Propane Powered

What is all involved in getting a F-4 (or any motor) to run on propane? How is the fuel (propane) delivered to the motor. I assume there is some kind of different carb system.

I found a '69 plow/parts Jeep w/ a propane powered F-4 and was just curious. I haven't gone to look at it yet, it was just listed in the paper over the weekend. I don't know whats all useable or what it even looks like. Listed as needing 'TLC'.

 

Cool, thanks.

 

The December issue of Jp magazine has a tech article on how to use propane power on a Jeep. They do it on a carbureted 360 but I'm sure it uses the same principles.

From what I've read it's actually very similar to a gas motor and carb. The propane system uses a mixer (read carburetor) and a convertor that converts the propane from a liquid into a gas and also regulates the systems fuel pressure. A lock-off valve can also be used a a safety feature. It acts as a fuel regulator that runs off of vacuum so if there is no engine vacuum there is no propane flow. All of this mounts to the manifold using a carb adapter plate just like if you were to put a different carb on, etc. They suggest using a forklift tank for it's size and all you have to do is run fuel lines from the tank to the lock off valve or regulator.

One of the reservations about propane power is that it has an octane rating of 110 so it works best on a higher compression motor.

However, since propane is a pressurized fuel it doesn't need a fuel pump and will run at ANY angle. Kinda cool

There are a bunch of different mixers and just like a carb it needs to be the correct CFM for the motor. The equation is as follows: [(cubic inches x RPM)/3456]x.85=max CFM.

Try these sites: www.propanecarbs.com, www.alternatefuelsracing.com, www.propaneguy.com

Hope all of this helps

 

I know a guy that you may want to talk to. I dont have an email for him.
He makes LPG/NG fuel conbersrsions for small gasoline engines but he knows alot about making gas engines run on propane in general and I am sure he knows were to get parts for conversions.

Steve Brown
phone - 405-799-4000

 

sure is sparky he is in Moore OK.
Good guy to talk to he is a lot of help to me when I have questions about LPG covertions.