Just looking into WVO, I found a setup at the junkyard

[Lucas]

I came across this setup on a 79 240D. I have a 1970 220D and am curious what I'm looking at here.

I'm familiar with WVO and plan on a two tank setup eventually.

I know the filter housings are interchangeable, as I'm running a 240 filter housing currently.

[compu_85]

IMHO... that is probably why that car ended up in the junkyard in the first place...

-J

[Lucas]

Due to that setup or WVO in general?

[krwsenior]

I've been running WVO in multiple vehicles for years. Currently I have a 2004 Ford Excursion (over 110k miles on wvo) and my 91 350SDL which has a single tank system from Mercedes source. I don't know much about Lovecraft, but I have read many bad things about their conversion kit. I would have to assume that it doesn't generate enough heat. You would be better off to start from scratch and build a system or buy a kit that is available now (and parts still available). I've never owned one, but I'm told that grease car makes a good kit. I like the one I have too.

if you go with with a single tank kit, it helps to blend a little diesel along the way to keep it thin. I see you live in a mild climate so that should work fine. The injectors need to be in good shape too.

The big question is, Do you have any vegetable oil? And do you have a steady source? If not, your probably wasting your money.

[Lucas]

Ahhh nice info. The guy at the junkyard sent me to look at the diff, which I couldn't see as it had cars stacked on it. Trying to push the veggie setup on me. Lol.

I'll probably go dual as I have a gigantic trunk, a small stock tank, and not have to worry about mixing, but I'll research the single.

Yes. I distribute produce to restaurants and have good access. I'm contemplating converting the delivery vehicles, sprinters, but figured I should try it on my old Benz first.

This motor will come out one day, so it's a good time to try it.

I'm currently having a head done. Next getting injectors rebuilt. Should I go with stock nozzles or do you have a recommendation?

I apologize for asking without doing more research.

Thanks!

[krwsenior]

Stock nozzles should be fine. I used Monarch and I'm pleased with them. Special nozzles are not needed for wvo.

[Lucas]

Sweet. Thanks for the jump start.

[krwsenior]

For a few months, I was pulling a small refrigerated trailer on a weekly 500 mile round trip to get fresh fish for my restaurant. The local fresh seafood guys prices got out of hand. I made the trip on veggie oil in my Excursion. I would bring extra oil in the trailer to refill while I was waiting to be loaded.

The Sprinter will be harder to convert, but it has been done before. The Ford 7.3 and 6.0 works very well with the biofuelstechnologies kit. But if you get a 6.0 (like I have) be prepared for some heavy maintenance - not due to using veggie, but just because its a 6-oh I've spent a bunch on head gaskets, oil coolers, etc. All normal for this engine. The 7.3 is a good engine for wvo. My brother has been blending in his for over 250k miles - no kit. But he knows what he is doing. No veggie related repairs in all those miles. (truck has over 400k)

[grease lightnig]

Walk away quickly very quickly. They lasted just long enough for your check to clear then your car basically blew up.

Worst conversion system ever.

I proper two tank conversion is not that hard or even that much money make sure you can get grease first and that you can filter it second then get a car if you do not have one then convert a car after you can filter grease and gather it.

[moon161]

I rep it so much, that I should probably find the link instead of tell people to look for it.
Anyways, user GregMN documented a very sharp 2 tank system that he made. Should work well for an OM60x or OM61x system (benz diesel 70s through early 90s, i think).

For oil processing, I would research and implement either John Galt cold upflow system, or Ron Schroeder's hot upflow system, or a packed column (packed w/ biodiesel drying resin). I could document it, it's real simple.

Frybrid.com is an echo of a lively community, some good systems and drama documented there. DON'T try and buy a frybrid system.

[strelnik]

Originally Posted by krwsenior

I've been running WVO in multiple vehicles for years. Currently I have a 2004 Ford Excursion (over 110k miles on wvo) and my 91 350SDL which has a single tank system from Mercedes source. I don't know much about Lovecraft, but I have read many bad things about their conversion kit. I would have to assume that it doesn't generate enough heat. You would be better off to start from scratch and build a system or buy a kit that is available now (and parts still available). I've never owned one, but I'm told that grease car makes a good kit. I like the one I have too.

if you go with with a single tank kit, it helps to blend a little diesel along the way to keep it thin. I see you live in a mild climate so that should work fine. The injectors need to be in good shape too.

The big question is, Do you have any vegetable oil? And do you have a steady source? If not, your probably wasting your money.

I understand you very well.

I just purchased a 385 gallon commercial double walled tank and am picking it up Saturday. Made a deal and am getting 100 gallons of unused hydraulic oil, need to get the specs before I do any mixing.

Talk about steady source: I had to pass on 900 gallons of used motor oil because I had to take all of it at once and I can't handle that (sigh) The guy ended up selling it to the local recycler, but he was willing to give it to me, except I had no storage.

One of my Thanksgiving Week failures!

[ROLLGUY]

Originally Posted by krwsenior

The 7.3 is a good engine for wvo. My brother has been blending in his for over 250k miles - no kit. But he knows what he is doing. No veggie related repairs in all those miles. (truck has over 400k)

Agreed about the 7.3. My bro has a '97 now, and has had a '96 previously. These are great trucks for running a blend, as they have 2 tanks. My bro put pump D in one tank, and the blend in the other. He starts and stops (beginning and end of the day) on D, and switches to the blend tank after it warms up.
As far as the Lovecraft system is concerned, I used to use them when I first started running WVO, but learned that it is better to convert the fuel than the fuel system in the car. What I mean is that ANY "conversion" is much more hassle to work with than just running a blend. Between my brother and I, over the past 10+ years, we have been running blended WVO in all our vehicles (about 20+) without any major fuel related issues. The problem with a single tank system (Lovecraft) is that you are starting the engine on cold, thick fuel. Yes it is great when the engine is up to temp and the fuel is thin and flowing smoothly, but startup is where all the problems happen. Once I found out about blending (solvent thinning), I yanked all that "conversion" equipment out and have not used it since in any of my vehicles. I suggest passing on any equipment, even if it is free (just my opinion though).....Rich

[ROLLGUY]

Originally Posted by moon161

For oil processing, I would research and implement either John Galt cold upflow system, or Ron Schroeder's hot upflow system, or a packed column (packed w/ biodiesel drying resin). I could document it, it's real simple.

Agreed about John Galt Upflow system. I have been using this system for years, and it makes the cleanest and driest fuel without any electricity (passive system), and is very easy to make and set up. In at least 2 of my vehicles that I drive now (I have had them the longest), I very rarely have needed to replace the secondary filter. Maybe once a year, and I think I have had the secondary filter in my 300D for at least 2 years. My Mitsubishi has needed the main filter replaced once about a year ago, but that might have been because of operator error (I put somewhat warm oil in the COLD upflow unit, and it went to the top, dirt and all). It also helps to let the oil from the upflow settle in the collection barrel as long as possible before using it. I also filter (polyester cloth) the oil going in, so the upflow gets fairly clean oil to start with. I can't comment on the other systems, as I am sticking with what I know that works.....Rich

[compu_85]

Originally Posted by Lucas

Due to that setup or WVO in general?

Again, IMHO, WVO in general. It can be done, but you have to put a ton of effort into quality control. If you don't do a perfect job of getting the water, etc out of the oil it will ruin the fuel injection system.

I get sort of worked up over this because some people have billed WVO as the best thing since sliced bread and so easy a cave man could do it. Neither is true. What I have seen over and over is someone installing a system, saying it's the best thing ever after 10,000 miles, then some time later they have an issue and drop off the face of the Earth.

Consider how much time it will take you to collect, filter, dewater, transfer, clean, and monitor your veggie oil. If you have tons of free time and drive a lot it could make sense, but if your time is limited like mine I don't have enough hours in the day to prep the VO for successful automotive use.

-J

[Lucas]

I got some homework to do.

I'm looking at mercedes source one tank system. If I understand correctly you have a glow plug heat the oil and return through a circulatory system with a filter. 2 min and it's hot enough. But what about shutdown? You have to crank that cold oil through later?

I like the one tank system as it doesn't require switching over. Nice for short trips.

On the other hand, if I go two tanks I can run on diesel for short trips, and switch on veggie oil for long hauls.

It is a big job dealing with it. Part of my motivation is having a local themed distribution company. The marketing implications of me driving a WVO outweigh the feasibility.

And it's fun.

This is a 615.912. The little guy. Eventually building a 617 turbo for it. These motors are not sought after, most guys drop a 616 in for a little more kick.

So I don't mind the risk.