Date:         Fri, 26 Apr 2002 08:38:04 -0500
Reply-To:     Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stan Wilder <wilden1@JUNO.COM>
Subject:      Re: '83 Vanagon
Comments: To: khowe@OMNINET.NET.AU
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Don't let these Waser Boxer guys take dump on your brain.
The little Type IV 2000cc air-cooled will push a heavy Vanagon type Westy
at 70 mph easily on the flats with moderate winds.
I'll admit it is all relative to the condition of your engine.
Tuning is important, get your timing, dwell, fuel/air mixture right and
your in the final stages of running great.
I've found that the State Inspection requirements will cause problems.
Clean your spark plugs, make a fifty mile highway run. The spark plugs
should be the color of coffee with cream, if they aren't then clean them
again and make some minor adjustments (AFM adjustment screw : Screw it in
= richer, screw it out = Leaner). Running rich or lean can be related to
vacuum leaks, poor ignition wires, burnt distributor cap contacts so
check everything and shoot for that spark plug burn color of coffee with
cream and that is about as close as you're going to get.
Another lean burn symptom is leaking lower injector seals, they get hard
and look ok but have shrunk and leak.
VW pretty much gave us the super tune specs as standard settings, going
away from these settings can cause poor performance, detonation,
overheating conditions.
I'd recommend a Tachometer, Cylinder head temp gauge and an oil pressure
gauge along with an oil temperature gauge. These gauges will keep you
advised of dangers in overworking your engine. (Gauges are just
guidelines, common sense is the rule).
If you're more comfortable running at 55 mph then stick to your guns.
Your engine develops its peak horse power between 2600 and 3500 rpms and
I think mine likes 3300
Rpms best and that is 70 mph (seat of the pants feeling).
Run your oil level about 1/8" below the Max Fill mark, it'll run cooler
(I had to prove this to myself and it works). I was told that the upper
mark was the MAX and had always filled and maintained it there. It is
best to check your oil after the van has set for at least 15 minutes to
avoid over filling.
P-mail for any thing else you need.

Stan Wilder
83 Air Cooled Westfalia

On Wed, 24 Apr 2002 05:53:22 +0800 Kim Howe <khowe@OMNINET.NET.AU>
writes:
> On Tuesday, April 23, 2002, at 01:32 PM, Terry K. wrote:
>
> > James,
> >
> > Sounds like a neat Van-but the air cooled ing for a long haul
> could
> > cause allot of adventure's en-route.
> > Especially if you push it---
> >
> > If you want to cruise at 50 mph all the way back and forth to
> assure
> > your return--go for it---
>
> Sheesh, it's a Vanagon, not a 59 split with a 36 horsepower.
>
> > For the long haul, regarless of the H20 headaches--you'd be much
> better
> > off----you at least cruise at 70 all day without hurting the
> engine--- (
> > straight and level, no big hills or headwinds )
>
> The aircooled will happily do this too. You should fit some decent
> temp
> guages and realise that you can't just drive it flat out up
> mountains in
> extremely hot weather without running into some trouble. Get the
> engine
> checked out, and an oil pressure and cylinder head temp gauge fitted
> and
> you will be fine.
>
> Kim Howe
> 82 Aircooled
> khowe@omninet.net.au
>
>

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