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Date:         Fri, 7 Jun 2013 15:57:17 -0400
Reply-To:     David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Driving a Vanagon or any RV fast.
Comments: To: Frank Romano <fromano99@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CADSU2EHK=0zHPrV7=FNQMiOiQwX=ypxEf14byAt=+Lqm50U-jw@mail.g
              mail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

At 09:57 AM 6/7/2013, Frank Romano wrote: >I have wondered what the prevailing wisdom is for driving highway speeds in >a 1.9 l 84 westy. At 65 mph. The speed reads 80 and I feel like thats about >the limit. I do not have a tach so I am not sure what my rpms are at 65 >mph. I am still running 14 inch wheels. > >Is it ok to run hours at 6 5 mph in my much loved VANGOGO?

Boston Bob (renowned engine builder if you're not familiar with him, now deceased) used to recommend not exceeding 4000 rpm for extended periods. With correct tires, 4000 rpm gives you 72 mph.

I used to drive my '84 pretty routinely on New England highways at around 85 mph actual. The engine wore out faster than it would have if I'd kept the speed down, but otherwise it didn't complain.

Your speedometer's out of tolerance. Per Bentley 90.30, '84/5 models through December '84 production have a lousy tolerance of -0/+(6.2 mph +5% of actual speed), which would give a max reading of 74-1/2 at an actual speed of 65. Thank you US Government. Later production returned to the European tolerance of -0/+3 mph at all speeds. Thank you VWAG.

Odometer tolerance is -1/+3.75% for all years. Since that's determined strictly by gear ratios I'd expect them all to have identical characteristics.

You can put an '85 or later tach-equipped (non-Syncro) panel in your '84 by rearranging the wires in the panel connector shell, running a tach wire back to the ignition coil, and if it's an '86+ panel bypassing the DOPS (two-stage oil pressure warning system).

I did this with my '84 and was very happy. The Vanagon tach is particularly nice, with a big green power band printed on the face from 2,000 to 4,000 rpm, shading off for 500 rpm above and below; and a red zone shading into solid from 5200 to 5400 and continuing up to the 6k max.. It makes it very intuitive for yourself and for teaching an inexperienced driver how to handle hilly country without getting bogged down in numbers (full throttle, bottom half of the green and falling, downshift. Upper third of the green and rising, upshift. Won't go any faster and the needle's bouncing off the red zone? Somebody forgot to shift out of third gear. Takes all the sting out of it).

I have an automatic now and it's not nearly as important, but still very nice to have.

Yours, David


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