Freeway flier and WOT operation. Any updates from archives?

[Talosian]

I wanted a little more information on getting a higher speed from my '71 Safari (thing) and when I saw something about a "Freeway Flier" tranny, so I went to the archives and got info. that brought other questions to mind.

From my other thread I gather that my (original) engine is a 1500. Any way as a lay-person I can tell by looking? Here in Mexico, they don't do a lot of paperwork (if any) when an engine is switched.

I was told that I can have the engine rebuilt and have my own High Performance parts installed for more power. Worth it?

It seems that 50-55mph is going to be my best with things stock, and I can live with that other than on the freeways here where I will be dog-meat the way most drivers are with speed.

I understand if I get a different 4th. gear from a bus tranny and have that put in my stock tranny, that will help. I would like to get 65mph if possible without doing damage to the engine, which is a segue to my next question.

I also read that the VW engine was built to run WOT (it wasn't explained but I think that means "Wide Open Throttle). Is this true?

This coming week, there is a very large VW show in Guadalajara and I'm going. Don't feel comfortable enough to drive my Thing that distance (about 100 miles r/t) but I am going to take pictures. Would it be proper for me to post them here and if so, where?

Thanks again for all the information.

David

[bmwloco]

100 miles, round trip?

That's only 50 miles each way.

I'd happily drive my Thing that far. Cie la vie.

[Woreign]

David,

You can post your photos in the Gallery section of the Samba. Just be sure that your photos are 640x480 or smaller.

I assume that your 71 has reduction gears? If so, you're not going to get freeway speed, no matter what size engine or transmission gearing. Your Thing was designed for more torque than speed. Even the non-reduction geared Things were only rated for 68 mph...

With freeway-flyer transmissions, you risk over-heating your engine. This is due to the cooling fan not spinning as fast as it should.

If you've been driving your Thing for a while now without any problems, I think you'd be safe to drive it to the show. 100 miles isn't all that far. Just be sure to take some tools with you, just in case...

[74 Thing]

If you have reduction boxes then you can always change your R&P if you want the rpms to drop on the highway. Stock R&P for a Thing was 4.125, so you can change to 3.88 and keep the reduction boxes.

If you do not have reduction boxes then the stock 4.125 R&P with the .89 forth should be what you want on the freeway.

You can also change to bigger tires first-this will change your final drive ratio.

[Talosian]

Woreign:

My concern is not really the distance, but being limited to 50mph on a freeway in Mexico where the drivers are pretty aggressive. And your comment about taking tools makes me as nervous as a long tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs And of course, what if something happens and I need a part (belt, etc.)?

On the photos, I can reduce them, it's just that I'm not 100% clear on how to post them. I saw the instructions and will have to play a little. I'm seeing I have to find a home for the photos someplace other than here and then put the URL of the picture in my post between the "Img" tags (on each side). Like everything, the first time is the steep learning curve.

74 Thing:

I'll have to check a technical manual to understand the stuff you sent. I'm learning about the Safari/Thing in baby steps. I know cars basically having collected and worked on them for decades, but I know each is different and sometimes the Devil is in the details.

BMWLOCO.

Yup, our math results are the same, 100 miles r/t is 50 miles each way. I just want to feel a little more comfortable locally. There is no AAA in Mexico and getting stuck even a few miles from home-base can be a real problem in Mexico, plus, I'm not really proficient in the language yet, other than in a restaurant.

Thanks.

[klokard]

Woreign, the idea that a motor will overheat with a FWY flyer transmission is bunk. It comes down to this. RPM's equal work and load which equals heat. Less work and load equals less heat. I know because I did comparison tests on my car. With the OEM trans and gearing at 60 MPH my oil temp was right at 205 on an average temp day. With my FWY flyer trans, at 60 MPH my oil temp is just under 200. All other variables being the same. I now can average 65 MPH and maintain stock oil temps.

[Towel Rail]

Yeah, but who cares about oil temps? Head temps are what's important on an aircooled engine.
_________________
1974 Thing -- under the knife
1967 Beetle -- spring/summer/fall driver
1996 Subaru OBW (EJ22, 5-speed, AWD) -- winter car, 3-seasons "don't feel like biking today" car

049 > 070 > 053 > 009

[Ian Epperson]

[klokard]

Towel rail...you are absolutely correct, CHT is the most precise measure of effeciency of an air cooled engine. However, there could not have been an increase in CHT without an increase in oil temp and vice versa... which is the point I was making.

[Towel Rail]

[Bruce]