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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: captain caffeine on August 28, 2008, 12:42:57 PM

Title: 1978 giilig bus conversion to biodiesel
Post by: captain caffeine on August 28, 2008, 12:42:57 PM
My son is living in Vermont and converting a 1978 diesel gillig to biodiesel.  He and some friends are then driving to San Fransico.  Any thoughts to help him along?
???
Thanks,
Captain Caffeine
Title: Re: 1978 giilig bus conversion to biodiesel
Post by: kyle4501 on August 28, 2008, 02:06:57 PM
Take several fuel filters & the tools required to change them along with a drain pan & a fuel can so you can prefill the filters when you install them. Bio will clean the old gunk out of the tanks & lines & the filters may fill up faster than you're expecting.
Title: Re: 1978 giilig bus conversion to biodiesel
Post by: HB of CJ on August 28, 2008, 02:20:43 PM
Also depends upon the particular type of Diesel mill the Gillig has.  Is it a mid engine model or a rear engine type?  That year they used 2-stroke Detroits and small and big Cam Cummins mills.  The Cummins might work with a blend of bio-diesel because of the nature and type of fuel injection employeed.  Dunno about the Detroit.  Good luck.  :) :) :)
Title: Re: 1978 giilig bus conversion to biodiesel
Post by: RTS/Daytona on August 28, 2008, 04:16:40 PM
do you really mean -

VEGGIE OIL CONVERSION - (either waste or straight off the shelf)??

or Homemade Biodiesel from veggie oil??

or Commercial biodiesel ??
Title: Re: 1978 giilig bus conversion to biodiesel
Post by: NJT 5573 on August 29, 2008, 09:42:30 PM
Vermont to California?

My advice is for them to stop at the Flying J when they need fuel. Do they have a 500 gallon tank?

That Gillig will do real well on genuine diesel fuel. Last trip to Cal I met an undercover police type, wanted to talk all about alternative fuels with me, seems to be some kind of fuel tax issue. He lost interest after I told him what a great fuel #2 diesel is. Engines really like it too.

Dependability/simplicity dictates #2. I would have to be beyond destitute to start brewing fuel.

That said, my daughters billionaire boyfriend wants to do the samething for a run to South America. I don't get it. Where is he going to get this cheap brew in Mexico? Maybe it will run on cold beer.
Title: Re: 1978 giilig bus conversion to biodiesel
Post by: JohnEd on August 31, 2008, 11:28:54 PM
Bio D will run in any D and do it real well.  Make sure there is no copper fuel lines and RUBBER is a definite NO NO.  Bio is available all across the country and B10 thru B50 is everywhere.  Yes it will clean out yuor tank and lines and you should carry spare filters and know how to install one quickly and of course how to not lose prime.  Might want to install one of those cheapo fuel pumps at the tank to simplify priming.

Bio is not WVO.  WVO works only with the old mechanical injestors and it seems the engines you describe are just that.

HTH,

John