Date:         Tue, 9 Mar 1999 12:45:14 -0800
Reply-To:     Mark Drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Drillock <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Re: Synchro Power? 5 Cylinder!
Comments: To: Nathaniel Merrill <nmerrill@parametrix.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Hello, Nat. Yes, I was lead footing it quite a bit. I thought about
taking it easy just to see what kind of mileage I could get but I was
having too much fun for that. The power is good, the engine runs smooth,
and the sound is great. The red-line is 6200 rpm, so I pulled the steep
side of the pass in third at 60+ at 4800 rpm with no fear. This climb on
I 5 south into L.A gains 4000 feet in less than 10 miles and before I
would have been cowering over on the right and jockeying for position
with the trucks. This time I actually passed cars up the hill! Coming
through L.A. I stayed in the left lane and drove aggressively because I
could! I will wait until the rebuilt engine is broken in some more
before I push it to the max but I am pleased. I have big 15" tires so my
Syncro Camper was even slower than most before this. I will answer some
questions now but I am too busy getting ready for Baja to say much.
Thanks, Detlev!

Mark Drillock

Nathaniel Merrill wrote:
>
> Snip>
> at 75 MPH. I covered 435 miles in 6 hours and 10 min. including over the
> Tejon Pass and through L.A.  and got 17 MPG.  I am happy with it so far and
> this weekend I am towing my boat to Baja with it.
>
> Mark Drillock
>
> 17 MPG?  Mark,  I hope you will step up to the plate and accept the responsibility of being the first  list-er to report on the conversion (esp. in a syncro westy!).  Could you please do this?  A detailed discussion of the conversion fit and finish, power characteristics,  MPG,  running noise, vibrations, etc. etc.!  Were you really lead footing it when you got 17mpg?
> Thanks in advance for any details you might have!
> Nat