prestolite gas
Forum rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
If you need help logging in, or have question about how something works, use the Support forum located here Support Forum
Complete set of Forum Rules Forum Rules
-
Topic author - Posts: 10
- Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2019 7:45 am
- First Name: Condon
- Last Name: Story
- Location: Nevada, MO
prestolite gas
when I was a kid we had a model T and dad run the head lights on prestolite gas because you didn't have to clean the acetylene tank after use. I have never heard any body talk about this on the forum. fill me in on what the good and the bad of this. I checked with the local welding supplier and this is still available and they have the tank also
-
- Posts: 121
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 2:41 pm
- First Name: Anthonie
- Last Name: Boer
- Location: Klaaswaal NL
- MTFCA Number: 19790
Re: prestolite gas
Prestolite gas , is that the same as Acetyleen gas ??
Toon
Toon
-
- Posts: 848
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:39 am
- First Name: Tim
- Last Name: Juhl
- Location: Thumb of Michigan
- MTFCA Number: 50297
- MTFCI Number: 24810
Re: prestolite gas
Prestolite pioneered the process of compressing Acetylene gas and storing it in cylinders.
1917 Touring
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
1946 Aeronca Champ
1952 Willys M38a1 Jeep
1953 Ford Jubilee Tractor
-
- Posts: 2802
- Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2019 1:57 pm
- First Name: Mark
- Last Name: Gregush
- Location: Portland Or
- Board Member Since: 1999
Re: prestolite gas
Prestolite was the company that made and supplied most of the bottled gas tanks used on cars and trucks using gas head lights. The gas was/is acetylene compressed and stored in the Prestolite tanks and was made by water dripping on calcium carbide. This is the same gas made in the tanks original used that had to be cleaned. In the case of the question asked, "gas" would not be a Prestolite specific item. https://www.google.com/search?newwindow ... G0Q4dUDCAw
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas!
1925 Cut down pickup
1920 Dodge touring
1948 Ford F2 pickup

1925 Cut down pickup
1920 Dodge touring
1948 Ford F2 pickup
-
- Posts: 121
- Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2019 2:41 pm
- First Name: Anthonie
- Last Name: Boer
- Location: Klaaswaal NL
- MTFCA Number: 19790
Re: prestolite gas
Tim , and Mark ,
Thank you very much .
Toon
Thank you very much .
Toon
-
- Posts: 148
- Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2019 11:28 am
- First Name: Kenneth
- Last Name: Parker
- Location: Houston, Texas
Re: prestolite gas
The tank you're looking for is a 40-cubic foot acetylene "B" tank with the valve offset of center.
I find them mixed in with regular acetylene "B" tanks at the local welding supply houses, Airgas and Praxair.
You can lay these tanks horizontal on your running board with the valve at "12 o'clock".
The tank mounts in either strap type, or forged brackets, attached to the running board.
I use the forged type brackets....
The "good".....
The gas is clean and won't foul your burners, light your headlights in about two minutes with no cleanup
when your through driving. Just close the tank valve and the lights go out in about 10 to 15 seconds..done.
The "B" tank lasts twenty-four hours with 3/4 burners. That is a lot of night driving!
Cost to refill a "B" tank is about 1/4th the cost of carbide rocks to create the same amount of acetylene.
I just drive the T over and swap tanks when I need one
Maybe someone can post the strap type that was often furnished by Prest-O-Lite.
I find them mixed in with regular acetylene "B" tanks at the local welding supply houses, Airgas and Praxair.
You can lay these tanks horizontal on your running board with the valve at "12 o'clock".
The tank mounts in either strap type, or forged brackets, attached to the running board.
I use the forged type brackets....

The "good".....

The gas is clean and won't foul your burners, light your headlights in about two minutes with no cleanup
when your through driving. Just close the tank valve and the lights go out in about 10 to 15 seconds..done.
The "B" tank lasts twenty-four hours with 3/4 burners. That is a lot of night driving!
Cost to refill a "B" tank is about 1/4th the cost of carbide rocks to create the same amount of acetylene.
I just drive the T over and swap tanks when I need one
Maybe someone can post the strap type that was often furnished by Prest-O-Lite.
-
- Posts: 3308
- Joined: Fri Jan 04, 2019 10:51 am
- First Name: Richard
- Last Name: Eagle
- Location: Idaho Falls, ID
- MTFCA Number: 1219
- Contact:
Re: prestolite gas
FWIW "Prest-O-Lite was the breakthrough product that propelled the fortunes of Indianapolis Motor Speedway founders Carl Fisher and James Allison to elite levels."
https://www.firstsuperspeedway.com/arti ... est-o-lite
https://www.firstsuperspeedway.com/arti ... est-o-lite
When did I do that?