Date:         Sat, 20 Nov 2010 08:01:22 -0600
Reply-To:     mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: Trip report
Comments: To: John Lauterbach <jhlauterbach@BELLSOUTH.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <1290228414.1753.10.camel@john-desktop>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

---- John Lauterbach <jhlauterbach@BELLSOUTH.NET> wrote:
> My '84 Vanagon made it the 347 miles to my FL home w/o anything bad
> happening on Tuesday evening; and I drove it back home this afternoon
> again w/o problems.  Fuel economy was dismal but engine seemed to want
> to run to the high side of the green color at 4400 rpm.  I was checking
> speed with my GPS and 4600 rpm put speed near 80 mph.   I have about
> 25,000 miles on Boston Bob long block I put in 7 years ago.  Automatic
> transmission was rebuilt this past April.
>
> John

Engine "seemed to want .......... 4400 rpm,"  "80 mph."

I guess a waterboxer.  Mine (newer 2.1) runs smoothly and nicely at about 3000 rpm, 60 mph on the highway.  I can push it up toward 3800 rpm and  70 mph when the wind is not blowing, but it gets loud in the van, and just doesn't "seem right."

When I "drive right" (60 mph) without much wind, it gets over 20 mpg on the highway.  Of course, mine is a 4 speed manual.  Automatics might be a tad worse on fuel use, but any time these things are driven like you drove on this trip, fuel usage is going to be horrible.  They are not built for that speed is my take on it.

--
David McNeely