Date: Fri, 30 Jun 1995 22:44:01 +0600
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: anon869@vt.edu (Christopher Bridge)
Subject: Virginia to Maine trip report.
Well, the old 71 made it. No problems mechanically. The trip is 810 miles
from Christiansburg, VA to Biddeford Maine. It took 14 3/4 hours, giving a
average speed of 55 mph. We took longer on the way back, as we slept about
2 hours on I-66.
Memorable moments:
1) We ( wife and kitten) left among a downpour, and it rained untill
Harrisonburg, VA. First, a bag of trash got a tear in it, spreading cat
litter all over the floor of the bus, which quickly reacted to the water,
forming a very stinky mud. Then, about 1/2 an hour out, the cat puked,
adding to the already very unpleasnt smell of the bus. And, after almost an
hour on the road, roadwork on I-81 held us to 5 miles in 30 minutes. I was
beginning to get pissed.
2) With the wife driving, we get pulled over about 2 miles from the WV
border. It seems that she didn't use a left turn signal when changing
lanes, and the officer wanted to she if they worked. I had to chuckle, as I
_knew_ they worked. She got a warning. (ouch) BTW- another reason not to
buy a minivan: The police are driving them as undercover units in VA.
What's next, a VW bus with a 2.7 Porsche engine? They are tinting the
windows to hide the big blue strobes.
3) I think that TRW must be in bed with the state of Penn. Those roads are
the worst I can think of for the chassis. Does anyone know if TRW has a R&D
plant in Penn? I have firmly decided that the best time to cross Penn. is
at night.
4) I went blowing by two cops, once about 8 mph over, and the second time at
13 mph over. I didn't even get a chase. I figured that the cops are out
for bigger money makers.
5) There is a strech of I-81 that is 19 miles long, without a single
shoulder due to roadwork. It is also 2 lanes wide, with "Jersey walls" on
both sides! This could make a bus driver just a little nervous.
In Maine, I noticed that there are _no_ busses. Must be the salt. I didn't
see one at all, untill the trip back.
On the way back, I saw the most interesting bus. It was most definately a
72 model, as it had the big rear lights, but also had the low down front
turn indicators. I went humming past (about 70 mph) them on the side of the
road and they caught up to me in like 2 miles! I couldn't believe it! The
bus had what I believe was a old upright motor in it. It had 2 tail pipes,
just like a bug, and I could see the old style heater boxes too. The thing
must have been a 1776 or something, because he could fly!
I also saw what I think was a EV in Mass. A interesting beast indeed. He
flew by me so fast, I couldn't tell what it was untill he was long gone.
All I remember was a teal green color and the word "euro". I couln't even
come close to catching up with him, as he was going about 80.
The rest is pretty normal, that drive is much too long for me.
A couple of questions:
My #3 exhaust valve is tighting up at a rate of .002" every 850 miles. Is
this normal, or a sign of impending doom?
I know that valve stem seals are available for the motor, but I don't have
any. Are these left off for some good reason, like say to prevent the
swallowing of #3? It is also burning(not leaking!) a quart every 1000
miles, but I can live with that.
Also, I had no problems with the siezed plug. I took along a bunch of spare
parts, which leads me to believe that if you got the spares, it won't break
down, and vicecersa.
CBridge@vt.edu
Chris Bridge
71' camper