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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 36
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CNG Conversion???
Anyone done any research on converting one of our trucks , or any other vehicle for that matter, to CNG? I'm wondering what the cost might be or if it's even possible with our engines/carbs.
I saw Boone Pickens on Leno a couple weeks ago and they were talking about CNG from America to replace foreign oil. Jay said he had converted one of his 50's era Cadillac's to CNG and it cost him about $1.40 per gallon to fill up. Jay just happen to leave the cost of the conversion out of the conversation.... I would think this would be a cool project. If anybody has any info, I'm sure the rest of us would be interested to hear....Thx. |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Smithville, Ontario
Posts: 38
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Re: CNG Conversion???
A way to do this conversion is to locate a propane powered carbed pick-up most of the components interchange from what I understand. The tanks are prolly the most expensive/hardest to locate.
I haven't converted a vehicle, but I do own a '97 Safari van that runs on CNG. Been considering doing this to my '72 if I decide to keep it. |
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#3 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Paradise TX USA
Posts: 1,200
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Re: CNG Conversion???
I work on large industrial Natural gas engines for a living, and have also worked on fleet vehicles with CNG conversions. It's a good inexpensive clean burning alternative to gasoline. The biggest problem is being able to store enough of it to get much range out of a vehicle. It needs to be stored under high pressure so the tanks are bulky and expensive.
On an engine with a carburetor, it would be an easy conversion similar to a propane setup. Fuel injected engines are more complicated. You might be able to find a CNG powered fleet vehicle in a junk yard to get the components from. NOTE: working with CNG can also be extremely dangerous if proper precautions are not taken. hope this helps
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"Negative people always seem to have a problem for every solution" |
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#4 |
Never Ending Projects
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 3,836
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Re: CNG Conversion???
Also, based on the research I did a few months back, to legally be able to fill the tank while it is mounted in the vehicle, it has to be certified, which typically means you have to be licensed to install the conversion.
It became too much of a red tape issue to deal with so I stopped moving forward. I even had gotten the mixer base plate, which was one of the harder things to get. Oh well...
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. 1965 C10 Panel, ![]() 1968 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod Hauler http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313233 SOLD 1965 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=415702 SOLD We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason... listen twice as much and speak half as often... |
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#5 |
sharp as a marble
![]() Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: atlantic beach,florida
Posts: 1,082
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Re: CNG Conversion???
like EDDIEH says it is under high pressure. I have a friend who writes software to have vehicleS be dual fuel. gas/CNG. He tells me that a vehicle that runs on CNG is 100 times cleaner that on gas. The conversions ( his experience is primarily Ford ) are tanks,lines and a different set of injectors. I know I am simplifying this, but for fuel injected cars its CNG, for carbed cars propane would be simpler to do. I too have thought about the change, the tanks would have to be quite big to have 200 miles or so of range.
NOW for my political rant: +++Edited by moderator+++ Please keep the politics out of the conversation. Last edited by Palf70Step; 10-01-2008 at 05:48 PM. |
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: new mexico
Posts: 948
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Re: CNG Conversion???
We used to run our ranch pickups on propane back in the eightys. It was cheaper than gas, but you didn't get the same range or power. It has been a while, but I remember being nervous everytime I filled the tank!
They were also hard to start in cold weather. You had to make sure to switch to the gas tank before you shut it off in the evening or else it might not start very easy the next morning. The tank in the back pretty much took up all the room in front of the fender wells on the 3/4 ton chevies.
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1972 3/4T 4x4 Chevrolet (383) 1971 c-10 SWB (400 sb) 1972 4x4 Blazer 1969 SWB 4x4 GMC Projects: 1972 stepside 4x4 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=280132 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=285952 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=553672 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=522704 |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 36
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Re: CNG Conversion???
Are certified installers abundant or are they few and far between? I would guess I could find someone to put it together in as big a city as Houston....you'd think.
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#8 | |
Never Ending Projects
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 3,836
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Re: CNG Conversion???
Quote:
Biggest thing is to pay someone else for a full system conversion, I have seen prices between $5,000-$10,000. Sad part is you can pick up the parts themselves for less then $1,000, not including the tank. This is all new parts. Find deals on used stuff, a few hundred bucks could get you going outside of the filling problem. The government just does not make it easy for the individual to use alternitive powers. I guess seeing some of the hack jobs people do to vehicles, I can't blame them. I wish there was a way I could the conversion myself, then have it inspected and certified. Keeps the cost down but makes sure the system is safe. Good luck.
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. 1965 C10 Panel, ![]() 1968 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod Hauler http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313233 SOLD 1965 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=415702 SOLD We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason... listen twice as much and speak half as often... |
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#9 | |
Never Ending Projects
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 3,836
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Re: CNG Conversion???
Quote:
I truly did 2 months of solid research on this and if it wasn't for the whole certification issue so the tanks can be filled in vehicle, I would be doing this big time.
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. 1965 C10 Panel, ![]() 1968 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod Hauler http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=313233 SOLD 1965 Chevy C10, Long, Fleetside, Hot Rod C10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=415702 SOLD We were given two ears and one mouth for a reason... listen twice as much and speak half as often... |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Smithville, Ontario
Posts: 38
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Re: CNG Conversion???
With the issue of refilling and certification, if you have a dual-fuel truck, why not get a VRA and do it at home? The compressors go for about $2500 and up on e-bay. But if you are comparing it to a $4000 price tag for someone to install it....
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#11 |
I am a Referee of life.
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Greensboro N.C.
Posts: 13,993
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Re: CNG Conversion???
Boone would be the one to talk up alternative fuels.He has already made millions in the oil/gas industry.A very smart and inventive man if ever there was one.He does tend to be a bit eccentric.
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The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil" |
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#12 |
Account Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: over yonder
Posts: 14,270
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Re: CNG Conversion???
He's also the guy that stands to make the most money if "his plan" really takes hold. He is a very smart business man.
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#13 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: weatherford,texas
Posts: 1,003
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Re: CNG Conversion???
i work on cng engines also for chesapeake energy, the nations 2nd largest producer of natural gas. i hope the cng automotive craze catches on, it will help my 401k. i tune and adjust 3600(i-6) & 3500(v-16)caterpillar's and 5794(v-12) waukesha's to keep their exhaust emissions below state mandated limits. if it was easier to refuel i think alot of people would go cng. honda is making a cng civic, chesepeke just ordered 100 of them to use around the corporate office in okl. city...
Last edited by lilred67; 10-02-2008 at 10:03 PM. Reason: spelling |
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#14 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: weatherford,texas
Posts: 1,003
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Re: CNG Conversion???
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#15 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: West Jordan, UT
Posts: 189
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Re: CNG Conversion???
Does anyone have any updated info or price on this?
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Hoytsville, Utah
Posts: 3,365
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Re: CNG Conversion???
No, but there was a controversy here in Utah a couple years ago about the certification thing. I think the law was that the tanks had to be certified every year, and there was no legal way to have this done if not factory equipment. Something like that-I'm too lazy to look it up right now-but the law was changed to allow certs on tanks installed after market, but I think the installer still has to be certified. I don't think I've noticed a pick-up with a CNG tank in the box, like the old propane rigs had.
I'd probably look into it if my '68 was my main driver, but I drive a company-supplied work truck and this gazillionaire buys my gas. I wonder if portable tanks will ever be available, like for the BBQ or whatever. Ah geez. There's my million-dollar idea and I just put it out on the web.
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'68 Panel Project Boogie Chillin' '68 C-10 Ol' Green |
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#17 |
Account Suspended
![]() Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Ogilvie Minnesota
Posts: 461
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Re: CNG Conversion???
Its just like solar power. Its a great idea but it is to expensive at the moment. Eventually the retards in government will get their **** together. It takes them about ten years to understand the most basic concepts.
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#18 |
laying low
![]() Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Searcy, Ark. USA
Posts: 13,221
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Re: CNG Conversion???
I also have been wondering about the feasibility of cng. I was approached recently by a CNG company wanting to put in a fuel site in our town and they were looking to sell the idea to locals with big truck fleets.
When I questioned them on just what is involved converting big diesel trucks to run on cng they were vague. Their main selling point is "about half the cost of diesel per gallon" and "feeling good about helping the environment" with the cleaner burn. I contacted my Mack truck dealer and asked what they knew about it. They have a few Mack trucks out there running cng but don't really care for it. According to the info I received from them it is not just a fitment of cng tank and lines. It's a different engine alltogether. By their comparisons CNG produces less power and fuel mileage than current diesel engines. Limited refill locations makes a cng truck feasible only for local use. 400 mile radius or so. There are also LNG applications. Another problem with natural gas vehicles, they say, is a garage has to be refitted with explosion proof lights, light switches, venting fans, and all tools, etc for safety reasons. Long fueling time is a drawback. They said filling a semi truck can take up to several hours in real cold weather using one of the ng types. I have heard a few truck drivers say their trucks have no power anymore on the inclines. All of the above information is related to big truck diesels but some also applies to passenger vehicles. We can expect taxes to be applied to cng fuel, once it catches on more, lessening it's cost advantage per gallon.
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Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross |
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#19 |
CAN'T FIX NOTHIN
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: SOUTHRUST VIRGINIA !!!
Posts: 2,112
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Re: CNG Conversion???
I work in the natural gas industry and I work on and operate wells and compressors we have small compressors that run on natural gas with 496 chevrolet marine engines I see 3 problems with it ,,
#1 as stated above the pressure will be too high to carry enough of it to get a long range #2 its dry ! It has absolutley no lubrication quality to it a 496 that runs on it for any length of time has valves that look like they were tosted in an oven ! So in my opinion some type of upper cylinder lubricant needs to be added somehow #3 GREED you may think its cheap and it may be right now but if it becomes used widespread they will raise it to equal what gas costs now they will be no savings long term , It burns clean , we have one truck a worker put a acetylene torch tank in the bed and hooked up the throttle body and regulator off a junk compressor and drove it that way it worked perfect but without much pressure you dont get far , we will probably have to switch to it later not because of cost but because of its clean burning , I can get pics of the 496 engines and what parts are needed if anyone wants
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1967 C10 Shortbed Fleetside Small back glass 6 cyl 3spd on the tree 3.08 gears underdash AC |
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#20 | |
CAN'T FIX NOTHIN
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: SOUTHRUST VIRGINIA !!!
Posts: 2,112
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Re: CNG Conversion???
Quote:
one thing you did not mention or they may not have told you is that a diesal engine will not run on natural gas they mix it with diesal to cut down on the diesal fuel costs and it works but lack of power long refueling times and such are a problem , a gasoline engine will run on pure natural gas ,
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1967 C10 Shortbed Fleetside Small back glass 6 cyl 3spd on the tree 3.08 gears underdash AC |
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#21 |
laying low
![]() Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Searcy, Ark. USA
Posts: 13,221
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Re: CNG Conversion???
Also natural gas needs an ignition source unlike diesel that ignites under compression.
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Boog 69 Chevy stepside, 358/T350, 4.11 posi, 4.5/4 drop, rallys, poboy driver primer is finer 91 Chevy sportside, Tahoe, Yukon & GMC Crewcab All GM..'nuff said. I stand for the flag and kneel at the cross |
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#22 |
CAN'T FIX NOTHIN
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: SOUTHRUST VIRGINIA !!!
Posts: 2,112
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Re: CNG Conversion???
Right !
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1967 C10 Shortbed Fleetside Small back glass 6 cyl 3spd on the tree 3.08 gears underdash AC |
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