Propane Conversion: How to Make LPG Cars

I converted a 1970 Chevy pickup to propane 20 years ago and loved it. I kept the orig. fuel system so I could use either. I sold it because they changed the rules in Florida so that road taxes had to be paid a year in advance. It is no longer a DIY project here either, legally. Sad, no?

"Unlike gasoline, LP .. enters your engine as a completely vaporized fuel that's free from lead, carbon, gum, sulfur and most pollutants. LP won't foul your car's plugs, ruin its valves, contaminate its oil, wash down its cylinder walls and rings, burn out its muffler . . . OR destroy the air we all breathe. And while mileage and performance are about the same as with gasoline, cost per gallon of LP generally runs about 15% less than you've probably been paying for fuel."
wow i never knew the hydro carbon propane didnt have carbon..

yes its cleaner but.. look at emissions per BTU or mile and cost per mile i have looked at all this many times before and electricity is best imo because of the inefficiency of ICE the electric is more efficient and and electricity is out there now
cost 2 cent a mile vs 14 cent on gasoline locally for 1-3 cent more a KWh you can select a 'green' electric supply if you are of the mind to
i know alot of aussies and dutch use LPG or CNG but they have fill stations. what came first the fill station or the demand?

Hi everyone, never having been to the US I'm really suprised that you dont use LPG to fuel your cars. I'm in Australia where it's been used for many years and with todays petrol prices it does makes a difference. Any car can be converted here, an 800cc suzuki through to a high performance V8, but they have to be professionally fitted and certified. We now have a $2000 government rebate to convert our cars with the consumer sometimes paying an excess of up to $400 depending on what model of car and size tank etc.
Petrol today is selling at my local gas station for $1.52c a litre, I'm not too sure on the conversion but I think its somewhere close to $6 something a gallon and LPG is 0.62c a litre give or take a few cents.
So are there no regulations on modifying your car with LPG over there?
Can one just do this themselves willy nilly?
Do you have places to have cars professionally fitted?
I think its a great idea if you can do it yourself but I hope you trust your own skill because leaking tanks here from people who have tried modifying themselves have just gone BOOOOMM!!
In response to someone who asked how the car would run, performance wise the car is a little slower but the only time you really notice this is at take off or if youre trying to overtake another car.
I have a '64 beetle Im planning to oneday restore I was considering converting to LPG. They make donut shaped tanks that fit in where the spare wheel goes for cars with limited boot space if any other "buggers" were considering to also convert.

Safe driving!
Tiara

I too would like to get a kit for an aircooled VW, guess I'll have to snail-mail Jerry to see if they're still available.

I have a 1979 Ford F-100 with a 300 straight six single barrel carb that I'm just dying to convert to propane. I live right down the street from a propane supplier. I want the whole thing, even the solenoid to swap back and forth. I allready have a ten gallon forklift tank and clamps/brackets.

Can this system be mounted and used on fuel enjection.

What is the WC pressuse at the outlet at the reg.

thank you
Harry Peeples

Are these kits still available? I am interested in one for an aircooled VW engine.

Thanks,

BobC

Are these kits still available? I am interested in one for an aircooled VW engine.

Thanks,

BobC

Has anyone tried to convert one of the more modern engines? Like a fuel injected Toyota? They do not have carburetors. So,how do you work around the fuel injectors?

Bob

So how does one measure available fuel levels in an LP vehicle? I don't recall any mention of how to keep an eye out for low fuel levels in any of the LP vehicle articles, including the above. If my grill runs out of LP I can drive up the road and get a new bottle. If my vehicle runs out of LP out in the boonies, I'm not going anywhere.

I own a ford econoline van that was converted to propane from the start a think. It is a complete conversion without a dual setup and it sat for awhile because I needed transmission work on it. When I went to start it I couldn't get it to start. Somebody said that there are diaphrams that probably dried up. Is there anyplace where I can find repair manuals and parts lists for this? Thank you.

Looks to be possible for fuel injected engines. This was already linked above
http://www.cars.rasoenterprises.com/Propane-Conversions.htm

There are several (working?) links and/or telephone numbers to businesses that can perform this conversion service for you.

I have a 1952 International Pickup Truck, looking to convert to LPG. It looks pretty straightforward but where can I order a conversion kit specific for this type of truck? thanks!

I currently own a 1998 volvo S90 that has fuel injection. Do you have information for fuel injection? Years ago in the fresno calif. area, I had a dual fuel l958 chevy and went well over 100,000 miles with it. mileage was comparable with gasoline. Propane gives better low speed torque. Propane cleans any built up carbon already in the engine, so you have to change the oil often until the carbon is cleaned out,(2000 or 3000 miles), after that the oil stays clean. Back in the 50's there was a chrysler with over 300,000 miles that just changed the filter once in a while. I am a believer!!!!

Looking to convert a late model Chevy or Doge 4 door 1?2 ton pickup , while they are cheap.. rk

I have a 1984 Toyota crown six cylinder! Does this article and parts apply to a for Propane conversion on this vehicle?

I drive an 83 Honda Civic Wagon and would like some tips on converting to LP. I'm an ex Suburban Propane employee and have a good understanding of LP but don't know where to get a conversion kit and am wondering where to mount the tank.

I drive an 83 Honda Civic Wagon and would like some tips on converting to LP. I'm an ex Suburban Propane employee and have a good understanding of LP but don't know where to get a conversion kit and am wondering where to mount the tank.

About ten or twelve years ago I inquired my local LP supplier about this conversion. I asked about the MPG difference and he said his delivery trucks, which were converted, ran an average of about 1 MPG less than if they were not. At the time gas was less than $1 a gallon and the expense didn't seem practical.
I wonder if this could be done with a motorcycle? I know LP forklifts also run on 5 gallon upright tanks, which are easy to purchase! (HMMM) Any comments??

I have not seen anything in reference to MPH after converting to LP gas. If MPG is comparable to gasoline and the price of LP is 40 cents...WOW!! what savings.

a few things Canada has used propane for years. pull up at a regular gas station fill it up and drive on. They use normal space for a tank as a normal car so why is everyone having a hard timne with this?? 1 more thing I have more than 2 1/2 million miles of driving when I started in85 normal fuel and gas was used (for the most part) the trees and shrubs were very healthy. Now that all these new restrictions have gone into place things along the hwy. are dieing. Lets see trees and things live on what the motors put out and change it into what we breathe. Now that motors put out less and trees and shrubs are dieing where are we left???

I would like to learn more about the comversion , I have a 1997 grandam 6 cylindrs ad I would like to know more about it.

I am currently building a brand new engine for my 1972 Super Beetle and would like to build it as a dual fuel engine. This was great information. A little dated (1972), but nevertheless, quite practical.

I am currently building a brand new engine for my 1972 Super Beetle and would like to build it as a dual fuel engine. This was great information. A little dated (1972), but nevertheless, quite practical.

please contact me with more info about l-p converters thank you will

I have a 1996 ford tarus (fuel injected) do you have any information on conv? What are the costs today?

Hello
I am interested in converting my 1985 Mazda RX 7 rotary motor to LP or LP and gas mix.

I was wondering if you have any information on doing so and could recommend the supplies I would need for the conversion.
Is there a web link to purchase supplies?

Thanks

I have a 1999 Mercury Grand Marquis. I am unable to do a conversion to Propane or Natural gas myself. Can you put me in touch with someone in the Phoenix Arizona area that does this kind of work? Can you give me a ballpark figure of the cost of converting to LPG or NG?

Shelly

Hi I am a pastor of a small church in southern IL. and would
like to set a better example in the area of auto polution. I have a
1981 Jeep that I would like to convert to LP Gas and am having
trouple getting it together. Can you help? I can be reached at
618-458-7100 or papoole123@yahoo.com Sincerly Patrick
Poole

Have a 1978 3/4 ton P/U I want to convert to propane I also will be
towing a 35.5 ft 5th wheel, plan on running on flat parts of hiway
with propane, any place around San Jose to have the kit
installed,or that does this anywhere else on the peninsula around
Palo Alto? thanks

I have a turbocharged car with a force fed carb, incased in a
pressure bo. Will this work seeing how there is positive pressure
being introduced to the carb?

need a jerry kit for a vw rail buggy

Mark, You can convert fuel injected vehicles to run on propane.
www.nexgas.us

THANKS MOM!!!!!!!!!! Probably read my first issue of MOTHER EARTH
about 30 years ago, I've been an advocate ever since!!!!!!!!!!!!! I
DO BELIEVE THAT AN UPDATE IS URGENTLY CALLED FOR!

Also the Fittings needs to be NPTF (National Pipe Thread Fuel) This
will prevent leaks the the ordinary NPT fittings would allow!

Where can i find installation instructions for an Impco 300 mixer
on s 97 Dodge 318 pickup?

My plan is to convert a 1980, 350 CID, Chev. car to operate on
propane or gasoline. Does the JERRY KIT for approx. $70.00 still
exist?

What about converting a fuel injected vehicle toLP?

I also have a Ford van with fuel injection that I would like to
covert over to LP. Where can I find out about it?

It seems to me the BTU content of propane vs gasolene is
considerably lower so small vessels installed in vehicles (to leave
room for luggage) would not give you the range that gasolene has.
Propane is also a heavier than air gas so more maintenance is
needed to keep fittings and pipe from shaking loose and allowing
leaks to occur in confined spaces(garages) and low earth spots.
Leaks in the vicenity of air intakes can also make the engine
continue to run and accelerate regardless of driver releasing the
accelerator. There are several more potential safety problems to be
solved before using propane. In Hobbs new Mexico a farmer had a lit
cigarette blow up and kill him because of a flexible propane hose
leak. Solve the problems first!

It seems to me the BTU content of propane vs gasolene is
considerably lower so small vessels installed in vehicles (to leave
room for luggage) would not give you the range that gasolene has.
Propane is also a heavier than air gas so more maintenance is
needed to keep fittings and pipe from shaking loose and allowing
leaks to occur in confined spaces(garages) and low earth spots.
Leaks in the vicenity of air intakes can also make the engine
continue to run and accelerate regardless of driver releasing the
accelerator. There are several more potential safety problems to be
solved before using propane. In Hobbs new Mexico a farmer had a lit
cigarette blow up and kill him because of a flexible propane hose
leak. Solve the problems first!

Thanks for the article. I'm wanting to convert as one phase in
getting off of oil. I'm researching electric vehicles versus
gaseous driven. Also looking at Iceland's Hydrogen economy as a
possibility; so may consider a third system of H and believe the LP
solution as a way to take a small step forward towards that goal.
Finally, my question is about timing. The H proponents say to set
the timing forward as H burns faster than petrol but does timing
need to be reset for LP as well?

I have that same question I would like to know about fuel injection
vehicles i have a 2007 Toyota Yaris and would like to convert it, I
also have a Ford Freestyle 2005, how can I convert these.

When I read this it was talking about carburetor engines. What
about fuel injection vehicles?

I have looked erywhere to find a frofessional installer to have my
2006 Checy Aveo converted to Propane gas. Can you help me find a
place. I live in Seattle Wa.

want to convert a 2000 pont min van efi is this possibe, would I
need to shut the injectors and fuel pump down when the lp is in use
and how would we get the the timing retarded back and forth if we
wanted to switch fuels if the range got to far?whats your cost
estimate to have an independant shop install this [I would be doing
this for a customer]? thank you M

have a 1991 GMC Saffari van V6wanting to convertto LP do I have to
instal a throttle onto the Lp for more gas a higher speeds the
article didnt say anything about throttles r

can I convert a newer car with efi or mpi to LP

I'm in need of one part for my carburetion system, to be fited
onto a 1986 Ford pickup, I know what the part looks like, But I
don't know what it is called, I know that my Air cleaner hose's
attach to it and also my fuel, I was told that I could get the part
at the Sooner supply in Oklahoma City, Ok. can you help me out.
James]
Mother Responds: I am sorry, we have no information on sources
for parts.

My vehicle of choice is a carburetted dodge 3/4 ton,( i.e. pre fuel
injected), the reason for that being that there are no rediculously
complicated computer controls to mess with. I also don't bother
with dual fuel. When properly tuned and maintained the truck will
even start at 40 below but at that temp it's better to plug it in
for a couple of hours.On average the motor lasts about 400000 miles
if not driven too hard but if you have a heavy foot you will
probably need a valve job because propane runs hot and the harder
you drive, the hotter it gets. I transfer my propane kit from truck
to truck and I've seen lots of propane stuff at my favorite local
car crusher for very reasonable prices ($75.00 for everything) but
avoid tanks with bubbly looking rust. Rusty tanks won't certify and
of course without the certification sticker you won't be able to
fill up. A new tank is in the $400 to 600 range. You should also
change the timing and spark plugs but otherwise a propane
conversion is actually quite easy and it makes that old truck much
more affordable to drive. I should also add the cost of converting
will vary according to your individual mechanical skills. Good luck
and happy propaning!

Please let me know if this still allpies for todays cars" 1984
dodge van" Is there a phone # to get more info? I'm writting this
for my boyfriend, and he has read the article, and is very
intrested.
Mother responds: This is an article from our magazine from 1973.
I am sorry, we have no updated contact information.

John, if you look at the date of the article, you will notice it
was written in 1972.

After reading around on porpane conversions and costs it is
apparent to me that the costs quoted in this article are
ridiculous???? WHEN could you get all this stuff for around $100
??? Ten times that seems to be the reality for parts as i look
around. This article sounds great but does not jibe with any other
info I find. Please explain how this article stands???? Thanks.

Hi, How old is this article on propane conversion? the quoted cost
for doing it yourself(and the pix)seem outdated. Before I send off
money to the guy for the kit...is he even still around; doing this?
Update appreciated(his email if you have?) thanks much