Date: Fri, 30 Apr 1999 09:10:39 -0400
Reply-To: Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Subject: Re: converting watercooled vanagon to aircooled
I suppose it is experience based...I have never had problems driving 80+
for extended periods in our air cooled, but I do run an 8-pass quick cool
oil cooler in the left wheel well. My motors air-cooled motors have always
been trouble free, but I am a preventive-maintenance nut.
You have a point on the A/C thing. The 411/412 and the 914 were okay with
A/C, seems to be the staw that broke the air-cooled Vanagon's back though.
They should have had a larger cooling fan, larger oil pump, and an auxilary
oil cooler on the A/C vans.
G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
www.bulley-hewlett.com
Cary, NC USA
888.468.4880 tollfree
-----Original Message-----
From: Dennis Haynes [SMTP:dhaynes57@email.msn.com]
Sent: Thursday, April 29, 1999 8:14 PM
To: Bulley; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Re: converting watercooled vanagon to aircooled
I beg to differ. A water cooled Vanagon accelerates better and can travel
at
higher speeds than the air-cooled. Where you run out of power at 70mph, the
Waterboxer will go to the mid-80's. The reliability is much better also. I
typically drive at 70-75, all day. My Syncro camper is close to 167K.
Survived the rockies twice,(NY to CA and Alaska), and the engine has yet to
be touched. Yep, No head gaskets. Customers with air cooled vans always
look
for water cooled after driving and comparing. I also like the power
steering, and being able to use the AC without melting a head.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Wednesday, April 28, 1999 9:16 AM
Subject: Re: converting watercooled vanagon to aircooled
>Friends-
>
>While it may be true that Ben would be giving up some horsepower "on
>paper", having driven both air-cooled and water-cooled Vanagon's, I would
>wager that on the whole there is almost no difference in the
>seat-of-the-pants driveability between the air cooled and water cooled
>motor.
>
>With our noise-proofing and heat package, the air-cooled can be quieter
>than any stock H20 van I have been in, and heats far faster and hotter as
>well.
>(see: www.bulley-hewlett.com/VWindex )
>
>As far as the power, at some point, I will have to drag race our 1982
Westy
>against and identically equipped and loaded water cooled Westy to find
out.
>Perhaps at this Fall's Buggout in Manassas, VA? Any takers? Having driven
a
>1991 automatic Weekender, I can tell you our air-cooled Westy would smoke
>that road slug like a pipe.
>
>You have to remember, the water cooled is hauling around a bunch of heavy
>junk that the air cooled is not; radiator, heater cores, etc.
>
>G. Matthew Bulley
>Bulley-Hewlett & Associates
>www.bulley-hewlett.com
>Cary, NC USA
>888.468.4880 tollfree
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Brent Christensen [SMTP:bpchristensen@MINDSPRING.COM]
>Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 1999 12:24 AM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: converting watercooled vanagon to aircooled
>
>Wouldn't Ben be giving up some significant horsepower with and air cooled
>motor? (Not to mention "real" heat in the passenger compartment, as well
>as
>a quieter engine and "better" fuel injection)
>
>Though I'm not sure you could call *any* horsepower a Vanagon has ever
>produced "significant"... :-)
>
>Brent Christensen
>'89 Syncro Westy "Klaus"
>'91 Taurus SHO (For Sale)
>'95 Cherokee Sport
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Ben Wampler
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 1999 9:15 PM
>Subject: converting watercooled vanagon to aircooled
>
>
>Hello,
>
>If I where to come accross an eighties air-cooled vanagon motor, what
>modifications would have to be made to put it in an '85 van? It seems
>logical with all the problems with WC vans, but is it possible?
>
>-Ben
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