propane anyone??

[jshirley78]

Has anyone ever tried running propane??, I 4 wheeled with a guy running a 454 with propane in place of his gas tank, he said it only cost him about $100 more to build than gas and with current gas prices its costing him about the same to run his BB as it is for me to run my v-6 (in my truck not my boat). So whats the opinions????

[JayBee]

If I remember right propane has a much lower energy density than gasoline. Therefore, the volume of the fuel component of the charge going into to the engine is going to be larger; this means the fresh air (oxygen) component of the charge will be smaller at the same flow rate. Another way to look at it is this: to make the same amount of horsepower you will have to increase the induction flow rate.

[jshirley78]

you are most certainly correct, it requires a special carb to burn the propane and a converter to change it from liquid to gas.

[SK48]

In the late 70's or early 80's there was a guy running blown gas or fuel
jet with a twin turbo propane Southwind tunnell that hauled a**.

[Rampager]

Be an awesome fuel to run in a boat buuuut.....not so sure about storing tanks in a boat with the heat/sun etc. Propane injection would also be worth looking into.
It has a much better octane rating than gas if Im not mistaken
Cheers

[SmokinLowriderSS]

The "octane" (if you can dare to call it that) is about 104. The BTU capability of propane is only about 15% or so lower than Gaasoline (I do not have the figures in front of me but it is nowhere as low as alch). The power difference would easily be made up in higher compression ratios and ignition timing capability so even mileage is similar. Mixture distribution problems would be almost nonexistent as would troubles of fuel puddling in intakes (inhaling a gas in stead of a liquid). Would be a very smooth running engine, even cold. Oil dilution problems dissapear as well. I have heard oils actually tend to thicken as they age in a propane breathing engine. Don't know if propane "carb" would be available to feed a high-spinning big block but they might be out there somewhere.
Cool idea though for a mental exercise. :cool:

[aslack99]

Yah the carbs are out there (IMPCO 425's ),propane works great as an alternate for cars and trucks,but with limited space on a boat it would be tough.BTW I do this stuff for a living.

[berk]

in my opinion propane has no place on any boat. just too dangerous.

[Kindsvater Flat]

A buddy of mine that owns a propane business and pretty much everything he owns on propane. Here is his beater sanger v-drive that runs high 80's with a small block.
http://www.schoutenranch.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/normal_propane.jpg
http://www.schoutenranch.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/normal_propane2.jpg

[Jeanyus]

You can make a nice bomb out of propane tanks. I think I'll stick with gasoline.

[SUI-CY-COLE DIMARCO]

A buddy of mine that owns a propane business and pretty much everything he owns on propane. Here is his beater sanger v-drive that runs high 80's with a small block.
http://www.schoutenranch.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/normal_propane.jpg
http://www.schoutenranch.com/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/normal_propane2.jpg
geez k-flat..did he have it sitting out back next to the kubota or what?

[Just Tool'n]

The company had a mtg down in Dallas TX in June of this year, there for 5 days, on the one night that they did not run meetings till 9-9:30 pm they put us on a bus to take us to a Malibu Grand Prix type of place.
There they had 6 dragsters running SB chevys with Powerglides.
They were running on propane, it was a slick set-up.
The dragsters went 1/32nd of a mile I was told, you got a reaction time & an E.T. I do not remember if you got an MPH.
It was fun driving them! I wish someone in Calif did this.
They took us there to keep us out of the strip joints that night.

[SUI-CY-COLE DIMARCO]

they do somewhere in so-cal...someone chime in and tell....my buddy went down there and did it...he said it wa s a blast.

[JET-O-VATOR]

speed zone in puenta hills

[jshirley78]

after a little research on gotpropane.com, I figured out I have plenty of room for tanks at the back of my boat, question is, my fuel tank is up front under the bow, how is not having that weight up there going to effect the attitude of the boat? (Propane tanks have to be monted in open air)

[Sleek-Jet]

You can make a nice bomb out of propane tanks. I think I'll stick with gasoline.
Like gasoline never explodes.... :messedup:
A 20 gallon gas tank with 5 gallons of gas sloshing around in it is more of a bomb than a propane tank. :rolleyes:

[Jeanyus]

OK. :rolleyes:
http://www.dccouncil.washington.dc.us/patterson/images/HMpropane.explosion.jpg

[canuck1]

after a little research on gotpropane.com, I figured out I have plenty of room for tanks at the back of my boat, question is, my fuel tank is up front under the bow, how is not having that weight up there going to effect the attitude of the boat? (Propane tanks have to be monted in open air)
Wrong, automotive propane tanks have to be vented to open air.
To run a hp motor on propane you need to run two of the 425 carbs and you need heat for the vaporizers. 12 to 1 works real good but the further south you go the more butane you find added to the fuel and the less performance

[superdave013]

speed zone in puenta hills
I love that place. Drinks some beers, drive the karts, drink some more, drive the dragsters, drink some more, bash your friends (and anyone else) in the karts. :D good fun!

[jshirley78]

hey Jeanyus how did you know I live down the orad from cresent city???!?!?!

[jshirley78]

Wrong, automotive propane tanks have to be vented to open air.
Little clarification, I have a closed bow in which my current GAS tank is under, the propane tanks will be in the back near the engine where the rear seats used to be. What Im trying to figure out is how this will effect the attitude of the boat since there will no longer be the weight of the gas upfront

[Squirtcha?]

Little clarification, I have a closed bow in which my current GAS tank is under, the propane tanks will be in the back near the engine where the rear seats used to be. What Im trying to figure out is how this will effect the attitude of the boat since there will no longer be the weight of the gas upfront
It's possible that it'll actually help out. A number of guys have removed their bow tanks and ran gunnel tanks in an effort to shift the center of gravity rearward and give the boat a different set.