Date:         Fri, 26 Mar 1999 18:07:35 -0600
Reply-To:     Dave <dave@251.ORG>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave <dave@251.ORG>
Subject:      Trip to Colorado with new rebuild
Comments: To: Vanagon List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I just came back from a 2600 mile trip to Colorado in my 87 Wolfsburg
Weekender.   In Colorado I drove along 70, 9, 131 and 128 and a few
others..  I would highly recommend 9 and 131, they are very fun drives
and have a great view. It was the first big trip with my rebuilt engine,
which now has 8k, and nothing went wrong, except someone broke my
license plate bracket in a parking lot in Vail.

I changed the oil just prior to leaving and as of 2600 miles, roughly
200-300 miles of which on dirt roads, and one week the oil is still gold
with no trace of black.  This is with ~3.5 qts. Castrol GTX 10W40 and 1
qt. of Castrol Syntec 5W50.  I also am using the MSDS air intake system,
which worked great even on the dusty roads.

The new engine averaged apx. 19 mpg total, maxed at 23 mpg on one tank
in Steamboat Springs, the worst was 17.5 in Kansas.  I drove around 60
to 80 on the highways, usually about 65 mph.  I also noticed I got a lot
better mileage at altitude, I am assuming the thinner air required less
gas and therefore ran the engine leaner and saving fuel.

I have pictures but they're not developed yet.  I'll post when they're
available.  BTW after sleeping in my Vanagon for five nights at temps as
low as 16 deg. F I'm about ready to buy one of those aux. heaters.  In
the mornings there was frost on the headliner and on the inside of the
windows (and my feet).  Two of the nights I stayed at Colorado state
parks, Two nights at a KOA in Steamboat and one night in a parking lot
in Vail.  The state parks were my favorite, but the KOA had hot showers.

David Filcoff                       dave@251.org
Volkswagens!                      www.251.org
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87 Vanagon, 88 Fox
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St. Louis / Columbia, MO
LiMBO - Gateway VW Club - VWoA VW Club -  Missouri Micros