need help with natural gas E-250

[MANTUS]

I had a car dealer sell my mustang and i asked him to get me a work van. He found me a 97 E-250 with 35,000 miles and wants 5,500 for it. He said since i am so cool with him he will give me a better deal since that was more than i was looking to spend. He said the van was owned by an electric company and they must not have used it much and He tells me the van runs on natural gas but he'll convert it to regular gas for me. I'm just worried that the motor is now used to natural gas and won't run as good on regular gas and i really don't even know how complicated it will be to convert and i'm also worried they may not know how to do it properly. Should i worry and can someone explain what it takes to convert and anything else i should know? thanks

[ModMech]

A '97 for $5500 and CNG? NO WAY. Maybe $3500.

How far do you drive it per day or week? If you can buy it cheaply enough, you can get a fill station for about $1000-$1500 and install it at your home. It will fill automatically overnight. The only catch is, you obviously NEED to have natural gas at your home or place of business.

I would certainly do this over converting it.

[MANTUS]

Originally Posted by ModMech

A '97 for $5500 and CNG? NO WAY. Maybe $3500.

How far do you drive it per day or week? If you can buy it cheaply enough, you can get a fill station for about $1000-$1500 and install it at your home. It will fill automatically overnight. The only catch is, you obviously NEED to have natural gas at your home or place of business.

I would certainly do this over converting it.

Why $5500 is too much? What do you mean by CNG? They are converting it to regualr gas now and then im taking it to a car dealership where my mother works and the managerwho i know said he would look it over with a fine tooth comb. Tell me why i shouldn't get it. It does only have 3500 miles but one thing im concerned about. They told me it was a 4.9 V6 like the one i have now but the 1st time i saw it i noticed the hood was longer than mine and the body looked raised like maybe heavier shocks. I went to see it a second time(last i saw it)with my wife while the place was closed(just passing by)and i noticed it said Triton V8 on the side of the hood where the motor is. Why would they tell me it is a V6? I don't know either so that why i am having the dealer(not connected with these guys selling me the van)check it completely. I will know soon enough but i'd appreciate any more info you do have for me. thanks

[ModMech]

A '97 Econoline was NEVER offered with a Natural Gas (CNG) V-6 engine from all the documents that I have seen. They were, and still are, available with a 4.6L or 5.4L V-8 engine.

You CANNOT "just convert" to gasoline operation. The engine computer, emissions certifications, complete fuel system, some fuel wiring are COMPLETELY different. You are looking at at LEAST $2000 in parts alone, plus about 40 hours of labor to make it run on gasoline.

Used CNG vehicles are basically worthless, unless, like me, you are willing to purchase a CNG fill station and fill at your home (very safe and inexpensive). If you only have LP (propane), you can easily convert to that.

[MANTUS]

Originally Posted by ModMech

A '97 Econoline was NEVER offered with a Natural Gas (CNG) V-6 engine from all the documents that I have seen. They were, and still are, available with a 4.6L or 5.4L V-8 engine.

You CANNOT "just convert" to gasoline operation. The engine computer, emissions certifications, complete fuel system, some fuel wiring are COMPLETELY different. You are looking at at LEAST $2000 in parts alone, plus about 40 hours of labor to make it run on gasoline.

Used CNG vehicles are basically worthless, unless, like me, you are willing to purchase a CNG fill station and fill at your home (very safe and inexpensive). If you only have LP (propane), you can easily convert to that.

Well they said they are converting it before they sell it to me so i won't have to pay anything for the convertion unless of course i pay the 5500 and thats way too much in the 1st place. Im thinking more and more that this isn't a good idea to get this van.... I see They are very unrealiable people so i just may not deal with them at all. thanks

[MANTUS]

I bought it for 5500 and it runs great. It runs and looks almost brand new. it's real fast too. I'm glad the guy gave it to me for such a good price. thanks for all repys