Hello everybody, hope i'm in the right place. Just joined the forum because of an issue im dealing with. I am trying to replace a kawasaki fx801 engine on an Exmark 60" mower. I came across a great deal on an FX850 engine, so I pulled the trigger. Well it finally shows up and its a dang LP conversion! :thumbdown: I could send it back to the tune of about $350-400 after all shipping charges and 15% restock fee. What I'd really like to do is just keep it and put a carb on it since the return shipping/restocking is so high. So my question is, is this a standard fx850 engine on the inside with just a LP carburetor, or are there internal changes that would make the carb swap a bad idea?
Somebody....PLease....and thank you.
#2
cpurvis
I don't know for sure but I think the only difference in the engine is the fuel system.
I'm basing this on my experience with a 1-ton Chevy truck that was converted to LP. Actually, it was dual fuel--it could run on LP or gasoline. We usually started it on gasoline, then switched to propane after a few minutes, then switched back to gas a the end of the day.
It had noticeably less power on propane but propane was much cheaper than gas and the oil stayed very clean.
So I think all you have to do is replace the propane induction system with a gasoline system.
Or, you could hang a propane cylinder on the mower somewhere.
I hope you're right. I've seen a generic picture of a propane conversion kit online somewhere and it looked like just the fuel related parts. Really trying to find out for sure on this exact engine before ordering the $400 carburetor.
#4
cpurvis
Check into the option of running on propane, too. It might be cheaper and the engine will love it.
#5
Boudreaux In Eunice La.
If I had a propane engine on a riding mower I would make a tray for a 2 1/2 or 5 gallon bottle on the back and let her rip...
Think about it propane it is cheaper and cleaner, also no carb issues after sitting 3 months......
#6
EngineMan
I to would keep the gas system but there is no difference in the engine apart from the gasoline system.
Thanks for the responses. I don't know where you guys live, but here in South Alabama propane runs about 50 cents more per gallon than 87 octane. Not to mention the hassle it seems like it would be. Not nearly as many places sell propane than gas, and you cant just pull up to the pump and fill a propane tank up. Maybe I'm wrong? Anyway, thanks for the reassurance that there are no internal differences in the engines. Think im gonna try to order a gasoline carb for it.
#8
7394
Up here in Tennessee I only use 100% gas. Easy to get, & the mowers like it very much.
So you run propane? How do you fill the tanks? And right now gasoline is 2.45 a gallon and propane is 3.09 a gallon. Seems like it would end up costing money to run propane. This guy is gonna be running this thing 8 hrs a day.
So you run propane? How do you fill the tanks? And right now gasoline is 2.45 a gallon and propane is 3.09 a gallon. Seems like it would end up costing money to run propane. This guy is gonna be running this thing 8 hrs a day.
So you run propane? How do you fill the tanks? And right now gasoline is 2.45 a gallon and propane is 3.09 a gallon. Seems like it would end up costing money to run propane. This guy is gonna be running this thing 8 hrs a day.
No, I stated I use 100% gas, meaning NOT the E-10 corn gasoline.
#12
Boudreaux In Eunice La.
I agree with Engine Man on propane running longer than gasoline.......
For instance look at all the forklifts running on propane.... I do know that it's not a issue because of running them inside of a building for exhaust fumes.... That means propane burns cleaner and the engine runs better also....... No carb problems with varnish and gumming up.......
"gas" is a very broad term which also includes propane gas. But thanks for clarifying. The guy I'm putting the motor on for has a fleet of about 20 mowers which all run on gasoline, so I don't think he's interested in having one propane mower. But thanks everyone for the input.
I've done a few LP conversions on Kohlers over the years. We used an Impco two stage regulator from AllGas industries between the tank and the gaseous carburetor. One thing to remember about LP is not to run a rich condition on the mixture because it might overheat the cylinder head. LP fuel doesn't have as many BTU's as gasoline per volume so you might see a slight drop in horsepower but mostly unnoticeable on most applications.
:thumbdown: I could send it back to the tune of about $350-400 after all shipping charges and 15% restock fee. 
