Propane Converted ATV

Hello all, this is going to be a somewhat simple instructables. So here is some background information on the build, it started when a few years back we had a Polaris 350 Trailboss, and the engine finally gave out after many years of enjoyment and after that we just let it sit unitl we finally remembered we had an old Honda 240cc cement mixer engine with a gear reduction already on it, so it sounded like the perfect fit for it. So without going much more into the background here is the build. 

 Just to be clear I and the people involved in this took extra care while handling the propane, and we are not responsible for any damage caused to yourself or any property that you, (or your neighbors) may own. So please only attempt this if you know what your doing, and have sufficient common sense to know what you should and shouldn't do.

Also I am very sorry for the video quality thats all I could upload on to Instructables.

Here is a link to the youtube video it is of much better quality.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RneAye-NetM
Here also is an older video of it with details. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtaqvKldUrs

Step 1 Getting Started

So first off your going to need a somewhat good mechanical background, and be familliar with som basic tools. Here is the main bulk of tools used,

1) A full Metric and Imperical wrench set, sockets also.
2) Some angle Iron. (If your doing a complete rebuild)
3) Screwdrivers, Allen wrenches(Hex keys)
4) A welder, (again only if doing a full rebuild)
5) A reciprocating saw, a drill, amd various other power tools. (again for a full rebuild)
6) Other basic tools you will know waht you need once you get into it.

As for the ATV, prefferable one that doesn't run, or it is old and you don' t care about it's safety, do not use it if it has a 2-stroke requiring pre mixed fuel, only use this conversion on 4-stroke or 2-stroke oil injected engines.

For the propane system we used a weed burner with an adjustable valve to regulate the gas.  

Comments

[btan]

I agree, very neat conversion. Thanks for sharing.

Would it be easier or more difficult to convert a 4 stroke fuel injected motor vs a carburated one? I have a fuel injected scooter that I'd like to try to convert.

[scottrevoman333]

I cant tell you 100% for sure, my set up is all custom. most likely a carburated would be easier. my set up is i plugged the fuel lines on the carburator. and then right at the front of the carburator flapo put a small pipe that directs propane into the carburator, as the carburator is oppened you must in crease propane flow manually to provide adequate fuel to air ratio, basically doing the job of a carburator foat bowl manually since the floatcannot control propane it would freeze or simply blow upwards having no effect, i used a small valve off of a propane weed burner. also keep in mind that propane is equivalent to 100 octane gasoline. your engine will have considerably more power and possibly higher running temperatures, most engines can be done if observation is keeps strick on the lubricating side of things propane provides no upper cylinder and valve lubrication, so dependng on your engines lube system it may not be a good idea

[scottrevoman333]

I'm really not sure about the fuel injected engines because I haven't been able to get one to experiment with but you might be able to hook the propane to the fuel line with a pressure regulator and reducer, then you might be able to let the engine ECU still controll the fuel flow with the injectors but I don't know if it would cause vapor lock because the injectors are made for liquids. But if the propane is pressurized then it shouldn't matter, you would also want to disconnect the fuel pump if there is one, to prevent it from overheating. But if that doesn't work then there should be an intake for the engine, possibly right on the cylinder, and you could rig a nozzle there just like a carburated engine, just check to make sure there is a backfire arrestor on the intake, and then its the same process used in this instructable.

[btan]

Scottrevoman333,

thanks, I'll give this a try. But I probably won't do this to my good scooter. I'll see if I can get an old junker similar to it and experiment on that one.

[matt_and_nick]

i actually have been thinking of making a moped thast runs on propane, due to such high gas prices

[scottrevoman333]

That would be neat but regulating the gas levels could be a pain especially on a moped, you maybe could look for a carburator that is made for propane, that would be better as it would regualte the gas and the throttle body valve at the same time. But if you do it I'd love to see it posted.

[matt_and_nick]

i was actually thinking of using a regulator from a small porpane camp stove, along with the small disposable bottles of propane you can get at wal-mart

[scottrevoman333]

The valve would work but you also have to increase the gas flow as you go faster. So it would be like some old motorcycles where you had to open the throttle with one grip and adjust the timing with the orbs. Also the disposable cans can get expensive you should look into a small 1 gallon tank you can refill or make an adapter to refill the small disposable tanks from a larger tank.

[vistal]

Would be a cool idea untill you burn out your piston .propane burns to hot to make this mod.

[scottrevoman333]

Actually runs a lot cooler now than it did on gas. So???

[austin]

how much propane does it use?

[scottrevoman333]

It will run on a small tank for about 8 hours. The tank in there is either a 1 gallon or a 5 gallon I can't remember it right now.

[rimar2000]

Excellent work. It reminds me an adaptation that my father did in the 60's, over a tractor that used an elusive fuel, it finally worked with a bottle of propane / butane.

I recently bought an electric generator of 220 V, 2.2 KW, which runs on gasoline, and will be likely adapted to run on natural gas (methane) as this is much cheaper. This instructable will be a very good guide!

[kylebo]

This is really neat! I wish I had one so bad!