?diy svo powerstroke conversion? - Diesel Forum

josiahsupertramp · 04-15-2007, 04:23 AM

has anyone done a diy svo powerstroke conversion? and if so can you tell me about it? how much it cost? where i can get plans? how involved is it?

2300 is just way to much for veggiestroke kit.
i did the svo conversion on my 93 7.3 for only about 300.

Abbey · 04-17-2007, 09:00 AM

Its really not much different than any other diesel ! Two tanks one for diesel and the other heated for wvo . I removed the stock fuel filter and regulator and installed a good after market fuel filter close to each tank with a electric fuel pump to help push the fuel through so as to not put too much stress on the mechanical pump.The filter on the wvo side is heated with engine coolant going to the tank heater. From the pulock valve I went to the low pressure side of the mechanical fuel pump .From there its stock until it comes out of the return ports on the engine where I teed it and went to a good after market fuel regulator (set at 60 lb. pressure) From there it goes back to the return side of the pulock valve. (I learned this the hard way) its called trial and error. I have probably left out something but some one will catch it!

snbgreen · 05-29-2007, 11:34 PM

what type of diesel filter did you go with?
Did you find a good lift pump that works in the winter?
I have a 97 E 350 7.3, any tips?

Abbey · 05-30-2007, 03:57 AM

I used a luberfiner 1000 .I bought the head and filter at freightliner .I mounted it through the floor next to the trans.I have a small electric fuel pump that helps pump the oil through the filter mounted on the frame .I'm still looking for a pump that can last ,I'm trying a new one now.

snbgreen · 05-31-2007, 02:39 PM

Abby,
you told me, you have a fuel pressure regulator, and said -
"It needs a higher fuel pressure, and that's how I hold 70lb. of pressure on it"

But I thought the fuel pump only pumps 5 PSI, so why does the return line need to have 70lb of pressure pushing towards the rear tank??

Thanks for the help
Jeff

Abbey · 06-01-2007, 09:04 AM

First what are you trying to convert? I'm talking about a ps. The pressure regulator holds 70lbs. pressure before it and lets any pressure more than that return to the tank.The small electric fuel pump I'm talking about is to help push the fuel through the remote fuel filter to the stock fuel pump. Hope this clears this up a little!

ToddT · 06-01-2007, 09:42 AM

Abbey, I tried the small pump to push the oil through the filters so as to take the load off the stock pump... and went through a couple of pusher pumps and a couple of stock fuel pumps. I can't decide if the stock fuel pump doesn't like to be force-fed or if it just can't handle the heat.

I'm about to go Vegistroke style and the two fuel separate main pumps (one for diesel, one for WVO) and have a Mallory 110fi but have heard they don't hold up either. I just can't afford one of the new FASS pumps specially built for grease offered by Jason at Vegistroke... but I'm saving up for it.

As for the stock 99.5 - 2003 stock fuel pump, I talked with a tech guy at Carter and he said it just can't handle the heat. Its just not that robust a pump. That said, I have one two friends here who have been running grease through their stock pumps for a couple of years during which time I ran through two or three. Too many variables to diagnose but I'm going to leave the stock pump for diesel only.

Todd

snbgreen · 06-01-2007, 07:11 PM

Abby,
Thank you for the info, I've read many ways to do this and I like the way you did yours. How Long have you had the WVO and diesel run throught the stock pump assisted by a small pump.

I have a 97 E350 7.3 Diesel / about to convert any day now.

Thanks

Abbey · 06-02-2007, 07:59 AM

I started with the fordnut system and found that the 300 dollar electric pumps could not hold up so I put the stock mechanical fuel pump back on about 2 years ago and have been going strong ever sense. I had the small electric pumps on from o'reilly and they gave me my money back and said they were bad and would not sell them any more. I'm now trying I believe its called a foss I bought off e-bay for 24 dollars. Toddt can you put a mechanical fuel pump on your truck I think it would hold up better than the stock electric fuel pump on your truck? I had a stock electric on my van and took it back off and put the mechanical one back on.This is something I think every one should have on their system is a vacuum gauge between the fuel filter and the stock fuel pump so you can tell what is going on with your system .This is the most important thing I put on mine.It will give you a real education on what is going on !

Spotty · 06-03-2007, 12:35 PM

The Powerstroke has no provisions for a mechanical pump. I have gone through 3 stock electric pumps. 1 before I put a system in my truck and 2 pumps for the system. The money I spent on pumps I couldve bought the FASS. I'll be purchasing one from Jason very shortly.

snbgreen · 06-03-2007, 02:14 PM

Abby,
my 97 E350 Power Stroke has metal fuel lines, did you deal with tapping into metal fuel lines?

If so HOW did you tap into the fuel lines and where did you put your 3 way port for the supply line?

Tight quarters in the E350!

Any Photos?

Thanks Jeff

Abbey · 06-04-2007, 09:12 AM

I used compression fittings to tap into my metal fuel lines and I used a 6 port pollack valve and you can mount it where it works best for you.Spothead my 98 has a small freeze plug in the center of the valley and that is where the stock mechanical pump is mounted. I believe the newer ones still have this but I haven't seen one so you will have to check.

snbgreen · 06-04-2007, 04:16 PM

Abby you mentioned in a earlier post that "I removed the stock fuel filter and regulator"

1.I understand why you removed the Stock Fuel Filter but why the stock fuel regulator?

2.where is the stock fuel regulator located? pre injection or post injection?

3.what brand fuel regulator did you put on the return line?

Jeff

Abbey · 06-04-2007, 07:57 PM

The stock fuel regulator is a part of your fuel filter .I used a sx regulator (I think) its under the dog house and I don't want to take it off to be sure. Just get a good brand

fordnut74 · 06-04-2007, 10:39 PM

[ QUOTE ]
has anyone done a diy svo powerstroke conversion? and if so can you tell me about it? how much it cost? where i can get plans? how involved is it?

2300 is just way to much for veggiestroke kit.
i did the svo conversion on my 93 7.3 for only about 300.

[/ QUOTE ]

Anymore that is like asking what tastes better, Vanilla or Chocalate. But I know better, Strawberry is best [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]. Anyway, these truck are very well suited to converting. The chance of anything catostrophic happening is very very remote. For these trucks it is about reliability over the long haul. As you know, you will need a seperate WVO tank. And I recommend that at all costs you have a completely second fuel system for the Oil. Pump, filter, regulator and return. This ensures that if something goes wrong in the middle of the Mojave, you can make it home. Or at least to the nearest town. You can use Pollack valves, pressure override, or even Manual valves if you are really cheap to switch between systems. What these guys are saying is true about the stock pump. It can not handle WVO. Not ALL have failed, but most have. The Fass pump made by Diesel Performance Products is the ONLY pump currently on the market that can handle WVO for any length of time, and is Warrantied for 2 years with oil. The WVO specific pump is expensive though. A bare bones pump can be had for a less than the pump kit. We have been testing and having great luck with the smaller non-WVO specific pump, but as of yet, it is not warrantied for use with WVO. But can be had for about another 100 less than the WVO version, which simply has a bigger motor.

Bottom line, to go through the stock pump or filter you are only inviting trouble.