Well, a couple of weeks ago, my D died. The engine blew, and when I pulled the plugs, all I could see was liquid in the block. Got an engine shop to rebuild it, and out the door, it was 4200. She's back on the road now and better than ever. The mechanic said that I blew 2 connecting rods, although I did not hear any loud noises, just a thud of the block locking up for good. The next step for me is putting this baby on propane, as up here in Canada, gas is 1.20 a liter, where propane is 54 cents. The propane is gonna cost me about 3200, and after this, I'll able to drive around with basically a new, cheap to run D all summer when the "driving" season begins.

 

Propane may be cheap but as far as energy per unit, it isweaker than gas. You may need to do some math to see if you actually get better savings going to propane. It may be much cheaper, but you may also burn propane alot faster than gas whichmay negate your cheaper cost.

Check out these links.

From wikipedia site: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasoline

From eere.energy.gov: http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/pdfs/afv_info.pdf

 

Yikes. Im with Kensai about the propane. im not trying to discourage you, just taking from what i learned from our (DOC) members overseas. According to them you loose MPG as well HP with the conversion, also they mentioned that it burns alot hotter causing more fatigue (valves,etc). My knowledge thought it would only burn cleaner leaving less deposits including increasing the longevity of the oil, but they learned me. One of my major concerns would be that you need alot of room for the tank/'s and here in the US there isnt a huge boom yet on filling stations. I think the technology has yet to advance far enough to supply our heavy Ds with propane efficiently and most marketing is pushing propane/lpg as "economic" in the sence of the environment and not our pockets. Were just too damn heavy to sport it, but ive heard some diesels claim 26mpg with it. Iv'e got a lot to learn

 

 

Duranged; I just read the energy efficiency link that you put in your post and thanks for posting it as it was interesting too see how everything is compared to each other. It says that the energy ratio compared to gasoline is 74%, which basically means that the BTU output, per volume measurement compared to gasoline, it 26% less. It also said at the bottom of the page that fleets have seen extended service intervals- 2-3 years more to be exact.

I know that propane burns hotter than gas, and I know that you don't get the same power, but even if you have to use 25% more fuel compared to gas, aren't I ahead to try it out. When I got the engine built, I put Stellite valves in for the exhaust valves, at the advice of the engine builder. I also had different valve seats put in, as he recommended as well. I put on 71000 KMs last year alone in my D for work, so the cost savings using propane will pay for the kit in the first 6 months - I am hoping.

I work in construction, more specifically environmentally efficient design of buildings. I like driving a big truck, and this seemed like the only option that satisfied all of my needs, as its cheaper to run, good for the pollutants, and big enough to fit whatever I want in it.

I'll keep everyone posted with the results after I get it done (after the engine is broken in) in a few weeks.

 

At least using propane does make your engines last longer as it is a very very clean burning fuel. But as duranged says: the primary problem are LP refueling stations aren't easy to find unless the area where you live, JP fueling stations are nearby. I guess that is why most school districts in the DFW area are converting their buses to LP fuel or bio diesel technology to conserve and/or pollute less.

 

My take is with Kensia,

I just don't see running it. Besides the heads in these are very well known to crack under heat. This is why we tell everyone to change to 180.

Higher heat = more problems.

 

sounds like a good idea to me except for the initial investment, and the fact that lp(propane) refilling stations are non-existant (at least were i live)

 

Ya, first you need the fill stations.

I'm still way against it.

 

I'm against $4200 for a rebuild on my own motor. For that you could have got a Fastman build.

And then to add another $3200?? Na... WAY WAY WAY to much money spent. You will never get that investment back.

JMHO.

IndyDurango