Date:         Sun, 17 Mar 2002 07:24:57 -0700
Reply-To:     "John S. Klun" <jklun@GJ.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "John S. Klun" <jklun@GJ.NET>
Subject:      Re: what kind of gas milage do you see at 75 MPH
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Well- I guess I gotta add my 2 cents brag to this.  My 84GL 1.9
(standard) was rebuilt by Bob Birkholz (Grand Mesa Imports) here in
Delta, CO in October 2000.  I average between 21-24 mpg (even got 25 for
a while) all the time.  I get my best mileage at around 70 mph on the
hilly road between Delta and Grand Junction, CO.  This is my daily
driver and my all around 'truck' on our 'ranch'.  It's overdue for an
oil change and a tune up. (Bob's also rebuilding my 65 Chev PU 350.)  My
GL sits on a pair of Cooper Trendsetters- 215/70/14 (in the rear) and a
pair of unknowns 205/70/14 in the front.  The tires are probably
passenger- the Coopers I used to use on my Aerostar van- around 1600 lbs
per wheel at 35 lbs and are great for limited off road like driving mild
jeep trails 3 miles from the house...  The ride is comfortable- no
rattling- and road shock is absorbed nicely.  In the wind, the GL moves
around a bit but that's probably due to a broken left front stabilizer
bar since an accident (last June) and I haven't gotten it fixed yet.
She surges at idle, the throttle sticks when down shifting and coming to
a stop and I have to tap the pedal to slow the idle down.  I swear that
the engine rebuild has more power than the average GL but Bob keeps
telling me it isn't so.  Now I just gotta save up some cash to have body
work done and repainted, the stabilizer bar replaced, etc.

By the way, Bob is doing a Suburu conversion on a green Westy for
someone from Telluride.  Saw the engine there a coupla days ago.  Bob
works on VWs and Japanese cars.  He used to build racing engines...
need I say more?

Bill Marshall wrote:
>
> Sorry I'm late to add my 2 cents, busy searching for a house in Bradenton,
> Florida....
>        I usually get 21-23 mpg in my '85 with standard 185r14 tires.  I
> usually travel at 75 mph, varying between 70-85.  Of course, I gots me a
> Tiico...........
>
> Bill Marshall
> 85 GL Tiico
> Phoenix>>>Florida