Ok I will admit this is my first time in the Ford forum...

Searching has not yeilded the answer yet so here goes the question

I have been replacing the 5.0 motor in my wifes 1990 Bronco, and well I have been toying with the idea of converting it to propane like I did with my Jeep.

My concern is "ignition" If any one here has done this swap what, have you done for an ignition system?

I keep thinking that I could use the stock dist and purchase an aftermarket ignition sensor but I have not seen any info on this.

OK 39 views no ideas, ok well I got an e-mail back from the Propane guy (Roy) and I only have part of the answer so far.

He says they use a 5908 computer to handle all that...on the EFI set up. This system shuts off the fuel to the injectors and changes the timing

Well I was going to strip the EFI intake etc so, my question remains about the electronics. What to do if you strip the 50lbs of efi stuff off and just run a simple intake and propane carb?

A. Purchase new distributor and go to completely different electronics or?
B. Is there a way to use the existing dist and modify the existing electronics to work?

Hmm I feel some what alone here.

I found out more about the 5908 computer it can trick the EFI computer in to thinking everything is hunky dorry so the exsiting electronics will work. Looks like I can do the whole swap for about 800 bucks and be able to run duel system or stand alone propane.

So it looks like the computer can hide the fact that there isnt as much hooked up anymore, if I strip the EFI plenums and run a standard intake.

So thanks for all of your help... oh wait ... :)

well you are playing with a propane conversion that is non typical I am guessing you have limited funds is why you didn't go with the system the was designed for the truck I am thinking a standard carb intake will fit the efi 302 so you can strip all the efi stuff out of the truck then just get a electronic distrubutor for a 302 mid seventy version would work fine about 45 bucks at the parts store then build the harnness that goes between the dizzy and duraspark blue gromment brain box about 20 bucks and wire in power and depending on how crazy you got ripping the guts out of this truck you may need to run new wire to the temp, oil pressure sensors and what ever else you might want to work again good luck and have a good one

Well I can get every thing for 500 bucks that is made to run with the existing EFI equipment, or I can get a propane set up for a NON EFI rig for free. .....

well if it was me I would spend the 5 bills for the correct one
plus it should give the option to run LPG or gas can come in handy when in a area where gas is availible and LPG is not JMO

That is part of it. However I am also in the rebuild phase of this motor and if I build a strait up propane motor, I will want to build it different from a duel fuel or a gas only motor. Hence my investigation.

ah I understand you should have said you were building a engine
I can understand your delima build for gas and drop LPG on it and you lost 20% of your power

hmmm tough well good luck that is a road you going to have to go down on your own I think

Are there any advantages to converting to propane?
I was considering it at one point, only because I heard that you get more power with propane. But ever one else that I have talked to says that you get less power.
Any clear-ifa-cations

if the engine is built to run propane you can expect almost the same power as a gas engine about the same economy thus a little cheaper in fuel cost plus a cleaner burning engine that would typically out last a gas engine if regular maintence is performed oil must be changed on a regular basis due to the moisture build up in it but converting a gas motor to run on LPG you lose about 20% of your power and you economy is about the same so you spend a little less in fuel cost typicaly
not a real motivator for most people to give up 20 % for a few cents cheaper fuel but when you build a engine to run on propane you can boost compresion and advance timing plus a few other things you wouldn't dare do on todays gas as a propane engine becomes almost useless on regular gasoline

Are there high performance propane engines that are designed to fit in a bronco? And are there any special attributes to propane, like diesel you can use propane injection to gain power and gas you can use nos?

well you build your engine around 110 octane instead of 89