Date: Wed, 15 Nov 2006 18:49:20 -0500
Reply-To: Greg Potts <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Greg Potts <greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA>
Subject: Re: Aircooled Vanagons
In-Reply-To: <5d903de80611151442h2f02cdabu5a16135c16279686@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed
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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