Hi Sean,
I am interested in your experience with a supercharger. Any chance of getting more details on this project?
Peter
Hi Wayne,
It looks like you have your work cut out for ya. But your getting it done I hope the weather gives you a break
it’s hit or miss down here with sun and rain. BBB Sean
Good Morning Peter,
Unlike gasoline and diesel powered vehicles the wood burner has a limited supply of fuel available and a certain range it will operate in.
If you build a vehicle and supercharge it and make a gasifier to match it you could run speeds 100 plus mph.
The problem is driving the vehicle at speeds less than 70-75 mph. You would have to switch back to gasoline.
I think it is best to figure the speeds one will be driving most of the time and design around that.
If you want to experiment with supercharging and not have to drop many $ you might want to try what I did a few years back. I plumbed in a gasoline powered leaf blower in the system.
BBB
Great description Wayne I couldn’t have said it better myself
BBB
Hey Sean!
I value your opinion and am actually glad to hear I will likely not need it. I just thought my 200 hp 345 ft 351w would be too wimpy. It’s a fresh engine though, at about 1500 miles since rebuild. So now I will concentrate on getting the materials for the build.
Met with Chris in KY. Chris is a great host! We tooled around in Frankfort. It was a great experience and motivated me to start my build.
Brit
Hi Brit,
Glad you have found the site and got to meet Chris and see his truck run. I am sure we will meet up someday. Having a fresh engine to convert is a big plus just get it running and inprove as you go. Put some miles down and gain knowledge. A wise man once said to me I could build the best gasifier ever and put it in the hands of someone with no experience in gasification and it will be burnt up in a half hour. Regards Sean
Hi Wayne,
Thanks to you experienced guys taking the time to explain the hands on information that you have learned the hard way, i am understanding why some of my concepts are not feasible on WG. Much better to ask questions than fall into the famous hole!! For now, i am going to heed the advice given & get my feet wet just learning to operate a gasser in a vehicle.
Once again, thanks to everyone for the patience.
Peter
Diesel as opposed to gas engine
Hummmmm-sounds as though diesel is in the “experimental” stage. I have an 85’ Ford F250 with a “cornbinder” 6.9 International engine in her. Since I am not a fan of rebuilding or experimenting with it, I am looking for your advice.
I have the opportunity to buy a fuel injected, 6 cylinder, 300 C.I., 1989 Ford, F250 pickup, similar to the size of the build for the Dakota that is being built here. Would you recommend that I acquire the fuel injected truck as opposed to the diesel? Again–I am not a “rebuild” fan, nor a motor/gear head. I have actually started the build using the plans on this site, and have recently gotten 20 band saw blades for the cooling fins for the fire tube.
If selling the diesel and buying the gas would relieve potential headaches in the future, that is what I am trying to achieve. Simple is better!
Thanks for the GREAT website!!! – Lee
06/29/2012
Hello Lee,
Yes I would say if you want to avoid a bunch of custom work go with a gasoline fuel injected engine.
With a big truck and a small engine I am not sure what kind of performance you will have you would be better off
with a 351w of the same year if possible. Sean
Hello Lee,
I also have a cornbinder here in an 87 model. The truck still runs Ok but I haven’t used it much since 2005 when I built the old ford wood gas truck.
I have experimented running a hose from another gasifier to the truck. It would knock like I was putting starter fluid to it.
I know to gasifie it I would have to add some head gaskets to bring down the compression.
Thank you–I have decided to sell the diesel and go with the 6 cylinder 300 C.I. Ford. I accidentally said it was a F250–It is really an F150. I think this engine size is comparable to the build we are doing for the construction section. If I am barking up the wrong tree or going down the wrong path please let me know so I don’t spend time on the wrong build. Thanks Lee
Lee,
That truck will work fine, what is the intended use for it? Highway, hauling, farm work? Does it have overdrive?
Hello Chris – Sorry it took so long–Crazy life-anyway I want it mainly for highway, light hauling and occasionally pulling a 16’ trailer. So you agree that I should get rid of the Diesel and purchase the F150 300 C.I.? Thanks Chris
Yes the 300 F150 will work fine. Use the larger size firetube.
Hello Lee,
I recently talked to a diesel mechanic he is currently converting diesel engines of all makes and models.
To run on methane,cng and LP gas. To achieve this he has to change some things in the engine to work correctly.
The mod list is
lower the compression ratio to 10 to 1 drill and tap the heads for spark ingition, change valve system to nonlubecating system diesel fuel is a form of lubecation
All of the above is time consuming and expensive. I would stick with the gasoline engines and parts that are readily available Regards Sean
Thanks Chris and Sean!!! That really helps. Of course I expected quality response from this site and particularly the both of you! Thanks - Lee
Chris–I missed the question earlier–Does it have overdrive? Yes–I consider a 5 speed transmission to have “overdrive”. – Lee (does it make a difference overall in performance)?
Hi Lee,
Overdrive makes a big difference at cruise, keeping the RPMs lower and using less fuel. This is also reflected in your MPGs. My old truck is a 3spd automatic without overdrive, and it has a hard time above 60MPH, gasoline or woodgas.
Way cool! Thanks Chris–hope to meet you guys some day, but Washington State is a long ways from where most of you guys are. Maybe a goal to take my completed “wood gasser” to a meet!! - Lee
Hi,
I happen to be in Summerfield, Florida, and I am interested in seeing your setup. My target is to run a generator to charge some batteries, but love to see your setup.
Mart