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  • April 18, 2024, 07:00:22 PM

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Author Topic: Alternative fuels  (Read 2799 times)

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Offline Zoro

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Alternative fuels
« on: May 11, 2015, 07:37:54 AM »
Thinking of converting one of the Eagles over to CNG or LPG. Anybody gone this route with their AMC or given it any thought? How about a potential mileage gain or loss?
84 Eagle Wagon aka 'Zoro II'
263,000 miles and counting!

Offline recomer

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Re: Alternative fuels
« Reply #1 on: May 11, 2015, 09:18:40 AM »
I've done a little research into this myself. You'll get less mileage, so any savings will be from the cost of the CNG/LPG. I found most companies only make kits for truck or vehicles where the tanks can be put outside the cab of the vehicle (the tanks are mostly forklift tanks). You'd have to get a custom tank to mount in the location where the existing Eagle tank is.

I've considered both a conversion and a dual fuel conversion but with gas prices down at the moment, I don't think either is cost effective at the moment.
83 Eagle Wagon

Offline rollguy

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Re: Alternative fuels
« Reply #2 on: May 11, 2015, 11:14:47 AM »
About 30 years ago, all my cars were powered by LPG.  I had a tank, pump and meter (rented from propane supplier) at my home for fueling.  On my wagon (Nova), I had a tank that was in the rear area behind the back seat, but all the valves and hoses were out the bottom.  The tank was sealed between the floor and the tank itself.  The only other way is like said above, gas tank removed and LPG tank put in it's place.  Automobile LPG systems require a liquid port for fueling the equipment, so your basic RV type cylinder will not work, as they are usually vapor only.  You may be able to find a double tank (two cylinders side by side) that will work perfectly for a wagon.  You would probably want remote fill (valves and connections facing forward), as having the fill connection and valves facing toward the rear of the car would be dangerous in a rear end collision.  As said, you will get less MPG. There are advantages, as LPG is about 100 octane, so you can up the compression and get more power.  This is not so good if you are running a dual fuel system.  There are compromises both ways when running dual fuel.  Back then, straight LPG was exempt from all the smog and other inspections, but dual was not.  I am not sure how your state treats cars with these systems, so that is something that might be a deal breaker for you.  Be sure to investigate all things like this before you do any conversions.  I also had several off-road vehicles that I ran on LPG (dune buggy's), and they worked great.  An off-road vehicle with a carburetor is not the best.  My buggy would run upside-down if it had to!...Rich
1980 Eagle Turbodiesel Wagon (only 2 known to exist as of 2008)- 7-7-2011 Flight to it's new nest @ Rambler Ranch
1983 Eagle Wagon  Tan over Copper
1982 Eagle SX4 "ALTREGL"  (avatar photo)
1982 Eagle 4 Door Sedan  Copper over Satin Black
1985 Eagle Sport Wagon October 2007 ROTM (SOLD)
4 Biofuel powered Benzs ('98 E300, '82 300 CD, '82 300 TD (wagon), '80 240 D)
1983 GMC Van (6.2 Diesel)
1985 Mitsubishi pickup (2.3 Turbodiesel)

Offline recomer

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Re: Alternative fuels
« Reply #3 on: May 11, 2015, 12:01:43 PM »
Great info Rich!
83 Eagle Wagon

Offline carnuck

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Re: Alternative fuels
« Reply #4 on: May 14, 2015, 01:36:17 AM »
I used to do both LPG and CNG conversions back in the day. I've been working up to doing LPG EFI. Don't know if I'll get there, but my Jtruck will be LPG in the next couple months.
AMC/Jeep gauges are for amusement only. Any correlation between them and reality is purely coincidental!

Offline Jurjen

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Re: Alternative fuels
« Reply #5 on: May 17, 2015, 11:09:09 AM »
Ceers Arendse in the Netherlands is running his Eagle on LPG. LPG is a common conversion in the Netherlands.
"sparrows fly in flocks, eagles fly alone"

Eagle Wagon Limited 1983, Citroen C-Crosser 2010, Triumph Bonneville 1969, Yamaha XJR1300 1999, Yamaha TX750 1973

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