They Run Their Truck on Wood!

(Page 3 of 3)

January/February 1981
By the Mother Earth News Editors 
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THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN

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Besides the loss of "zip" (the effect of which can be somewhat eased by converting an older, overpowered, large-displacement, high-compression engine to wood fuel and advancing its ignition timing), there are other disadvantages to gengas fuel. Obviously, a producer—gas generating unit—with its wood supply—is going to take up more space than does a standard gasoline tank. Also, because of the nature of the fibrous hydrocarbon energy source, scheduled maintenance—especially on the filter systems—must be frequent to prevent engine damage. But probably the most important fact to be aware of is that the gaseous fuel produced by the burning wood is 20-28% carbon monoxide . . . which can be deadly if allowed to leak into the vehicle's passenger compartment or a closed garage. (Of course, the same poison is present in the exhaust fumes of gasoline engines.)

Nevertheless, if the proper precautions are taken and the system installed carefully, there's no reason that high "octane", relatively clean-burning wood gas can't be a practical substitute for petroleum fuel. (In fact, MOTHER's researchers are so "fired up" over the idea that they're designing their own apparatus to be used on one of MOM's pickups, and we'll be sure to cover that in a future issue!)

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  • Roy 12/22/2007 5:05:04 PM

    I am looking for more in formation on all wood gas fuel and any
    others I can run my work ruck that is a 460 ford 350 van help me I
    need to save money

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