Propane Conversion

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Old 04-12-2006, 08:01 PM
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Smile Propane Conversion

I have a 2001 F-150 with a 4.6 liter motor. I have been trying to fond some information regarding a conversion kit that will let me run porpane/natural gas and gasoline. Dose anyone have any information about the pros and cons of a conversion like this. Also, I would like to find out if anyone knows where to get sytem like this.
 
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Old 04-12-2006, 08:15 PM
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LPG gas needs cast iron heads,( higher heat ) I don't know if the intake on the 4.6 is plastic, if it is it will melt...
 
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Old 04-12-2006, 08:20 PM
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My intake is aluminum.
 
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Old 04-12-2006, 08:24 PM
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How can I tell if my heads are aluminum or iron? Can you tell by the engine code from the vin number?
 
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Old 04-12-2006, 09:08 PM
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Originally Posted by qrb912
How can I tell if my heads are aluminum or iron? Can you tell by the engine code from the vin number?
All modular heads 4.6L 5.4L and V-10 heads are aluminum
 
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Old 04-12-2006, 09:11 PM
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crap
 
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Old 04-12-2006, 09:33 PM
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it's better to stay with gas, Propane is not as efficent as gas and is cheap left over in the Refigning process, big bulky tanks, cod start's, instalation cost's, ect don't make for a cost efective conversion....
 
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Old 04-12-2006, 09:49 PM
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Originally Posted by qrb912
crap
Naw, buddy! You should be saying yay! You don't want a propane truck. I've had one before, they're a headache.
 
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Old 04-13-2006, 07:47 AM
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Originally Posted by chester8420
Naw, buddy! You should be saying yay! You don't want a propane truck. I've had one before, they're a headache.

my dad use to work on them for Ft hood when they tried that back in 1995-1996... they were breaking valves and crap from the dry intake charge. gasoline has a lubricating factor that keeps the metal from drying out and pitting and then breaking.
 
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Old 04-13-2006, 09:40 AM
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It sounds like it is just not a good idea. Thanks
You have talked me out of it.
 
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Old 04-13-2006, 09:42 AM
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Has anyone here ever used E-85? It sounds like we are getting a pump here soon. I hear that it is like 110 octane. That would get a little more kick out of a tuner chip! I know you loose some mileage, but it is a little more than a dollar cheaper per gallon. Any advice on this?
 
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Old 04-13-2006, 10:19 AM
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Originally Posted by qrb912
Has anyone here ever used E-85? It sounds like we are getting a pump here soon. I hear that it is like 110 octane. That would get a little more kick out of a tuner chip! I know you loose some mileage, but it is a little more than a dollar cheaper per gallon. Any advice on this?
I think you can retrofit your truck to run off it, but it would probably be cheaper and more reliable to buy one that is designed to run off it. My girlfriend's 2000 ranger will run off it from the factory. It has the green leaf sticker on the side, and the gas cap says it's ok on it.
 
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Old 04-13-2006, 01:39 PM
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My 4.6 is dual fuel gas/propane and I'm quite happy with it. Your engine will last at least twice as long on propane as there are no contaminents or additives. You can go twice as long between oil changes for the same reasons. I just did a 10,000 kilometre oil change and the old oil was still a nice golden brown color. Propane conversions are fuel injection now, so, you don't lose power or mileage. Propane is 110 octane. My truck has 177,000 kilometres on the odometre and runs like a top...


regards
 
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Old 04-13-2006, 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Faster150
my dad use to work on them for Ft hood when they tried that back in 1995-1996... they were breaking valves and crap from the dry intake charge. gasoline has a lubricating factor that keeps the metal from drying out and pitting and then breaking.
That's why most of the guys here use the Flashlube Valve Saver Kit.



It adds a drop of oil every few seconds to the intake.



Here on a 2004 F150.

You can set the amount of oil adding to the intake yourself.

 
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Old 04-13-2006, 11:40 PM
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At work, we have 40-50 factory equipped f-150 bi-fuel trucks (propane/gas). They are 2001-2003 7700 5.4 auto. We have found the trucks to be very troublesome. In the 100k miles total I have put on two trucks, I ran three tanks of propane, because I was afraid the truck would breakdown and would end up at the dealer for a long period of time. Our mechanics hate the system and tell me unofficially they are trying to get enough of the systems to fail to justify taking them off the trucks. Other than the bi-fuel, I love driving these 7700's.
 


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