. I asked an LPG conversion company about it, and they said that single point injection systems are only about as good as a carb system. I've been now toying with the idea of getting a 6.2 Diesel and running it on vegetable oil..... (I'd just miss the noise of a proper gas V8....  )

One thing I would say is, if you do get a conversion, make sure you get a big enough tank. There's no point getting it done if you can't go on any long journeys....

See pics of my set up here http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=10079.0

[Laderhosen]

by the way, the difference between LPG and gasoline is that LPG is a lot worse and down on power as it's a lesser fuel.

[4x4orbust]

i hae read elsewhere that if you do run on propane,  you should have a certain compression ratio or higher.   i do not remember what that ratio is though.  if the compression is down, the propane doesn't burn right, thus not producing proper power.

[aussie]

you can run TBI on LPG and gasoline with little power loss find a decent LPG installer
over in Australia there got LPG cars and trucks running slick its very common over there !!!!

[zieg85]

I'd research it out.  Yes it is $2/gallon but how about the road tax that will be added.

[choptop]

I ran propane on my 83 Crewcab, and it had run propane all its life. Whoever set it up did an amazing job. It ran better on propane than gas (gas was just used to warm it up) and got the same mileage on propane as it did gas (10mpg) but having said that, I know others who were less fortunate. A friend of mine got 12 on propane, and 17 on gas, plus we had a $130 tax permit plus tank inspections every couple of years. I also foung out the hard way that the propane for my truck cost more than the propane for my house because it was "motor fuel" Whatever! I know better