Propane conversion of the Atomic 4

[ndutton]

I hope Mr. Baker returns to tell us the details of his propane fueled A-4. With a working engine he has worked through much of what has been discussed here.

[joe_db]

Propane carbs aren't hard to find. My issue would be that they were never designed to be used in a boat below decks and thus no ABYC/USCG approval and some real fun come insurance survey time. Then you have the situation of pulling up to a fuel dock and asking for 20 or 30 gallons of propane

[Carl-T705]

After reading here about CNG, I believe now, that Cummins diesel was converted to CNG. It wasn't a power enhancer, it was what it was run on. the tank took a third of the PU truck bed. That's a pretty big space.

[Carl-T705]

My mistake, the Cummins was converted to CNG as the only fuel source. The tank was 1/3 of the truck bed, that's a big nitrous bottle!

[lat 64]

For reasons of accuracy and also to be a nit picking PITA there's a difference between CNG and LNG. I wasn't sure so I went looking and found this on the web:

CNG is compressed natural gas; LNG is liquefied natural gas which must be kept at temperatures near absolute zero. CNG has a lower cost of production and storage compared to LNG as it does not require an expensive cooling process and cryogenic tanks. CNG however requires a much larger volume to store the same mass of natural gas and the use of high pressures.

Not nit picking at all, that alphabet soup is confusing, good info is what I like, thanks.
I would really like to see an actual conversion too.

Russ

[Dave Neptune]

A couple of things

An ole flathead will run just fine on propane just not make quite the same power. Flatheads do not lend themselves to propane very well as achieving the necessary compression to not loose power will interfer with the breathing capability of a flathead!
The other downside is that when running propane temps in access of 200 are also necessary for good performance so it is out for a FWC motor and even with a HX the necessary temps can cause the HX to "carbonate the tubes" thus reducing the cooling capacity.
I have worked with a few propane/alchohol turbocharged engines for racing apps and they were awesome as far as power and extremely doscile to drive. One was a 509 BBC (502 with cleanup hone for new pistons). The engine is in a 1937 flatbead Chevy and is street legal. The goal is for 285 at Bonneville and with those gears she'll lite the tires at 85MPH just punching the throttle, not hard with 1780 HP available. It takes 3 tanks to feed the carbs, each tank can flow enough for around 700 HP. When driving on the street just one tank is hot and with the flip of a couple of switches the other two carbs start feeding too Hang on going for a spin!!!!!

I'd much rather deal with gas at 2.5 PSI than the preassures required for propane in a BOAT / BOMB if either leaks.

Dave Neptune

[william baker]

william baker

Propane conversion explained! (Who is John Galt)?

[JonnyQuest]

...Who is John Gault?

-Good one WB!

[Administrator]

..Who is John Galt?

Uh, oh.... I'm going to have to pay close attention to this thread...

Bill

[romantic comedy]

John Gault was the guy who put the ball in the ball point pen.

[JonnyQuest]

Yes, yes, the ball point pen Gault. (not the other one, of course!)

Obi-Wan Kenobi: "These aren't the droids you're looking for."
Stormtrooper: "These aren't the droids we're looking for."
Obi-Wan Kenobi: "He can go about his business."
Stormtrooper: "You can go about your business."
Obi-Wan Kenobi: "Move along."
Stormtrooper: "Move along. Move along."

Later back on the Death Star....

[Mo]

Yes, yes, the ball point pen Gault. (not the other one, of course!)

Obi-Wan Kenobi: "These aren't the droids you're looking for."
Stormtrooper: "These aren't the droids we're looking for."
Obi-Wan Kenobi: "He can go about his business."
Stormtrooper: "You can go about your business."
Obi-Wan Kenobi: "Move along."
Stormtrooper: "Move along. Move along."

Later back on the Death Star....

John Galt.

Inspired by Ayn Rand's characters in Atlas Shrugged and The Fountainhead, penetrating profiles of both the innovators who move our world forward and those who seek to destroy the achievement of others
John Galt, the fictional character from Ayn Rand's bestselling novel, Atlas Shrugged, has come to embody the individualist capitalist who acts in his own enlightened self interest, and in doing so lifts the world around him. Some of today's most successful CEOs, journalists, sports figures, actors, and thinkers have led their lives according to Galt's (i.e., Rand's) philosophy.

I'm pretty sure he's the guy with the cape.....

[william baker]

John Gault replies

I could have simply stopped the world's engine. But I had a budget short. if I had I wouldn't have needed fuel for ten years,just a replacement filter with easy access, to all. But I chose propane instead. It's in budget. I tried to have the spelling as Galt but the system wouldn't allow it.

[william baker]

John Galt replies:

As I was saying,I could have stopped the worlds engine ;I chose propane for budget reasons. If I had chosen the other, there wouldn't have been a need for a membrane for ten years ;I could have kept one in reserve in a special container that wouldn't allow ozone to deplete it. But I am in budget.

[mikke60]

Booster

I own a ford diesel and all guys I know who use propane, use it strictly as a booster. Wouldn't burning pure propane be like trying to burn gasoline in yogr deisel? We know that wont fly.