Quote:
Originally Posted by LostCause
Your car is a neat project. I think it's fascinating watching an old, conventional restoration. That engine bay is cavernous! 
I believe gas engines are only ~30% efficient. Turbo-compounded diesels have reached ~46%, but they are about the most efficient of internal combustion engines.
I'm not too familiar with older engines, but I think your % gains seem a little optimistic. Your biggest gain from modifying the engine would probably come from increasing the CR, as I bet it is really low (6.5:1?). I've only seen water injection applied to heavily boosted/high CR engines (e.g. WWII aircraft), but I suppose it might work alongside advanced timing.
The hydrogen generator will probably be a waste of time. I've never seen one work and I can only conceive of it helping raise a fuel's octane number. I think you'll see the biggest gains by modifying driving style and sticking to more conventional tactics first.
I look forward to seeing the rest of the restoration. 
- LostCause |
It is a low compression at 8.4:1 (Factory Specs). Here's where I'm starting with a water injection system:
http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel_...earth/me3.html
Here's how I'll get the engine a bit more efficient
:
http://www.classicinlines.com/AlumOverview.asp
And!!!! Since I've done this before on a 1975 Chrysler Town & Country 440 CID with great results, I'm thinking of doing a fuel vapouriser like this one:
Yep, that's my car. We bought this Farimont Squire, while we lived in Guadalajara, until we moved back to Canada.
http://jabi.com/store/jbp-1729m.html
Or the Carl Cella system like this:
I've heard that he's way too optimistic about his results. Who cares about MPG, if the fuel is free?
http://www.hasslberger.com/tecno/hydrogen.html
And I've got another idea to collect the humidity from the air (turbo-charger or air pump), condense it to water state, electrolyse it and then run it into the fuel system. That way I won't carry any water (which freezes in -40F)
or Hydrogen gas cells that could send me to the here-after, before my time.
Like you said, its cavernous under the hood. Lots of experiment room and mostly on the side without exhaust manifolds or heater hoses.
If I don't try, I'll kick my own butt. If I succeed, I'll kick the OilCo's butt.
