Hello.

I have an 93 GMC 1 ton Rally van with the 6.2l diesel and a 3:83 rear end with the 4L80E electronic 4spd tranny (218k miles).

I had a local diesel shop (well reputed) go through it and they said that it is fine and will give me many miles. It runs great, but my issue is that it doesn't have much towing power!

I'm surprised because my 1/2ton 99 Chev van (gas) has more towing power!

Is there something I should be looking at here, or am I just out of luck? The trailer I pull is a 7x23' trailer which goes about 7500lb max. It follows great, MUCH better than the gas 1/2 ton, but it just has NO power to get things going... I drop to 40mph up hills, and it takes me about 1/2 a mile or better to get up to 65 on the highway.

If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know... Edited by: JeF4y

I am afraid you are out of luck! I do not know about the '93 but my '84 only has 165 HP on a good day. I had problems pulling trailers also. I took a trip to Huntsville AL pulling a lightly loaded trailer and I was a hazard on the road. There were places I could only go about 40 mph. I solved the problem by getting an ‘01 ¾ ton Duramax/Allison. That rascal will walk the dog. There is a lot of difference between 165 HP and 300 HP!

Ugh...

Well, would it be worth my while to adjust the injector pump, or replace the exhaust?

I've heard that running straight pipes will gain a little bit, as will the injector pump. Will straight pipes significantly increase the noise on this beast?

I really don't have any desire to put on a turbo or anything radical. If need be, I will live with it for the next couple of years and then buy a new one...

It should have had a timing chain and gears at 100k, then again at 200k - keeps valve timing in spec, but also keeps inj timing at optimum advance for load.


Stretched timing chain retards valve timing and injection timing.


GM recommends new injectors at about 75k, and inj pump about same interval. Injector spray pattern is dependent on pump pressure - needed for turning fuel into energy, producing power.

http://www.thedieselstop.com/contents/getitems.php3?IDI%20Propane%20Setup





Go there and see what you think

http://www.thedieselstop.com/contents/getitems.php3?IDI%20Propane%20Setup





Go there and see what you think

Damn... Now you've got me thinking... My wife is shaking her head (and not up and down).

It does seem reasonable and logical though. I might have to give it a try http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

It would help you out in the towing department i think

Flanman...

Forgive me, I'd rather ask questions than guess.

Just for clarity, on the electrical side...

You have yours rigged so that you have to flip a toggle switch in the cab which opens the regulator (low pressure side) and then once you're "on", if you were to step on the throttle, it wouldn't engage until the pedal was about 1/2 way down AND the oil PSI was above 15PSI?

What's the purpose of doing both, why not just one (throttle OR oil pressure)?

Also, I'm considering layout for my van. Figure I can mount everything toward the rear of the interior, but the question would then fall to "where do I go through the floor/walls to get the hose outside of the passanger compartment?".

Thanks for your help, I'm looking forward to doing this.

That is not mine it was something i found that i thought you would be interested in.

Gotcha!


Well, if anyone out there has tried this, please let me know! I'm going to start collecting stuff for it next week.

If you run the propane, you run the risk of burning up your pistons, as a result of high exhaust temperature. If you do this, make sure you get a temp gauge for the exhaust.

Understood. I am planning on being ultra conservative in this area anyhow. Now one problem which I do have though is where to mount the cylinder. In a truck it's easy, but I believe there are laws against this in the passanger compartment...

Much to do...

I'm considering using a small 1lb bottle for a test to see if the full blown system will be worth my time. There are mixed reviews, so this might be the best trial.