Hey listee's, how was everyone's weekend? good I hope. I'm happy to report that my weekend was definetely a fun one, and a load off. let me explain. last july i bought my first vanagon, an 85 GL that I knew needed quite a bit of work, but also knew that I could do it. so i bought it and started in on the task of making it the type of van that I could trust my trip plans as well as my life with. first things first i stripped down the engine to basically a long block. and started building it back up from there completely cleaning the entire air intake system, and replacing every vacuum hose on the vehicle. I then painstakingly cleaned everyinch of the engine compartment as well as the engine, and as i did this took the time to inspect any, and all parts, which were replaced or repaired as necessary. Well along with the freshly polished air intake system, I also had to install a completely new exhaust system minus the catalytic conv. luckily it was still in good shape. i decided to go with all factory pipes on the exhaust. for the extra money i know i can expect a long life out of the exhaust. well next i basically did the same to the transmission, removing axle shafts, cleaning, replacing any seals, rebuilding and repacking cv axles, removing and replacing every bushing or part subject to wear on the entire shifter linkage assembly. i think you get the idea of the care and time i've put into this project. but I basically went over inch of the van incuding radiator, baffle, spare tire area, as well as the dash and all controls. Well like i said i had a happy weekend because me and two buddies drove it down to big sky, in montana to do some snowboarding, and from what i could tell. i would like to gather advice on some aspects of it's performance. do these things soun normal, an thoughts, or suggestions? average cruising speed was about 70 mph the van seemed to want to go about this fast, personality. another thing that surprised me was the mileage, like i said there were three of us with gear, and altogethor weighed probably 700lb's, we were getting somewhere between 230 - 250 miles per tank, does that sound about right and that included one mountain pass each way, a pretty big one. Through the passes it moved at a pretty solid 50 mph in 3rd gear. last concern is that i was experiencing some stalling more often when it was cold but it would do it under both conditions, and it would only stall if it were just idling. Well like i said it was a fun trip and went well. but i would love any thoughts on anything above, particularly any tips or tricks on increasing mileage, and maybe a little more hp out of the 1.9l.I've heard a lot of stories about the vans stalling but i thought that was just with the digifants. Thanks ahead of time for any help. gjpizz |
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