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Author Topic: How do I drive this?  (Read 959 times)
74surfrwagon
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« on: September 21, 2006, 09:59:22 AM »

This on the outset looks like a very stupid thread title.

I have been driving high horsepower muscle cars for years and will be flying up to Portland Oregon next week to drive my 74 2.0L bus home for 13 hours.  I am used to passing everything on the road and going up hills like slicing butter, so I know this will be humbling to drive this back.

The bus does have an Oil temp gauge so how fast should I top her out on a flat freeway? 17
What is red line on RPM's?  17
What is the acceptable temp ranges 17
How fast should I expect to go up a steep grade? 17

She is an automatic so that will make it easier but I don't want to push it too far or even get to the brink.  13 hour drive over two days I want to get home in one piece. 54

Thanks for the advice

Michael
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« Reply #1 on: September 21, 2006, 03:30:53 PM »

assuming it is a oil temp gauge 220 is about the highest you want to see your oil temps... I think.
If its a head temp 350 degrees maximum, going up a long hill etc...

Factory I think for a 1973 1700 is 5800 rpm's allthough the fan stops cooling as well at 4000  so I wouldnt run at 5800 all day long if you know what I mean.


I usually try to get a good running start going up the hills... I know going down 5 just before grants pass there are a few hefty hills, one of which the mykin.us guys burned up on a hot day. They were heading north but same difference. The hills are big, take it easy. If your bus is doing 15-20 mph there is something wrong... 30-45 should be a normal speed unless your loaded down major... My bus with a 1600 stock hit 35-40 mph going up a few of the hills with 3 people in it. So if your by yourself, and not weighted down I think you'll cruise up them without an issue.

From many of the tech heads I have heard opening your heater boxes doesn't, help much, but it can give you a sense of how hot your engine really is. Assuming you have heater boxes... The weather should be nice next week though, cool I mean, so I cant imagine you having any issues. Make sure you have some rain-x if your wipers are sketchy, it can really save you in this state. It should be a emergency item for vw's :-)  Feel free to call me if you have any problems I went and bailed out the mykin guys down in grants pass, and brought them up to Portland a few months back.

When you coming thru Salem? Maybe we can grab a beer  30
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Dj:Eep
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« Reply #2 on: September 21, 2006, 05:44:47 PM »

Your bus may or may not have a head temp gauge.   the type4 (your engine) runs a bit hotter than type1's.  Oil temps should stay below 230, around 180-200 is good.  Head temp of 400+ is high but I think bearable if not pushing it for too long.  Take it slow on hills, don't try to hold it low in the powerband. 35-45 up hills in 3rd. Downshift, even if it means shedding 10-15mph.   If it is losing power after a long strech, take a break, or let it coast down hills in gear to turn the fan for some cooling, 35-45 in 3rd will be loud and possibly disconcerting, but it will cool the engine nicely down a hill.

They can take some abuse, but better to learn your specific bus before you push it. 80
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captnbilly
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« Reply #3 on: September 22, 2006, 10:49:17 AM »

I wish I could agree that an automatic makes it easier. in my experience buses live best when driven in their rpm range rather than a specific mph. With exceptions, I drive 3200-3800 ('77 westy w/ 'GE' series 2.0L F.I. & free breathing exhuast system) which yields in 4th indicated 60-80 (55-75 actual). In the summer 90's just past, on straight 40w, I was running 240-250F oiltemp, 375-400 cht(not calibrated but balanced comparing #1 & #3 cylinders) and dialing lambda to just slightly rich at say 13 F/A ratio using T2 2k rheostat. In hills and valleys i will build up that downhill momentum to 90-95 to carry it up the next but when tach drops to 31-3200 I down shift to keep engine on its torque curve AND keep that fan spinning. On flat land there is no way I can pull 4800 in 4th. How this helps a 2 speed auto (which takes a bit of hp off the road) I leave to you but if your crossing the rockies it ain't gonna be sliced butter. Regards and luck, Bill
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74surfrwagon
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« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2006, 09:30:31 AM »

First of all, thanks for all the input!

captnbilly...I love tech talk!

Tomorrow is the big day, flying up to Portland to get my new baby!  I am very excited Drogar-Smile(LBG)

The information you guys posted will help a lot and I will start my two day road trip on Wednesday. Drogar-SunGlass(LBG)

I'll tell you Friday how it all went and I'll get a hold of recycle and maybe we can have lunch on Wednesday, I'll call you to see if its possible.

Wish me well!

Michael
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