Date: Thu, 16 Nov 2006 12:09:58 -0800
Reply-To: Raymond Paquette <raymondpaquette@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Raymond Paquette <raymondpaquette@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Aircooled Vanagons
In-Reply-To: <89612337-A0C8-4F2B-B7E0-7D0ACA1F4BAC@pottsfamily.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Once again, I have been educated.
Although, in fact I like to put in as many gauges as I can. It' s just nice
to that everything is doing what it's supposed to. Or to know when it's
not.
Thanks
Raymond
On 11/15/06, Greg Potts <greg@pottsfamily.ca> wrote:
>
> Hi Raymond,
>
> The Type1 (1955 to 1972) and type4 (1972-1983.5) engines have very
> different oil and head temp characteristics. The type1 heats up its
> oil a LOT faster than a type4 will. OTOH, a type4 engine will heat up
> the heads a lot quicker than a type1. Since the vanagon has a type4
> motor, the head temp gauge is the preferred method to maintain
> longevity.
>
> Ask Ben Huot about the value of the CHT gauge... his bus sucked a
> shopping bag into the engine compartment of his 1973 westy and it
> wound up blocking his fresh air intake. When he noticed it the engine
> was already above 500 degrees. If Ben had been relying on an oil temp
> gauge it would have been way too late to save the engine.
>
> I added CHT, Oil pressure, and voltmeter gauges to my aircooled a few
> years ago. All of them have proved invaluable on trips. I also have
> an oil temp gauge and sender, but haven't found a good place to
> install the gauge. Some day, when I get a round tuit.
>
>
> Happy Trails,
>
> Greg Potts
> 1973/74/75/77/79 Westfakia "Bob the Tomato"
> www.pottsfamily.ca/westfakia
> www.busesofthecorn.com
>
>
>
>
> On 15-Nov-06, at 5:42 PM, Raymond Paquette wrote:
>
> > I've had both head and oil temp guages on earlier ('66 and '71)
> > busses, and
> > don't think the head temp was very useful. Once warmed up, it only
> > climbed
> > above 350 if I did things I shouldn't, like push up a hill that was
> > really
> > too steep for the gear I was in. While you can cook your heads pretty
> > quickly, it should really only happen if you're messing up.
> > Interestingly,
> > it did give me info on tuning, like it would settle around 335 when
> > I had my
> > points and timing set right, good spark plug wires, good gas. If
> > it hovered
> > higher (without obvious cause) I knew I had some maintenance to
> > do. Outside
> > air temp made little difference, aside form how long it took to get
> > warmed
> > up.
> >
> > Oil temp can climb without you realizing it though.
> >
> > I've had external coolers as well. Best one had an electric fan
> > that turned
> > on around 170 degrees. You can also get an oil thermostat to keep
> > from
> > overcooling. It bypasses the cooler until you get up to temp.
> >
> > If I had to choose one thing to keep me safe, I'd go with the oil temp
> > guage. You can always slow down and/or downshift to keep them temp
> > down.
> > My guage saved my ass several times when the oil bypass plunger
> > stuck down
> > (bypassing the stock oil cooler). Without it, I wouldn't have
> > known until
> > something really bad happened.
> >
> > My $.02
> >
> > Raymond
> >
> >
> > On 11/15/06, neil <goofymuso@yahoo.ca> wrote:
> >>
> >> I recently installed a head temp sensor on my 81 AC.
> >> It read 350-475(475 on hills) on a recent trip in mild
> >> weather. I've replaced the engine seal, and have
> >> brought rest of engine up to snuff (as best I can w/o
> >> dealing with internals). It runs well and I'm
> >> confident that this engine won't overheat. But.....
> >>
> >> An external cooler can't hurt, especially in hotter
> >> climes. Since this van was made for travel, and is
> >> heavier (Westy) it might make sense to install a
> >> cooler. Regardless these engines work fine stock IF
> >> properly maintained. i.e. I didn't realize just how
> >> important the engine seal was (thanks list) to keeping
> >> the engine within safe temps.
> >>
> >> For now the expense of adding a cooler isn't
> >> warranted. Who knows, if I travel to much hotter
> >> climes, I may install a cooler. But if it doesn't over
> >> heat, then no need IMHO. Besides I may just end up
> >> being the neighborhood nutter who puts in an AZZ-TD or
> >> Subie in his AC van.
> >>
> >> (need a dang-diddly-o-dry garage first. These
> >> carport-capers just aren't cutting it with this
> >> sideways rain! And am I nuts to be thinking of selling
> >> and moving to a place with a proper 2 car garage/shop
> >> just because I own and work on a Vanagon????)
> >>
> >> Cheers but not nuts,
> >>
> >> Neil.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> --- Conrad Klahn <conradk@MAC.COM> wrote:
> >>
> >> > Hi,
> >> >
> >> > I have an aircooled Vanagon in need of a rebuild.
> >> > I'm sure I have
> >> > been hell on this thing per Bob's comments - but it
> >> > has never broken
> >> > down on me. All I want is to go 55 up a 30 degree
> >> > grade, which I know
> >> > would require a miracle and a 55 MPH tail wind.
> >> >
> >> > I was recently discouraged from Jake Raby's rant on
> >> > Aircooled
> >> > Vanagons. So I know that there are people with all
> >> > sorts of opinions,
> >> > even from those that know more than me. However, I
> >> > do think an
> >> > additional oil cooler and ceramic coating offset
> >> > many of the pitfalls
> >> > of this design.
> >> >
> >> > Conrad
>
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