I Run My Car on Acetylene

(Page 3 of 3)

March/April 1980
 
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But even with a portable gas generator installed, I have some more tinkering to do with the fuel delivery system. My goal is to provide good engine control up to speed, but at the same time balance the air/fuel ratio to prevent a rich-and hence wasteful mixture. Recently, I have been working with some new components and designs that make the system safer and ultimately more practical . . . including an improved metering device of my own design, and an antibackfire valve that virtually prevents accidental (and disastrous) flashbacks from reaching the calcium carbide generator.

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In short-although 1 don't have all the answers yet-I've come a long way in a few months, and I feel downright pleased at this point. Not only have I demonstrated the car to the local press and run up some miles on it, but I've gathered some preliminary economy figures to indicate that-at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour, at least-I can expect far better mileage from each dollar's worth of calcium carbide fuel than I can from the equivalent amount of gasoline . .. and these days, that's saying something.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Although author Lee Barber has indeed successfully run his car on acetylene, he strongly reminds us-and any of MOTHER's readers who might consider experimenting with acety lene as a motor fuel that he is a factory-trained welder and has had 30 years of experience with the gas. Anyone trying to duplicate his success had best be warned that-unless he or she understands the principles of acetylene thoroughly-real danger does exist. However, if you're in terested in learning more about what Lee Barber has done, he has agreed to provide a fact sheet to anyone who sends a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Barber Welding, "Ace Car-Go", Boyle Road, Gill, Massachusetts 01376 . And please, folks, it wouldn't hurt to slip in a dollar or two to help defray Lee's printing and research expenses . . . after all, it looks like he might really have something!

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  • avos 11/12/2008 10:51:32 AM

    any email contact with him?

  • ed 11/27/2007 5:46:40 PM

    where can i find more information about this set-up? thanks, Ed

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