Date: Tue, 18 Apr 1995 19:14:14 -0700
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: eugp@uclink3.berkeley.edu (Eugene C. Palmer)
Subject: Re: The Berg and springs
>Hmmm... I don't think my bus would go 60 in third without blowing up. Even
>50 scares me, as I'm sure it is approaching 5000 RPM. What year van is
>this that you are talking about?
Most buses I've driven '63,'67,'71, (this one is 1971) I have taken to 60 in
third, I used to take the squareback to 70. I will rev that high if I have
a loaded, (this means four or five people and gear) and I'm on a long hill
that I know fourth won't quite hold if I shift. I'd rather a lightly loaded
high rev than a bogged down 2250 rpm. I reprimand any driver of my bus that
shifts too early, or too late on a down shift (~48-52mph into the hill).
I've followed trucks down hills at 90 and the engine sounded great.
>I agree with Eugene that one should watch their valve train closely in
>any case, but I don't see the need for dual springs in any type IV bus
>application. The motors are not designed to be revved past 5,000 RPM.
>IMHO, dual springs will just add wear and tear on the valvetrain and
>lead to premature cam or lifter failure.
I believe my Haynes book, 4400 rpm limit on the bus, after that, HD singles
or duals.
>In a bus, I would go for reliability and get the lowest
>rate springs that could sustain 5,000 RPM (stock springs are more than
>adequate than this).
>
>Berg's pushing of dual springs and pooh poohing of hydraulic lifters
>is making me think they are only concerned with building race engines
>for Beetles, but I don't know that much about them.
>
Berg has done thousands of tests and drives and has driven buses of all
kinds himself. His 1971 is famous. I believe him, reliability is relative,
and...... .....4400 rpm, 65mph in a bus, no higher or you'll burn your stock
single spring exhaust valves. As for the hydraulics, I think he's mostly
talking about the long run, 45,000 miles down the road situation when the
engine is hot, stopped, and then won't hold hydraulic pressure. I believe
that too.
Sincerely,
Eugene
'71
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