Pane or gas for a BB 460? Desperate for Opinions...

6BangBronk

6BangBronk

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2005
Location
Durham
I'm lost and need direction. I'm trying to figure out if my plans for a 460 on my rig will work with pane. I purchased a Impco 425 mixer and regulator but have researched that the CFM is around 450 max. That ain't going to cut a 460 appetite without starving itself and not ever running right under any mixture? Is dual propane mixers even a logical option? Or should I just consider gasoline. I'm finding that 750 cfm is perfect for a 460. Anyone ever heard of dual mixers? Or should I just stick a carb on there and be done with it? If I go dual pane, should I use 2 smaller mixers to yield around 700-750 cfm?
Anyways I have already prepared for the 105 octane by putting flat forged pistons in and had plans for replacing valves with ss and have already recurved the dist. And yielding around 11.5:1 compression with my heads shaved. But I do have another set of heads to lower the compression if I decide to go with gas.
Rig is a 76 F-250, D60/14 w/ 5.13's no bed but full cage - estimating around 3,500 lbs worth. I would consider a 351W I'm building but I don't think it would be nearly as capable for a full size rig as the 460? Haven't bought tires yet. Would probably go 37 or 39's if I go with the 351W. 39 or 42's with the 460.
Any input? Alot of time and money at risk to turn back now!
 
That's a 5500# truck, easy. Don't be surprised if it's 6k-6500 trimmed out.

You're kinda in the middle of things, so it makes the decision a bit more personal... you've gotta consider how much cash you've got in the heads and pistons, etc vs what it would take to get the right mixer. My personal preference is toward gasoline.
 
Can you run a 425 mixer, yes. Will you have access to all the power the engine is capable of, no. It will take longer to accelerate. More noticeable on the road. If you plan on turning the motor up on the trail like say Bigwoodie or Tempoffroad, then you won;t like it. If you drive like me( more reserve(OK, like an old man)) then you would be fine. But since you are wanting the 460 to begin with, I'd say the 700cfm mixer is a good choice.
 
I'm building this rig to have some fun in. I got my Bronco for putting around. According to some of these muddy trail pic's I've seen lately, I think the 700 cfm with Pane would be alot more fun.
Geez, I need to take the time and get signed up on here to show pics of my yard art.:lol: Kinda like throwing another bundle of bills on the fire. Progress is hard to see right now.

:wheel:
 
How much gas do you burn in a day? I think propane is a decent solution for the guys that spend a lot of time at places like Uwharrie or whatever, where you're only a couple of miles from camp... but I'm used to burning better than 25 gallons of gasoline per day. That would be four 33# propane tanks.
 
saf-t scissors said:
How much gas do you burn in a day? I think propane is a decent solution for the guys that spend a lot of time at places like Uwharrie or whatever, where you're only a couple of miles from camp... but I'm used to burning better than 25 gallons of gasoline per day. That would be four 33# propane tanks.
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True. Expensive hobby isn't it! Will consider 4 tanks when I fab my tank rack. But there's just entirely no sport at gunning it to make it up a rock with a sputtering carb. That gets old every time I go wheeling. I want to be able to manuver up a steep incline and be able to remember it. Woulld be just drastically so much more interesting than just pointing and shooting wide open. The Avenger / Thunder carbs just don't impress me either. EFI is entirely too complicated but an excellent option for someone who knows all that stuff, what 8 different elements in the system? Way too many elements to diagnose. And the benifits of pane are pretty darn good all the way around. How can I go wrong besides having to buy expensive pane tanks out the ying yang. I'd say 4 would do me a whole day easily with 1 spare at camp just in case. I'd say with going with pane and a big block might set me back an extra 700-800 dollars compared to gas. But I'm half there now.
Paid my dues waiting on a diamond to post pic's.
 
Jeremy, ya got your diamond.
As far as usage, it's all in how ya drive. You can keep your foot in it and not remember any of the trail, but I still doubt you will use that much. I have a AMC 360 on pane. I have a friend with a 350 on pane. Another friend with a built 400 sbc on pane, and his wife 4x4girl on this board has a 351w on pane. I have seen us all change tanks within 10-15 mins of each other. We all carry two tanks. None of us have ever ran out both tanks while out on the trail. Last week we stayed at the Dixie Run Camp Ground, down past Crawford's. I took 8 tanks, had 3 filled while there, come home with 2 full ones. Would have had more partial ones, but I was using the Jeep as a generator to recharge batteries on My Van as camp. I wheeled all day for 5 days.I used to fill up on the before going on the trial, and carry an extra 5 gallons of gas, so, I use less gallons of pane than I did gas.
As far as cost, shop around. I have bought full aluminum tanks at the flea market for $25 each, and some times cheaper. I was just given a bunch of them, and I turned around and give them to two good friends. So, if you impulse buy you will pay, if you shop around, you will save.
 
saf-t scissors said:
How much gas do you burn in a day? I think propane is a decent solution for the guys that spend a lot of time at places like Uwharrie or whatever, where you're only a couple of miles from camp... but I'm used to burning better than 25 gallons of gasoline per day. That would be four 33# propane tanks.
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We don't really have trails like that in this time zone, at least that I'm aware of. Either that, or your stuff runs like shit.
 
saf-t scissors said:
How much gas do you burn in a day? I think propane is a decent solution for the guys that spend a lot of time at places like Uwharrie or whatever, where you're only a couple of miles from camp... but I'm used to burning better than 25 gallons of gasoline per day. That would be four 33# propane tanks.
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Also, the fork lift tanks are about 8 gallons, so that would be closer to 3 tanks.

I ran all the trails at URE and used one tank. Starting and ending at the group camp
 
Thanks for all the input guys. I knew I'd get some answers weather I liked them or not on here.:flipoff2: :lol: Ya'll've been a great help actually.
I'm leaning towards the pane. My motor is almost set up for it now and a good carb is going to cost me $400+ whichever way I go. Or spend massive amounts of time tuning carb's for inclines in which I ain't got.
As for fuel consumption, to move a full size especially under stop and go conditions, a big block will get better milage and the need for RPM's are less due to more low end grunt. And now after giving more thought, the 425 mixer would probably get the job done. I at least need to try it before spending $500 more right now. I can swap mixers later if I'm unsatisfied and change very little else. With a 460, I would rarely see 5,000 on the tach anyways and wouldn't need all that carburation.
I just wasn't all into dual mixers and hated to see a long road come to a dead end being the main reason I started this thread before finding the 700.
And the 351W might find it's way in there before all is said and done. I've got C6's for both setups. I just need to get the thing out there and start altering from there.
 
I think Saf-t was factoring in the reduced mileage running 'pane, but it's moot.

6Bang - great idea.. get it running, then see if anything needs more. :thumbsup:
 
sorry to hijack but ive got a full propane tank thats about 4 1/2 ft tall and like 20in. wide, can any of you use it? i dunno how much to ask for it, anyone know what a tank this size goes for?
 
Rich said:
I think Saf-t was factoring in the reduced mileage running 'pane, but it's moot.
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No, it's 3rd grade math... if I burn 25 gallons a day, and a tank holds 8 gallons, how many tanks do I need?

The answer definitely isn't three, unless you're planning on pushing.
 
Take me somewhere within 5 hours from here where I'll burn 25 gallons trail riding. Oh yeah, you never go to any of those places...:flipoff2:
I've got a 12 gallon tank and have yet to come close to running out of fuel trail riding anywhere around here, you should go sometime.
 
86m1008beater said:
sorry to hijack but ive got a full propane tank thats about 4 1/2 ft tall and like 20in. wide, can any of you use it? i dunno how much to ask for it, anyone know what a tank this size goes for?
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That would bees a metal propane tank usually used for something like gas logs or something stationary of the such. More than likely about 120# or a little more? I think Harbor Freight sells them for $60. I have one that size on my gas logs. Runs them for about 3 years recreationally (not primary source of heat) before having to refill. I have no need for another but thanks anyways.
 
Yo,
You can set it up for E85 but once the carburetor is rejetted, you can't
go back to pump gasoline. The ethanol will give you the octane you need but with so few stations selling E85 you will need to carry a couple of 5 gal gas cans with E85 or have a second tank. I have been mixing E85 and regular gas for awhile now, to the tune of E20 - E30, and it runs much better with the higher octane, keeps all fuel parts clean and the exhaust smells cleaner. No check engine lights and no component failures and I don't expect any. Every drop of corn liquor I burn is one less GD drop of Ahab's oil I don't consume. Ahab can KMA!

Sounds straight forward to do the dual pane units unless there is a synchronization issue. if so, that pane may become a pain!

I don't recall if this is a DD project or off road setup. Anyway, I would
go the pane path if its an off roader motor. If DD, better consider finding fuel quite often for that gorilla motor.

:beer: :popcorn: :beer:
 
BIGWOODY said:
I've got a 12 gallon tank and have yet to come close to running out of fuel trail riding anywhere around here, you should go sometime.
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I wish I could... burned all of my vacation going to California. :flipoff2:
 
BIGWOODY said:
I've got a 12 gallon tank and have yet to come close to running out of fuel trail riding anywhere around here, you should go sometime.
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*Cough* DPG *cough* you in the MJ *cough* Thad last time *cough*

Just messing with ya.. There's nowhere that 12 gallons wouldn't be enough, providing there was 12 gallons IN THE TANK at the beginning of the day.. :flipoff2:
 
BIGWOODY said:
so you work every weekend 24 hours a day?
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Heh... nah, but I'm pretty well booked up now through Jan 1 with "other" obligations... and the truck is broken anyway.

It's a sad state of affairs, I tell ya. :lol:
 
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