LPG and 280 M110 valve seats ?

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jonnyboy
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Hi guys

I've been following a thread about LPG on another forum where the consensus is that the M110 cannot take LPG because of its valve seats?

Sure we've loads of guys running LPG, has anyone had bother, or seem evidence for or against?

Friend (net) of mine has a spare LPG kit he wants to use on an early w124 estate........

And I've 2x 280 LWB's .... :lol:

peter perfect
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Re: LPG and 280 M110 valve seats ?

I hd it on my 280, 150,000 on the clock and had no problems. However you need to look at it longterm, both the LPG conversio and the fact that you may burn the valve seats out. But with the 280 and 230 the valve guide seals are a common problem, so if these havent been done yet and whilst you in onwership of the G, when or if they evntually need doing then you can kill 2 birds with one stone and re-seat valve or insert hardned seats. either way a valve guide seal repairs involves remving the head and getting it skimmed so while its off you may as well go the whole hog.

Again depends on wether you are in it for the long haul with you 280's, or end up going for a 463 V8 when they come up for silly money. I'm waiting for the later.

I have a LPG kit for a 280 minus the tank if your interested.

Russ280
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Re: LPG and 280 M110 valve seats ?

In theory your 280 has hardened valve seats as it will run on unleaded. I say theory because ford zetecs self destruct pretty quickly on lpg and they of course also run on unleaded. Its actually quite a good test question to ask an installer if he can convert say a 2000 mondeo. If he says yes with no reference to possible valve problems walk away.

There is a device that injects lubricant in to the intake, I think its maybe called flash lube that you could get installed. LPG is dry compared to petrol which is, well wet, hence no lubrication of the valves. Not expensive, maybe around £60 for the parts.

Russ

Russ280
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Re: LPG and 280 M110 valve seats ?
jonnyboy
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Re: LPG and 280 M110 valve seats ?

Peter P yes i may be interested pm me please :wink:

G Spot
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Re: LPG and 280 M110 valve seats ?

As far as valves/seats burning out,one solution would be water injection.
It can be set up so that some of the mist is used to cool the 'pot' down.
A friend of mine did this and he had an adjustment setting inside the cabin which regulated the amount.
You could see the engine temp drop. You had to make sure it didnt cool to much as the temp has to be high enough to be 'running temp'. He was running lpg.

WI is also good as a cheaper version of an intercooler if you have a turbo....but with no intercooler.

I have a friend who races a RX7 and has WI on it. He has turned up the boost (2psi)so that he gains an extra 50hp with no damage to the engine whatsoever. To get that amount of extra power for just one mod is good.

Also "Dieselmax" the land speed record holder for a diesel engine used WI. They had preasure of 5 bar with 2 stage turbos. 5 bar = 75 psi.
They couldnt have done that without WI.

Pistonhead
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Re: LPG and 280 M110 valve seats ?

I have been under the impression that the 280GE engine is already fitted with harder seats, hence these could be able to run on unleaded fuel by a mere ignition timing adjustment. I believe this is valid on models after 1984.

The M110 engine should be able to run on LPG.

One crucial factor for cars runing on LPG is to make sure the valve clearences are correctly adjusted and checked regularly as per service schedules. It goes to say also, the ignition timing and fuel mixtures are set up properly and regularly checked.

Talking to an LPG trainer/installer reiterates these issues.