I have a 1984 postal surplus jeep. It's drivable, in fact I drive it work every day, but it needs a lot of work done to it. This kind of makes it a good clean slate for, as the kids say, pimpin'.
One of the upgrades I've been considering for it, besides an abusively loud stereo system, is making it biodiesel. Just today I realized the massive information resources right here at DailyKos.
So, who among you has done such a thing, and knows some things about it? Or knows of some really good, detailed resources for finding out more? Let me know, and I'll put together another entry detailing all the info, which will then exist here and in the Dkosopedia for all to share and learn from.
Specific questions below the fold.
Let's say I find a good used Mercedes diesel engine, or something similar, and stick it in. Well, realistically, pay to have it stuck in for me; there's no way I'm handy enough, let alone have the space and the tools to do it right.
-> How much would it cost to have the engine converted to take Biodiesel? Or is this a job that a reasonably handy person can do by himself?
-> Will I have to mix the 'bio' with the 'diesel', to a max of 20/80? And will I have to do this myself, or can I obtain it already done fairly easily? (I live in Los Angeles.)
-> Alternately, could I just buy clean unused soybean oil from Costco or whate'er, and dump it in directly, with no gas-based diesel at all?
-> Is ethanol better, and also relatively easily available in the LA area?
-> Could I use ethanol without changing my current motor - just a standard 4-cylinder Jeep engine that takes regular gas?
-> Those of you who have converted cars to using alternative fuels - how have your experiences been? Please relate away, I'd love to hear 'em.
Thanks much. Who knows, if it seems possible, this may become the first in a series as I make the US surplus Jeep a green warrior of environmental justice.