|
|
Posted by clueless [201.202.24.94] on Friday, May 21, 2010 at 15:10:50 :
In Reply to: Re: But propane needs higher compresion than 6:1. posted by Kaegi [71.227.129.92] on Friday, May 21, 2010 at 12:42:05 :
After World War II, the 251.6 and 265.4 cubic inch engines used in Dodge medium and heavy duty trucks were equipped with sodium cooled exhaust valves and stellite seats. The hollow exhaust valve stems were filled with metallic sodium metal which would liquefy at operating temperature and transmit the heat up the stem and through the valve guide to the water jacket.
Because of the long stroke, heaps of torque were available at low rpm. My dad ran them in his propane delivery trucks. These old engines were dogs on power but would run forever, especially when fueled with LPG. Getting one started on a zero degree morning in January was an exercise in patience.
Larger trucks used another family of in-line flathead six cylinder engines. There was a 331 cubic inch and a mammoth 413 cubic inch lugger was available in the T series and up. There may have been another engine in the 370 CID range, but I am not sure about that. The 331 was highly regarded in trucking circles as a durable, hard working engine. The 413 was equipped with two single barrel carburetors and had a very large appetite for gasoline. It was noted for twisting the drive sprocket off the end of the camshaft.