1974 Chevy C20 gas/propane conversion

Finally got it fixed and and running .....

A Imperial 300A propane carburettor addition to the old 4MA quad jet carb on a small block 350 :-D:-D:cool

I lose about 1/4 the hp when on propane but it runs almost completely silent-just a nice throb throb from the dual pipes :-D:-D (I lost the "Chevy shake" at the stop sign only on propane) It is great for in town.

A 60 gallon tank feeds the engine with attachments for bbq,heater,lights anything that will run on prop):yum

It runs thru a regulator where the cold(-300) incoming propane is heated by a coil of hot water tubing around it(,otherwise the reg and carb could freeze open.) Then runs to an attachment that sits on top of the carb just like an air cleaner, straight down into the original carb wher it now acts just like gasoline. (short abbreviated explanation)

Now I can go off the grid for camping and fishing in style:-D:-D:-D

P

 

roflmao

That's a pretty neat set up and the truck looks to be in fine shape for the age.
Cheers on the great job.

 

That's pretty cool!

Innovative stuff like that reminds me of my brother in the late 70's, when he converted a 3/4 ton Chevy truck to diesel for cheap gas, way before manufacturers started producing them & price hikes. He's an ex-marine & lived in Sneads Ferry NC @ the time & used a 3-53 Detroit diesel out of a Gamma-Goat. Said the hardest part was figuring out the brake system. Used to get big looks, when rumbling by as it was one-of-a-kind @ that time. However the ex-DI is more of a "DH" nowadays (lol).

Nice work!

 

Can you tell me where to find more info on the imperial 300 a i have one and know very little about it . Thx

 

Nice job on the conversion. Is it more efficient than gasoline? And what, no picture of the grill in the back of the truck? I would have to have one... :-D

 

I don' know got the truck for free put a battery in it filled the oil and other fluids put 30 gal of propane and it runs great. I just need more info on the imperial 300 a injection. But no still no grill in the back.

 

What the... You are driving a portable propane tank. With NO GRILL? :confused You ain't from around here is you? :-D:-D


http://youtu.be/9FA__4fLBos

 

Did you do this mod yourself Petaluma?Nice work if you did,regs over here won't let us do the conversions ourselves because its pressurised gas,need an installation ticket for safety or it won't pass an MOT.

Ends up costing around £1500 total on a decent sized V8 including fitting in the UK so you have to run it for at least a couple of years to make it worth it.

Know a few people who've had them done due to fuel prices as there's still hardly any duty on our LPG,I'm sure that will change as more people take to it.

 

Our company fleet had conversions on top of 350 motors in P-30 Grumman Vans. Nothing worse than 20 below and frozen propane unless it is the headache from CO poisoning. I gasp in pain still everytime I am behind a stinky bus now.

 

Gotta love that rotten onion smell.
Of course, it grows on you. Right down into your pores.

 

Most all of our passanger busses are operating on CNG and have been for a while. Also CNG vehicle owners can fill their vehicles at the same bus filling station thru an agreement with the transportation management.
http://www.bwbus.com/businfo.htm

 

Have you figured a cost per mile driven ? A few years ago, I had a similar GMC 1/2ton that I had souped up and was getting about 11 MPG . (I had to use premium or it it would knock BAD) I'd certainly be interested in seeing what your cost per mile is .