Date: Sun, 21 Apr 2002 23:19:15 EDT
Reply-To: FrankGRUN@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Frank Grunthaner <FrankGRUN@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: On Conversion Engine Reliability
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
In a message dated 4/21/02 7:19:45 PM, warmerwagen@hotmail.com writes:
<< Frank-Could you please elaborate on the starter heat shield?
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Robert, on one occasion, I stopped the Vanagon after a hard run and was
checking the hydraulic slave cylinder on the clutch when I touched the
starter and burned my hand. The hydraulic cylinder was also very hot. I got
to thinking about the temperatures there and decided to check my last starter
core (I always kept a core to exchange at the rebuilder so I only had to
disable the system once per failure event. Anyway, I disassembled the starter
and solenoid. Saw the burnt contacts on the solenoid starter posts but also
found dry caked lube everywhere. Also saw solder bits from the armature and
deep wear grooves on brushes and commutator. I took the unit to an old fossil
who used to own a rebuilding shop. He looked at it, ran his fingers over some
of the lacquered wires and said "this thing has been toasted!" Anyway, I went
online and bought a chevy cloth heat shield from Summit Racing. A little cut
and fit and done!
------
Also- here's a tip- switch to a 84 or later gas tank. I had similar problems
to yours and switched to the later tank because it has an improved pickup
screen the old Diesel tank and the others of the early Vanagon years pick the
fuel up from a wide screened pick-up that also sucks up rust and crud.
The improved later design is a cylindrical screen that goes up the center of
the tank and is less likely to clog. I must have gained 3 hp doing this
upgrade.
My Diesel tank was so bad I had to swap the return line for the outlet.
Finally, fuel would not flow out either side of the tank and I had to replace
it.
------
Great tip! If ever I have to drop that GD thing again, I'll swap it out!
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If you run out of gas , you can remove the cover on the fuel pump relay and
operate it manually to prime the fuel rail. It is next to impossible to prime
by turning the key on and off. One of these days I'll install a switch. (aybe
a button on the side of the relay!)
---------
Aagh, I installed the fuel pump over-ride switch when I first did the
conversion! I also use the digifant fuel accumulator with filter and pump. I
only use the Vanagon pump as a pre-pump!
--------
I have wondered if using the Digifant 2 fuel accumulator with pre-pump would
solve the
prime problem? >>
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Never had a prime problem!
Frank Grunthaner
