I haven't seen any discussion on propane injection on thses engines. It is a topic of some popularity on my "other" diesel board, "The DieselStop.com", (fka, Ford-Diesel.com).
It seems that on those 7liter engines using up to 6psi thru a 3/8" orifice gives substantial power boost--like from 25 HP and up. (I think all those numbers are correct)
The benefits claimed include, more power, more complete combustion, no smoke.
It seems the propane acts as a catalyst for the combustion of the diesel fuel. Both turbo and naturally aspirated moters benefit from this modification, although the turbos gain more.
The set up is quite simple-- a propane tank and the proper regulator ( BBQ regulators do not supply enough), some simple plumbing run to the air cleaner, a restriction and some sort of a difuser inside the air cleaner. a solenoid valve and a micro swith on the injection pump linkage to open the solenoid at W.O.T. There may be some other minor parts, but that seems like the whole system.
I can't see any reason why this would not work on MB engines, Has it been tried?
Any comments?
Michael

Dp a search, there have been threads on this topic in the past.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

All the non-current US truck diesels are direct injection, relatively low compression ratio engines (the new Cummins is high compression, prechambered). I have serious doubts about the advisability of running propane fumigation on a prechamber diesel -- they pre-ignite terribly on ether, by the way -- and the power increase is NOT worth trashing a good MB diesel.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

psfred, The 7.3 IDI engines that benefit most from this setup are indirect injected.
Jeff

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1971 R600 Mack toterhome (SuperDawg)
99 NU-WA Snowbird 34+2 SE 102 5er
If it's not diesel, it's not in my stable!
53 F100 617.951/auto
95 Dodge 3500 Cummins/5 speed service truck

I did a search--should have done it earlier. I see it has been well discussed before.
Sorry 'bout that!
Michael

Jeff:

Who makes the Ford 7.3? I'm only familiar with the Powerstroke they used, and it's a fixed injeciton timing direct injection.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

I believe the earlier Ford diesels (early '80's and up) were not Powerstokes, but I'm sure TX Bill is right they are all made by Int'l/Navistar.I'm sure the propane injection would be the kiss of death for a tired old diesel, kinda like putting nitrous on a new civic

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Democracy dies in darkness, you have to kick at the darkness till it bleeds daylight

Yep, all the Ford Diesels (light duty, in NA) are made by International. I believe that there has been more than one Powerstroke that blew up because of propane injection.... most have no problem and it increases power/milage. The ones that blow up are probably over fumigated with propane...... hope it was worth the $8-10k for those guys.

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1985 300D Turbo ~225k
2000 F350 (Powerstroke) 4X4, SWB, CC, SRW, 6spd ~148k
1999 International 4900, DT466e (250hp/660 ft/lbs), Allison MD3060 ~73k

The powerstroke first appeared in 1995. The first year it came out it was horrible a lot more work should have been done on the
drawing board. It was a sure step up from the IDI models 94 -.
One person i knew who put propane injected in a stroke slowly self destructed it. For the money difference i would opt for a Banks Turbo Pack. my $0.02.

Ty,
Some of us old IDI guys might debate your assertion that the power stroke is a definite improvement over the older IDI design.
The power stroke is certainly more efficient, getting a lot more power from less fuel. But the price for that efficiency is the addition of computer controls and the greater complexity it brings. Some of us enjoy being able to work on our own rigs and the addition of the computer makes them a different beast.
Am I right in understanding that all MB desiels are IDI?
Michael

I agree 100% with the fact that they are hard to work on. In a stroke i can barely stick my hand in under the hood it is so packed up. I have experiece with both Powerstroke and the old 7.3. I don't want to start up a debate. I have seen a 30 page debate over Ford Diesel and Cummins. They weren't too thrilled when I replied with a post that said mercedes diesels were better. To me they are both good engines and it just depends whether or not your a dodge, ford or benz person.

I heard a malicious rumor that Ford was going to put a Benz diesel in a truck -- probably their big European V8. Should be fun, eh?

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

That's interesting. I'd never heard of Ford possibly using an M-B diesel, but there were rumors all over the place abotu Dodge replacing the Cummins with an M-B engine right after Daimler-Benz bought Chrysler out.

Also, to be nitpicky the Powerstroke came out midway through the 1994 model year. And yes, all diesels used in Ford 3/4 ton and 1 ton trucks to date were built by International-Harvester/Navistar. The old 6.9l, along with the DT466, is actually a common school bus engine.

Also, yes, except for the brand-new CDi engines (common rail direct injected), every M-B car diesel is an IDI. And the Powerstroke may be a more efficient engine, I like my computer-free IDI's whether it has the IH logo or the 3 pointed star. I will admit, though, that there are times when I lust for a Cummins 6BTA 12 valve...

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2001 VW Jetta TDI, 5 speed, daily driver
1991 Ford F-350, work in progress
1984 Ford F-250 4x4, 6.9l turbo diesel, 5 speed manual
Previous oilburners: 1980 IH Scout, 1984 E-350, 1985 M-B 300D, 1979 M-B 300SD, 1983 M-B 300D
Spark-free since 1999

No way Dodge is going to put an MB diesel into a truck, the oil sump is on the wrong end.....

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

I am with the WARDEN, I too find myself lusting for a Cummins from time to time. The problem is that it comes in the Dodge....
Although the IH Navistar has really gotten popular, and is great for towing applications it just seems like it's a bit too much for an F250/350.
I would prefer to see Ford start using the Cummins.
I have heard the Cummins compares favorably to the 7.3, but with some sacrifice on performane off the line.
dave