gas vs propane?

THEBEAST

THEBEAST

Active Member
Joined
Feb 12, 2010
Location
Trinity
I'm running a bbc. Thinking of going to propane in hopes to fix my problem. Here goes. I'm on the trails and it runs good for a while but then it starts acting like its not getting fuel. Mainly when going up hills. Ive got a 670 truck advenger carb on it now. Any suggestion as to what set up I need? Any would be greatly appreciated.
 
Thanks! I think I will try the propane. Do u run a forklift tank? If so how long does it run b4 empty?
 
THEBEAST said:
Thanks! I think I will try the propane. Do u run a forklift tank? If so how long does it run b4 empty?
Click to expand...

Go propane and advance your timing some.

I run forklift tanks. I run all day on one tank but carry two just in case.

Get the kit from eBay. Its the same as got propane but cheaper.
 
fuel usage will depend on how healthy your motor is, and how much you like the throttle, and how much you have your timing advanced.....been through this with different motor combinations and been successful with most but like GubNi said...take an extra tank and buy off ebay
 
I looked on ebay last night. The kits I looked at where 500.00 or more it came with everything minus tanks. I have found a used setup minus hose (4.25 a foot) and tanks for 375.00. The system has been tested and works fine. What do u guys think, new or used?
 
Check with 4X4girl on this board, he sells kits. I used a used system and never had any issue. Buy use tanks, new ones are outrageous. Typically you can get the aluminum one(desired) for 50-75 each
 
Thanks guys! 4x4girl is who I had checked with. I think I will get in contact with him. Maybe he will have a couple of tanks laying around too! Thanks for everyones input.
 
I ran the propane set up on two Sami's that I had. Great results and no problems with any thing besides getting the timing right after I went back to gas. I only switched back to sell the Sami and sell the kits to a friend. All in all I agree with the others; propane over fuel injection for initial price and results. Additionally the propane burns really clean and you will notice that in your oil as well as quiet smoke free running engine. That's was my results two separate occasions.
Hope this helps some
 
Check out helmarparts.com. they can sell you everything you need very reasonable minus the throttle plate. What are you going to run this on. If it's a v8 I can give you every part number you need if I can find my list. Seems like the last one I help set up we had around 500 bucks in it including two tank mounts. Everything was new.
 
Thanks guys! I getting to put this on a chevy 454 with 670 truck advenger carb. About 3 or 4k on rebuild and two trail rides on the carb.
 
ON mine:
Timing, advance till it sputtered, back it off till it didn't. Turn in off, crank it to see if it cranks, increase a little more, small turn like 1/8" and crank. tighten the bolt and never ever touched it again.
One tank lasted a whole day just about everywhere. Occasionally had to switch over. but not often.
Had both tanks plumbed in, that way when I had to switch, I just turned one tank off(the one I was running) and turn the other one on. Quick and simple
Will run at any angle, so be prepared to turn off engine in case of a flop.
Use a Holley base plate, and or an adapter from auto zone or advance to make it fit your intake if you have a spread bore.
Depends on your set up if you can use the tank straps or not, might have to make your own, no biggie.
Only down side is filling tanks. Find the cheapest place. Get enough tanks to take with you, most places don't fill on a Sat or Sun.
Enjoy
 
Do any of you fellas run propane on the road? was thinkin bout puttin it on my k5 to possible keep the engine running longer and cleaner...
 
biggest issues running it in a DD are:
Supply of propane. Not a lot of places to get tanks filled out away from home.
Places that do fill, usually won't fill into a vehicle because there are no road taxes paid on the fuel
You will fine that it is somewhat under powered, that may or may not be an issue for you
Also, being a stock engine(if it is) the constant running and time built up using it that way, will have a bad effect on your heads, mainly the exhaust valves. Standard valves don't hold up well. To combat that issue you need hardened seats, which it most likely has, and stainless valves.
 
I see i didnt know it had an affect on the valves... Do you know if they have setups like on yota forklifts that accept fuel and pane its going on sbc 350 so i can use pane offroad and fuel on road? thanks for help!
 
yes they do. I have not known anyone personally that has use this type system. It is easy enough to configure thought I would think. Utilizing a electric lock off for the pane, and a electric fuel(gas)pump, with an on and off switch. The draw back here that I see is that you need two different timing set ups to run each. I suppose a person could change it manually as needed. Not sure if there is something out there to tune the timing on this type set up from in cab so to speak.
The dual fuel set ups I have seen on line, basically has an adapter that attachés the propane mixer to the top of the carb, so either can be used.
Maybe not much help there, but, is all I know
 
Actually that would prolly work i wouldnt mind having to manually turn it to pane from gas im not to lazy yet... thanks man you helped out a bunch gonna check out what i can find for the ole chebby
 
Yeah thats why i was lookin into gas and pane so hopefully i wont be that guy...lol i figured i could put two tanks in the ole beast and if had gas too i should be ok well see what i can find thanks fellas
 
there is NO way i can run a 33lb tank all day, and gotpropanes claim that it supports 420hp is bs 450cfm runs out quickly, but thats the only bad i have to say about it. dont stink like a forklift either, i was surprised with that...
 
I get seven hours out of a 33 lb. tank. That consists of wheeling and some idle time. I'm running it on an AMC 360.

As far as valve seats from what I know and have heard all reasonably modern engines have hardened seats. Like from the 70's up.
 
Do any of you fellas know which setup bolts into the Qjet 4b carb?? and if i run pane offroad am i gonna need to do something about the power diff ill get instead of gas or is it that noticable enough to worry about...?
 
you have 2 choices on adapters. they make a adapter to connect quad to impco 425 if you can find one, which I may have. or put a alum. adapter on intake and convert to a holley pattern since a holley baseplate fits straight to a impco 425. I have 2 used kits if you need one.
 
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