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propane

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by v8cj5, Feb 25, 2008.

  1. Feb 26, 2008
    4dawudz

    4dawudz Dale

    ADK NORTHERN New...
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    Everybody's talkin' big tanks - little tanks...what size are they... BBQ size, 8 gal., 10gal.???

    Inquiring minds want to know!

    Dale
     
  2. Feb 26, 2008
    v8cj5

    v8cj5 New Member

    southbury ct
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    Aug 21, 2007
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    where are the best places to try to find the parts needed to do this ? i Know that i can get a kit from got propane but it is like $1000 plus the tank. i would like to try to do this for alittle less $$$$
     
  3. Feb 26, 2008
    drexotic

    drexotic Happy now?!?!?

    San Diego
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    Watch EBay . . there's stuff on there all the time. Just be patient (don't bid on anything right away there will be lots of good deals), look for parts that look well cared for and are clean. Get an idea of what thing sell for and what shipping should be then place a few bids (just don't get too auction crazy!).
    Took me a couple of months but I got some good parts for pretty good price.
    I just need shut-off valve and tubing and I'll have all I need . . .
     
  4. Feb 26, 2008
    kaiser715

    kaiser715 Member

    Sanford, NC
    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2006
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    112
    Tank sizes...first, propane weighs about 4.25 lbs per gallon

    A bbq grill tank is 20#, so that's about 4.5 gallons. But a BBQ tank is vapor service...propane systems require liquid fuel to the vaporizer.

    A 33# forklift tank (most common size) holds about 8 gallons.

    A 42.5# (is that the right ##? doesn't sound quite right) forklift tank holds almost 10 gallons.

    I know it's apples and oranges, but I go thru about 1 33# tank per day on the trail. My CJ5 is setup to hold two tanks.

    Automotive tanks come in all different shapes and sizes. Look at the Sleegers http://www.sleegers.on.ca/ or Manchester http://www.mantank.com/ websites.
     
    Last edited: Feb 26, 2008
  5. Feb 27, 2008
    MCSCOTT

    MCSCOTT Member

    Columbia, Tn
    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2006
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    905

    Keep this in mind because not many folks know it. Bbq grill tanks don't have a pickup tube in them, because they run off propane vapor, where the towmotor tanks like we run have a pickup tub to get the liquid. I've seen folks take bbq grill tanks and mount them upside down, which also works, but it's just not something I would do. While on this subject, for those that are deciding to do it, you want to make sure you're valve where your line hooks up is pointing down because the pickup tube inside the tank is bent to where that would be on the bottom. Also, we've found it's best to mount the tank with the valve end of the tank facing the front of the vehicle, so that when your up on a big hill all the fuel is right there at the pickup tube. Some mount the tank with the valve toward the back of the vehicle, but if you're low on fuel and get on a hill, the tube can't pick anything up. The sideways mounted tanks work good as well, but you still have the fact that if you're in a big lean to the wrong side it might quit running. We run the 33# 8gallon tanks and with a mild built 350 SBC you can get a good day of trail riding out of one tank. I'll check and see if my buddy will give me a number for the guy he orders all of our systems from, because he is a heck of alot cheaper than GotPropane. However, the place we get it from we only get the mixer and regulator. We make our own adapter plates, throttle linkages, and gaskets, and then go to our local industrial rubber and gasket shop for the hose and fittings. You can also get the hose and fittings at most of the propane shops.
     
  6. Feb 27, 2008
    kaiser715

    kaiser715 Member

    Sanford, NC
    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2006
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    112
    I mounted my 2 forklift tanks vertically. Most of them, the pickup goes all the way to the bottom before turning "down" (if the tank is laying horizontally). Some older tanks the pickup tube only goes halfway the length of the tank before turning "down".

    Mounted vertically, my tanks do run all the way to empty. Also solved the problem of the siphon tube sucking "air" on left/right or fore/aft tilts.
     
    Last edited: Feb 27, 2008
  7. Feb 27, 2008
    MCSCOTT

    MCSCOTT Member

    Columbia, Tn
    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2006
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    Vertically works most of the time as well, just most of the ones we do we like the tanks laying down inside the tub. Something that maybe one of you guys could answer though, we have a couple in our group that run them vertical, but we've also had some that tried to run them vertical and the tanks would freeze up. Lay the tanks down and they work fine, but stand them up and they freeze up. We've never been able to figure that one out.
    :?
     
  8. Feb 27, 2008
    v8cj5

    v8cj5 New Member

    southbury ct
    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2007
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    MCSCOTT would it be possible for you to give me a list of parts needed if it is not too much trouble. That would be a big help.
     
  9. Feb 27, 2008
    MCSCOTT

    MCSCOTT Member

    Columbia, Tn
    Joined:
    Apr 24, 2006
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    It kinda depends on which setup you go with. Since you're name says V8, then the main question is if you're gonna go with the 425 mixer for a 4bbl setup. That's the one I'm most familiar with, but I can go over whichever one you want. I know you will need your tank adapter, which will have 3/8 pipe threads I think. You go from that into a 3/8xLP hose adapter. Basically the same on the other end, except instead of a tank adapter going into the hose adapter, you have a 3/8 90 that goes into the regulator. I really need to check those sizes this weekend before I tell you for sure though, because it might be 1/2 on the V8's and 3/8 on the 4cyls weve done. Alot of folks pay high $ for a hose to go from the mixer to the regulator, and then mount the regulator on the firewall, but we like to run a 1" NPT street 90 out of the back of the mixer, with a 1" x 2-1/2" npt nipple over to the regulator. You also need a water line going into and out of the regulator, so if your heater is working it's alot easier because you can just splice into one of the lines going to the heater core, but it does need to be somewhere where the coolant can circulate. The mixers are made to bolt onto the bottom plate from a Holley 4bbl carb that isn't a double pumper. You can buy just that plate, or pick one up used from someone since alot of mechanics have old Holleys laying around. You can get the gasket to go between the bottom plate and the mixer from FLAPS. We also run a 1" 4hole spacer under the plate for better low end torque that you can usually find at some of the FLAPS, although AutoZone is the only one in my town that carries them. Other than that, just hook your vacuum lines up that you would normally have, and figure out how to make your throttle linkage work (been different on every rig but we've always been able to make it work). Make sure you play with it so that when the pedal is on the floor the butterflies are wide open, and when it's all the way up it's the way it should be. Once you get it started, pay attention to the regulator to make sure it doesn't freeze up on the outside (if there's a problem somewhere this will let you know first thing)........adjust your idle screw to where you want it, and you're ready to go.

    I'm thinking now that on the V8's it's 3/8" npt because where the 1/2" comes in is on the 4cyl replacing the 1" fittings I listed.

    Sorry......I'm rambling now, but let me know which way you're wanting to go on it.
     
  10. Feb 27, 2008
    kaiser715

    kaiser715 Member

    Sanford, NC
    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2006
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    112
    I wanted them laying down -- totally out of sight...but it seemed to work out best getting them in and out vertically. Not enough width or length in the CJ5 to be able to get a hand in and attach the fuel line, turn the valve on and off, etc was the main thing... That and the standard bottle clamps just would not work, not enough room to swing. I ended up making a hybrid tank holder, the bottom of the tank sits in a frame, and the top of each tank is secured with one clamping loop from a standard set of tank hold-downs.

    I'm fixin' to get a tank cover made from vinyl that will slip over the tops of both tanks and hide them a bit for the few times a year I take it on-road.
     
  11. Feb 28, 2008
    drexotic

    drexotic Happy now?!?!?

    San Diego
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    Can you post a picture?
     
  12. Feb 28, 2008
    kaiser715

    kaiser715 Member

    Sanford, NC
    Joined:
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    I just uploaded a few.

    As you look thru them, you'll see 3 propane components uninstalled, they are the items I put on my 258...the mixer is a CA125 which is really a bit small, but it works fine, and the price was right. The other 2 parts shown are the vaporizer (converts liquid propane to a vapor, hot water circulates thru to keep from freezing), and the throttle plate, which sits under the mixer, and the one I got just happened to bolt directly to my intake w/o having to find or make an adapter.

    I also put up some pics under the hood (green truck, orange 350) of the propane setup on it. Vacuum lockoff and vaporizer are mounted on the DS fender, Impco 425 mixer on the intake.

    http://www.sanlee.com/photo_jeep

    edit: you can't really see it in any of the pics, but look at this one: http://www.sanlee.com/photo_jeep/slides/2007-08-02 006.html The vertical part of the tank frame that the store-bought tank bracket is bolted to goes all the way to the floorpan, and connects with a wide crossbeam, that has tabs that locate and lock in the base of the tank.
     
    Last edited: Feb 28, 2008
  13. Feb 28, 2008
    drexotic

    drexotic Happy now?!?!?

    San Diego
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    Sweet!
    I'd like to keep my back seat but I bet I could do something similar on my bumper. Maybe a tank on either side of my spare?!?
     
  14. Feb 28, 2008
    kaiser715

    kaiser715 Member

    Sanford, NC
    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2006
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    I dunno about that -- standards pretty well go that tanks have to be within the confines of the body, so if you rollover or are in accident, tank is somewhat protected. IE, bed tank in a pickup is not supposed to be above the bed rails. Mine are forward, within the confines of the rollbar. You just need a CJ6. :)

    One thing I did when I was figuring out how to mount...get 2 FULL tanks...pick them up and set them in several times...you are talking 33# plus the tank weight. My tire carrier swings down, but I didn't want to have to deal with it every time I swap a tank. Standing on the ground I set the tank up on top of the lockbox in back, then stand on the rear drawbar and set the tank down into the tank bracket. Plus play around with the tank brackets, they only open so far, and the opening is offset to one side so you can't drop a tank horizontally straight down into the bracket.
     
    Last edited: Feb 29, 2008
  15. Feb 29, 2008
    v8cj5

    v8cj5 New Member

    southbury ct
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    Aug 21, 2007
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    mcscott i had planned on using the 425 mixer i had read that that is the way to go for a v8 and a 4 barrel.
     
  16. Feb 29, 2008
    v8cj5

    v8cj5 New Member

    southbury ct
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    i also found a impco 200 and model e regulator for a really good deal would this work??
     
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