1950 Chevrolet Truck

Restoration and Unleaded/Natural

Gas Conversion Project

Project Objectives

• Our mission is to focus on the education and promotion of

automotive and practical energy solutions for students who

can impact those fields through research and development

• To provide design and hands-on mechanical experience to

TCU Engineering Students

• To provide experience to those students interested in an

automotive career

System Design Specifications

• Provide natural gas tank (approximately 15 equivalent gallons) for truck to travel 200 miles

• Provide unleaded gas tank (approximately 15 gallons) for truck to travel 200 miles

• System to allow automatic switch to unleaded gas as natural gas is expended as well as manual switching overrides for either fuels

• Need to specify where to inject the gas – above the carburetor, into each cylinder via intake manifold or directly into the cylinder as well as changes to engine to account for unleaded gas (hardened valve seats) and natural gas (valve seat recession)

System Design Specifications (Continued)

• Driver instrumentation to include system performance

(temperature, oil pressure, estimated mileage until fuel

expended for both fuel sources)

• Design test instrumentation to monitor performance

parameters (not necessary to install on truck)

Project Status• Truck dismantled

• Frame sandblasted, primed and painted

• New battery box riveted to frame

• Suspension installed with new bearings, pins and shock

absorbers – torqued to factory specifications

• Wheel kingpins replaced and wheel bearings regreased and

installed

• Brake system installed and bled with new wheel cylinders,

lines, pads, springs master cylinder, parking brake lines,

tinnerman nuts and hardware as required

• Steering box rebuilt

Project Status (Continued)

• Steering column painted (not installed – awaiting upper

bearing)

• Steering ball joints and rod ends repaired and installed

• Differential cleaned and greased

• Rear seals replaced

• All zert plugs greased

• Body at paint – paint color – Bright Red – in work

• Wheels painted and tires mounted

• Transmission rebuilt and painted

• Engine rebuilt

• Carburetor, fuel filter and fuel pump rebuilt

Project Status (Continued)

• Awaiting space and tools at TCU before transferring truck

• Near-term activities

– Complete steering box installation (awaiting upper seal – part ordered)

– Need to inventory parts – prepare list of shortages

– New parts needed• Bed and sidesteps

• Wood for bed

• Glass, interior

• Wiring harness

• Instruments

• Etc.

– Fuel system awaiting design• Design location and size for unleaded fuel tank

• Design location for natural gas fuel tanks (tanks at TCU, but require recertification)

Pictures

Key to Success

• Student lead Project

• Project leader is Philip Anderson

• Leads assigned for key project activities:– Marketing

– Fundraising

• Need a fundraiser – goal of $100,000 per year

– Web Site Development

– Photographer

– Etc.

• Need to develop formal plan/schedule

• TCU and Professors to assist

Questions/Discussion