RE: Propane conversion

[renarac@domain.elided]

Well, I have a 1800 loadstar with a propane 345 so I can add
some insight.
The factory propane IHC's have 345P or 345 LPG(I can't 
remember which) designated on the serial number 
pad on the block. 
The intake manifold also has a little different design to
provide a better heat range for the intake charge.
But gas would work...it might be just as well to put
the gas intake on if you'll be running gas in
CA (I assume from the pacbell.net domain)
I don't think my setup can run on a "flip of the switch"
dual fuel system like on some of the '70's Cadillacs.
I doubt your system can unless its aftermarket, but
it sure would with a gas carburator.
I'll bet that if that motor was run on propane from
new and has had regular oil and filter changes, you'll
get 350k miles out of it. easy. Propane burns clean and
won't contaminate the oil with carbon.(although it still
breaks it down and needs to be changed 3k or 1 year
whichever comes first)
I don't know the rules in all states, but some require a
special tax sticker so stations can fill your vehicle.
Also, your tanks have DOT fittings and a lot of places
with propane either don't know how to deal with a 
vehicle filling system, or don't WANT to deal with it.
It can be worse than trying to find DIESEL so tank 
up whenever you can.
ATTN: Rob Marks:
There is a fellow here in Tacoma,WA with an orange
Scout II convertable white top with what looks 
like a dana 60's un-narrowed and a BIG DOT propane 
tank in the back. I've never been able to catch up and
ask about the propane system in it. Does the NWBinders
have anyone with an LPG scout II?

Owen Minor
Tacoma,WA
==========================
   >From:    	"Joseph M. Shaw, II" <MikeIIDC@domain.elided>
   >To:        	ihc-digest@domain.elided
   >Subject:    	Propane conversion
   >Date:    	Sun, Jan 4, 1998  1:28 PM
   >
   >Hi, All!
   >You will probably all think I am absolutely crazy for this, as I have so
   >much trouble with my Damn Scout (a term of affection, I assure you)that
   >I should never dream of taking on anything else.  Regardless, I have
   >come across what is apparently a very nice mid 70's crew cab pick-up
   >that I may be able to pick up fairly inexpensively.  It's body is in
   >very good condition, original paint, no rust that I could see, and it's
   >been inside a garage for a few years not running.  It has a propane
   >set-up on it, though, and I have a few questions.
   >1.)  Should it run on regular gas as well as propane.  I thought it
   >would work on both, but the gentleman that owns the garage where it is
   >said that he thought it had to be converted, but that it was simple to
   >do.  When I went back to him a second time, he said it would run off of
   >both.  I had tried to tell him this the first time, but he was adamant
   >that it wouldn't.  I thought that since I had said so, it may have
   >convinced him, and he probably just didn't know the difference.  I had a
   >friend in New Mexico that had a F**d with a propane kit that would work
   >off of either.
   >2.)  If there is a conversion that needs to be done, is it
   >difficult/expensive?  Has anyone done this?  Any tips?
   >3.)  I know that converting the older style (69 and earlier) body style
   >models from two to four whell drive was supposed to be pretty basic. 
   >Are these later models as simple. or did they change anything?
   >4.)  And if you think you may want this truck, let me know.  I don't
   >know what they really want for it; they've simply asked me to make an
   >offer.  I am not in a position to give much for it, but they obviously
   >don't want/appreciate it, so I'm hoping to score it cheap.  I'll let you
   >know, and if I don't go for it, I'll post what kind of price they're
   >looking to get for it.
   >Thanks for any advice.
   >Michael
   >
   >
   >
   >