Date:         Wed, 17 Apr 2002 21:26:39 -0500
Reply-To:     Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
Subject:      RX7 Oil cooler update
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

RX7 Oil cooler update
Just to fill those interested in on the efficiency of the RX7 Oil cooler
I recently installed on my Type IV 2000 cc Air Cooled.
First the RX7 cooler always bypasses some oil.
Second step is at 148 degrees it opens the fist port into the oil cooler.
Third step is at about 40 psi the thermostat plunger progresses farther
into the cooler and flows oil into a second set of ports to the cooler.
Forth step is at about 60 psi the thermostat plunger progresses farther
into the cooler and flows oil into a third set of ports to the cooler, at
this point its flowing all oil possible except for a small bypass (used
as an equalizer process, I think).
Now the proof in the pudding.
Once I found that I wasn't going to attend the Every Bus event I decided
to go to Albuquerque NM.
That is basically a 2000 mile round trip from Dallas TX.
This whole trip went down with heavy winds both direct frontal and side
force winds going and coming on the trip.
One of my first events was loosing two hubcaps when I veered over onto
the *wake up stupid* vibrator marks cut into the asphalt shoulder.
This has got to go down as one of the worst driving experiences I've ever
had.
Every truck had that well known Westy lean from wind pressure.
The little Air Cooled engine was a real Trojan working in these adverse
conditions.
There were times when I'd go into hills at 65 and come out in third gear
at 55 mph and 4000 Rpms.
During these hard runs the oil pressure went up to 60+ and the CHT would
jump about 25 degrees (f) but the oil temp pretty well stayed at 210/220
(f). I know that delays are expected before the reading actually goes to
the gauge face but the cooler worked well enough that it pretty much
stayed at the same level for the full 2000 mile trip.
That included all hills, winds and other things that make an Air Cooled
work real hard and overheat.
Texas has fairly short hills with long slow approaches but if you've ever
been up Interstate 25 from El Paso to Albuquerque you know that there are
many radical mountain ramps on this route.
In summary, if you've got an Air Cooled Type IV, I'd recommend the RX7
cooler unless you have a better on either in mind or on your shelf.
Just a brief note ........ The Agilis 61 185x14r tires worked great.

Stan Wilder

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