Date:         Sat, 9 Apr 1994 21:31:23 -0600
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         jgladu@bcm.tmc.edu (John Gladu)
Subject:      Re: '66 bus w/ flickering oil light

At 12:50 PM 4/9/94 -0500, nick mcree wrote:
>Question one-- I am concerned that I do not have an air-flow thermostat.
>When I rebuilt the engine there was *no* control assembly for the air
>flaps to remove. I did not consider putting one on. I have read the
>posts on where it should be, and what it looks like, and its important
>role in keeping the engine cool.  This could be a likely culprit, huh?

I know that there will be plenty of responses saying "the VW designers put
this in there for a *reason*..." but I don't think that it really effects
you, as you say.  I live in Houston, close enough climate-wise, and haven't
had any of that "thermostat stuff" since Thanksgiving of '78.  The only
problems that I've had with temperature since then have been improper
timing (too much advance) and too much boogie (sustained 70mph plus in
100-degree weather).  Your engine doesn't need this.

>Question two-- *If* this is indeed the problem, what is your opinion
>concerning removing the shroud and simply *scrapping* the whole air
>control flap assembly?  Remember, I am currently in Texas--there is not
>much of a cold-start problem here.

Like I said above...

>Question three-- Apparently, the carb and timing settings are crucial in
>helping keep the engine cool. I would just about bet my ass that I have
>the carb and timing set properly.  Just to make sure, though, let me tell
>you that I have the timing set at 7.5 BTDC, and it seems to run fine--no
>pinging, smooth acceleration.  Your insight?

I'm running an 009 distributor set to roughly 30 degrees total advance
(using a Snap-On variable-advance timing light).  With this setting I do
pretty good, but I used to overheat at 35 degrees, which is what I was lead
to believe was the proper setting for this distributor.  Proper adjustment
of a carburetor is still tantamount to magic to me, so I just rebuild and
pray...


bcnu - G (John Gladu)  .Opinions are just that.
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