I just finished reading to the end (Page #2, Post #1 of the thread "Completely Random" where the OP was asking about why/how a multi fuel worked. (For reference, here is a link: Completely Random )
While reading that, and especially Wreckermans response where he said, (Loosely quoted) That perhaps in the not to distant future only multi-fuel Deuces would be on the roads. ("Insinuating" that either fuel would be prohibitively expensive or simply not available at all).
That got me to wondering about ..... the reason for this post. I was going to put it in that thread but I was afraid it would hi-jack it so I made this new one.
So....
If you wanted to take a modern engine and build it into a multi-fuel with more or less the same ability to successfully consume the same "Stuff" that the 60 year old Deuce can, what engine would you start with and what wold you have to do to it?
Along those lines we want this engine to remain as "Stock" as possible so that we can get parts for it. This means that we want to use a donor engine that is more or less readily available, not something that is rare or super expensive. For example, we don't want to use a 1980's Mopar. Yes parts are more or less available but you have to look hard to seek them out where as you can walk into anyplace that claims to sell auto parts and get parts for a Chevy 350.
In the process of building this power plant we want to use as many off the shelf parts as possible, and the more common they are the better. Remember, one of the key goals is to be able to maintain the engine for a long time in the future and keep in mind that normal supply chains my be interrupted/intermittent or even no longer operating at all so the more common and easy to find the parts the better.
The first question in the quest to do this would be do we use a gas or diesel engine as the starting point, and WHY? I am guessing diesel. If that is the case, Then I would ask about the feasibility of using the "Pre-computer" Cummins 5.9 or possibly the 4.? (I can't remember what the 4 cylinder size is). There are plenty of 5.9's around, parts are pretty easily accessible and they seem to be pretty solid, durable and should be able to withstand a fair amount of abuse. (I know the 4 cylinder is smaller and lighter, but are the parts as readily available? Would it make a better choice for our project?)
So, assuming that you do want to start with a diesel and that the 5.9 would be a good diesel choice, what must be done to it to get it to successfully, reliably and non-destructively, (It has to last) provide motive power to a 4x4 or 6x6 wheeled vehicle while using all or most of the same alternative fuels that a multi-fuel Deuce will burn??
Now, all of that said, if the donor choice would be gas over diesel, (Again, based on nothing but commonality and parts availability), what about the Chevy 350?
Is there a choice that would for some reason be far better than the 5.9 or 350? If so, what would you suggest and exactly what makes it a far better more easily adaptable and/or longer lasting choice for this application?
Disclaimer: I did try searching for this but either I used the wrong terms, I'm a retard, or there were no threads discussing it or some combination of the 3.
I am hoping this provides some real open discussion. If I get enough info and it seems feasible, I may (eventually) just try it just to see if it can be (reasonably and successfully) done. It would be pretty easy to build a test stand and run it for awhile to see it it really worked powering a generator or water pump and if so, put it in some vehicle just to see how it does on the road.
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I don't know much about it, but I do know part of the reason the LDT-465 series is so successful at burning multiple types of fuel is the very high compression ratio.
How would you change the compression ratio of an engine? Shorter pistons? Can't imagine even doing that would change it by much.
However... I wonder if you could design a new engine based around a new block with deeper cylinders and use or modify components from other engines.
Dunno how you're going to cast the block tho. Casting that much steel is pretty hard for a backyard setup, I think. Maybe if you could cast it out of aluminum...
You would have to add the two things that make a make a multifuel different from a diesel: the evaporation cup in the top of the piston and the injection stream, not mist, of fuel directed into the cup.
Somthing in a two stroke diesel perhaps.. duetz or detroit diesel
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This is a related thread that I remembered posting to awhile back Modern multifuel redesign? if someone wanted to check it out. This thread is not the same tho. I like the pre computer 5.9 as a starting point like oldman99 had pretty much figured out. Would make a good size engine that is capable of hauling some stuff in a mad max type of world. Also a super fuel efficient choice for basic transportation would be good as well. Like a VW Rabbit diesel type of thing converted to be a multi. (not exactly a good off the shelf choice there)
I dont know all of what it would take to convert 1 to a multi, but there is many ways to increase compression the ratio of an engine. Domed pistons, shaved heads, thinner head gaskets,even engine boring to name a few.
You would have to add the two things that make a make a multifuel different from a diesel: the evaporation cup in the top of the piston and the injection stream, not mist, of fuel directed into the cup.
That's how I understand it. Multifuel 12V 6BT would be pretty rad, but then the only thing you'd gain is the ability to burn gasoline and that's really not such a big deal if the whole point is being able to burn everything else.
"Inventing" a "New Multi-Fuel Engine"
of the thread "Completely Random" where the OP was asking about why/how a multi fuel worked. (For reference, here is a link: 
