On propane?

Vector · 09-19-2001, 12:42 AM

1990 FORD MUSTANG GT, 5.0L. 5 spd. on propane, only 108,000 kms, local, no accidents, save on gas

I've never heard of a Mustang run on propane before. What are the differences between this and a regular 5.0? What does this do for the power?

macx · 09-19-2001, 12:55 AM

A number of years ago when propane was still cheap, it used to be a popular optinal fuel for light trucks that saw lots of miles. It has less BTU's of energy per gallon of gas, so your mileage and/or power output will be less than with gas unless you make some mods like higher compression. Propane burns slower than gas, so you can raise compression to about 11-1 depending on cam duration which will gain back your lost power and mileage. Propane has absolutely no particulates or tiny solids, so never contaminates the oil. Propane engines typically last just about forever because there's no suspended solids (unburned fuel as in carbon deposits) in the oil scouring away at everything. Tanks have to be pressurized and are expensive and inconvenient to fill.

Jeff Chambers · 09-19-2001, 06:34 AM

Yep, here at NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, we worked with a drag racer a few years back and helped him put together a propane powered rail. I didn't work on the project so I couldn't tell you much about it, but I think he was an IHRA racer. It made the local news broadcasts for a few days but then I never heard another thing about it. Propane just doesn't have the BTU content of gasoline so I'd have my doubts on its use in high performance applications; works great in mass transit/fleet applications though.

------------------
Jeff Chambers
Trophy Stock #3
11.462 Seconds / 117.43 MPH
Chambers Racing Team

09-19-2001, 12:42 AM	#1
Vector Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Comox, BC, Canada Posts: 119	On propane? 1990 FORD MUSTANG GT, 5.0L. 5 spd. on propane, only 108,000 kms, local, no accidents, save on gas I've never heard of a Mustang run on propane before. What are the differences between this and a regular 5.0? What does this do for the power?

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09-19-2001, 12:55 AM	#2
macx Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Gordonville MO USA Posts: 448	A number of years ago when propane was still cheap, it used to be a popular optinal fuel for light trucks that saw lots of miles. It has less BTU's of energy per gallon of gas, so your mileage and/or power output will be less than with gas unless you make some mods like higher compression. Propane burns slower than gas, so you can raise compression to about 11-1 depending on cam duration which will gain back your lost power and mileage. Propane has absolutely no particulates or tiny solids, so never contaminates the oil. Propane engines typically last just about forever because there's no suspended solids (unburned fuel as in carbon deposits) in the oil scouring away at everything. Tanks have to be pressurized and are expensive and inconvenient to fill.

09-19-2001, 06:34 AM	#3
Jeff Chambers Moderator Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Milan, OH Posts: 2,699	Yep, here at NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, we worked with a drag racer a few years back and helped him put together a propane powered rail. I didn't work on the project so I couldn't tell you much about it, but I think he was an IHRA racer. It made the local news broadcasts for a few days but then I never heard another thing about it. Propane just doesn't have the BTU content of gasoline so I'd have my doubts on its use in high performance applications; works great in mass transit/fleet applications though. ------------------ Jeff Chambers Trophy Stock #3 11.462 Seconds / 117.43 MPH Chambers Racing Team