Taking cng system from one car to install on another.

[utah63cents]

I've got a 1998 Ford Contour that had a CNG system installed on it from the factory. It is a bi-fuel vehicle. But this car is giving out and has been a headache since I bought it. I am currently restoring a 1970 Chevrolet pickup and was wondering if I could take the CNG kit off my Ford and install it myself on the Chevy. Does anyone know if this is possible (maybe with minor modifications?)

[cngmike]

Re: Taking cng system from one car to install on another.

The storage and presser regulator and solenoid should be fine but the 98 ford used the GFI Compuvalve which is pure s#*t. On a 70's chevy you can use a Imco system watch ebay propane. check with local conversion companies that do off road conversions. the contour is a fuel injected vehicle and the Chevy is a carbrated at best a throttle body fuel injected. This type of system dose not lend it self well to bi-fuel. To get it to run well on natural gas you need to run a lot of spark advance and a big gap.

[ezgoing954]

Re: Taking cng system from one car to install on another.

The storage and presser regulator and solenoid should be fine but the 98 ford used the GFI Compuvalve which is pure s#*t. On a 70's chevy you can use a Imco system watch ebay propane. check with local conversion companies that do off road conversions. the contour is a fuel injected vehicle and the Chevy is a carbrated at best a throttle body fuel injected. This type of system dose not lend it self well to bi-fuel. To get it to run well on natural gas you need to run a lot of spark advance and a big gap.

So I could probably convert my '64 Ford Ranchero to run on CNG with an Impco Carb and no EFI junk? It's a hot rod, too. Is it going to be gutless running on CNG or can I recuperate that loss with a higher compression ratio?
Keith

[neongreen]

Re: Taking cng system from one car to install on another.

If you wanted to go dedicated CNG, I don't see a problem. Just build the motor for CNG and it will run well. You could get away with high compression (11:1 shouldnt be a problem) and a big cam as the fuel is 130 octane. Then you wouldnt have to run as much timing advance.

[cngmike]

Re: Taking cng system from one car to install on another.

All of the dodges the early fords and gms were conversions (standard engine) yes there was a power loss but not huge when running as a dedicated. I have been told of people running up to 14:1 compression ratios with cng. there is no reason you couldn't use most of the components off the ford and run an imco carb. The well at the front of the bed of you ranchero would be a great place to put a couple of cylinders.