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SGKent
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Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 17550
Location: State Capitol CA (Sacramento)
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 Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 5:47 pm Post subject: |
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the server is off right now so the project is not available as a download. Thought I would add this update. Engine is broken in and the numbers look good.
We just got back from a trip to Lassen Park. From the Valley floor to the crest in the road at Lassen Peak it is about an 8,000' foot climb over a distance of 70 miles. Going from Sacramento to Red Bluff we averaged 65 MPH part of the way. It was 95F-100F outside. Our head temp was 350F - 370F stable at that speed and stayed within that range the whole way from Sacramento to Red Bluff. During long climbs of 3,000' to 4,000' sustained 5% to 7% grades we saw head temps of 425F which is as high as I pushed it as oil temps were climbing too. Much of that was in the 4250 - 4500 RPM range with power to spare even with it being 100F outside. Average fuel consumption fully loaded was 19 MPG. Bone stock engine other than balanced, and 142 WebCam. Oh - and EGR and catalytic hooked up too. On the way home we ended up in the left lane due to repaving on the right. We drove for about 20 miles at 75 MPH+/- with traffic which is pushing it in a bus. The head temps peaked at about 435F - 440F which is as much as I am comfortable with, oil stable at 220F at that speed. The last few valve adjustments have been holding so after this run I will get a good idea how stable the aluminum is in the RIMCO heads.
Where possible and traffic would allow we would slow to 60 mph at which 200F oil and 345F head temps were normal.
It is comfortable to drive in, we've added an ice chest between the seats and refinished its top in square weave to match the seats. Flip the lid over and it has a cup holder and area like a table. The dogs were happy in back with the vents open and the sun roof cracked a little. Fold down bed was very comfortable although with the two of us and the 2 dogs it gets a little low on oxygen in the back at 6,000' so I opened the vents and sunroof while we slept for more air - who knows, maybe the dogs we playing tricks and putting their paws on my face while I slept  All in all with the new insurance that allows us an occasional camping trip we are getting eveything we want from this bus. The new stock OGVW bushings and centerpin have gotten rid of the remaining slop in the wheel so it is very tight - about 1/2 inch play however the bus is still more sensitive in the wind than my 1971 was. It feels a bit more rolly too and a stronger front sway bar or ?? may be a future purchase.
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Steve aka Merlin the Wrench
formerly Steve's Racing and Engine Blueprinting. Wrenching since 1967.
bdamico on GF wrote | Quote: | | "When I was your age I'd plan out all sorts of stuff for the future and almost none of them came true. Just wonder if it's worth trying to be a crystal ball. " |
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Westfabulous
Samba Member
Joined: January 07, 2007
Posts: 4083
Location: The tropic of Canada, dodging the giant flying moose of Surrey!
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| Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 6:31 pm Post subject: |
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Very nice SG; you have worked long and hard to enjoy this reward. I guess there's no reason why you can't drive up here and visit Busdaddy and me. Head temps stay much cooler here too!
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SGKent
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Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 17550
Location: State Capitol CA (Sacramento)
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| Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 6:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Westfabulous wrote: | | Very nice SG; you have worked long and hard to enjoy this reward. I guess there's no reason why you can't drive up here and visit Busdaddy and me. Head temps stay much cooler here too! |
Maybe next summer. Still buffeted a little too much by fast SUV's passing. Want to get it a little less of that. Speaking of that we saw a rollover coming home. Same thing as always these days - see at least 3 or 4 bad accidents a week now. People hurry too much and there is no safety margin left.
_________________
Steve aka Merlin the Wrench
formerly Steve's Racing and Engine Blueprinting. Wrenching since 1967.
bdamico on GF wrote | Quote: | | "When I was your age I'd plan out all sorts of stuff for the future and almost none of them came true. Just wonder if it's worth trying to be a crystal ball. " |
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Westfabulous
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Joined: January 07, 2007
Posts: 4083
Location: The tropic of Canada, dodging the giant flying moose of Surrey!
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| Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 6:44 pm Post subject: |
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| SGKent wrote: | | People hurry too much and there is no safety margin left. |
Proabably 'cuz they don't have one of these nifty units (heh, heh):
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SGKent
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 17550
Location: State Capitol CA (Sacramento)
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| Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 8:42 pm Post subject: |
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Never thought about that. You Canadians think of everything. Of course someone recently told us that it was the BC plates that drove the fastest in the US compared to people from Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Do you think maybe they are trying to outrun the smell?
_________________
Steve aka Merlin the Wrench
formerly Steve's Racing and Engine Blueprinting. Wrenching since 1967.
bdamico on GF wrote | Quote: | | "When I was your age I'd plan out all sorts of stuff for the future and almost none of them came true. Just wonder if it's worth trying to be a crystal ball. " |
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Westfabulous
Samba Member
Joined: January 07, 2007
Posts: 4083
Location: The tropic of Canada, dodging the giant flying moose of Surrey!
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| Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 8:54 pm Post subject: |
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| SGKent wrote: | | Never thought about that. You Canadians think of everything. Of course someone recently told us that it was the BC plates that drove the fastest in the US compared to people from Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Do you think maybe they are trying to outrun the smell? |
No, not really, I think they're all racing around trying to find a Tim Horton's. 
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"I will gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today." |
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SGKent
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 17550
Location: State Capitol CA (Sacramento)
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| Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 7:46 pm Post subject: |
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nice 500 mile trip this weekend in the bus and it ran like a dream. Took US 50 from Sacramento to South Lake Tahoe and then to US 395, south to Le Vining, up over Tioga Pass (9,943') to Yosemite Valley. Spent the night camping - installed the Hella fogs from my totaled Acura before we left and it was nice to have them. Came down this morning to Oakdale, Manteca and up Highway 99. All the handling issues are gone now - it feels as good as my 1971 did and the wind doesn't push it any worse than the 1971. It was very easy to work the turns through the Sierra without any wander and we are not buffeted by SUV's passing us anymore.
Engine used about 1/2 quart on the first 7400' climb up US 50 over Echo Summit which I pushed it pretty hard. I was a little concerned but the remaining 400 miles which also included a couple 8000' climbs it didn't use a drop although I didn't push it as hard. We had a long downhill compression brake when the oil was hot - 230F and I suspect that may have been when the engine pulled the oil in. No leaks - didn't have a drop on the floor when we got home. Very happy with the engine. Max head temp on the trip was during the long sustained climbs over the Sierras - max head temp about 415F and oil got up to 230F. Normally it stayed in the 350F - 370F range on the heads and 180F on the oil. Fuel economy averaged for the whole trip came out to 18.9 mpg. Saw one early Mexican Beige bay in Lake Tahoe but no other bays or splits on the trip. One vanagon and one Eurovan camper were at the campgrounds in the valley where we stayed. I really thought we might see some more bays but nothing came our way.
Everyone likes the bus - a couple of people wanted to buy it but it isn't for sale right now. It got a bath when we got home and is all clean and comfy in the garage - except for a couple of dog nose noggies on the windows which I will get this week.
Not much color in the trees - we saw a few aspen groves that had color but the snow and rain we had early this October caused an early leaf drop so it was pretty bland. That is Ok though because we were able to catch the change of colors last October in KY, VA and MD.
Take care -
_________________
Steve aka Merlin the Wrench
formerly Steve's Racing and Engine Blueprinting. Wrenching since 1967.
bdamico on GF wrote | Quote: | | "When I was your age I'd plan out all sorts of stuff for the future and almost none of them came true. Just wonder if it's worth trying to be a crystal ball. " |
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curtis4085
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Joined: July 22, 2011
Posts: 2982
Location: Colorado
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SGKent
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 17550
Location: State Capitol CA (Sacramento)
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| Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 9:04 am Post subject: |
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| curtis4085 wrote: | Sounds like I great trip. I can not wait for next spring to have the same fun.
Wanted to ask, am having issue viewing you pdf on your restoration.  |
server is turned off right now. Will have to turn it on tonight.
_________________
Steve aka Merlin the Wrench
formerly Steve's Racing and Engine Blueprinting. Wrenching since 1967.
bdamico on GF wrote | Quote: | | "When I was your age I'd plan out all sorts of stuff for the future and almost none of them came true. Just wonder if it's worth trying to be a crystal ball. " |
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airkooledchris
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Joined: January 25, 2005
Posts: 1711
Location: Eureka, CA
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| Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 5:17 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the update. We've been thinking about making a trek in the bus down to Yosemite Valley soon to see the snowcaps. We'd likely head from here down the 101 and cut across on the 20 and then make our way south from there.
sounds like really good numbers. are these all using Dakota Digital gauges for both CHT and OT?
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SGKent
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 17550
Location: State Capitol CA (Sacramento)
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| Posted: Mon Oct 31, 2011 8:42 pm Post subject: |
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| airkooledchris wrote: | Thanks for the update. We've been thinking about making a trek in the bus down to Yosemite Valley soon to see the snowcaps. We'd likely head from here down the 101 and cut across on the 20 and then make our way south from there.
sounds like really good numbers. are these all using Dakota Digital gauges for both CHT and OT? |
VDO Oil Pressure, Oil Temp in taco plate, and CHT on #3 plug.
Snow is on the way so Tioga Road will probably close soon. The valley is pretty in winter and they groom the high country roads for Cross Country skiing once the snow gets deep enough.
_________________
Steve aka Merlin the Wrench
formerly Steve's Racing and Engine Blueprinting. Wrenching since 1967.
bdamico on GF wrote | Quote: | | "When I was your age I'd plan out all sorts of stuff for the future and almost none of them came true. Just wonder if it's worth trying to be a crystal ball. " |
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airkooledchris
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Joined: January 25, 2005
Posts: 1711
Location: Eureka, CA
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| Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 8:00 pm Post subject: |
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I still have my chains from the last time I visited in winter, though thankfully ive never found the need to install them.
btw, the server is still offline. I wouldn't mind checking out the documents as I had missed this thread until recently, please give us a heads up when it's resolving again. 
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SGKent
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 17550
Location: State Capitol CA (Sacramento)
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| Posted: Tue Nov 01, 2011 10:04 pm Post subject: |
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| airkooledchris wrote: | I still have my chains from the last time I visited in winter, though thankfully ive never found the need to install them.
btw, the server is still offline. I wouldn't mind checking out the documents as I had missed this thread until recently, please give us a heads up when it's resolving again. |
Will do. Our ISP changed subnets when we added TV and it looks like they are blocking http although we paid for a static IP. They will work on it tomorrow.
_________________
Steve aka Merlin the Wrench
formerly Steve's Racing and Engine Blueprinting. Wrenching since 1967.
bdamico on GF wrote | Quote: | | "When I was your age I'd plan out all sorts of stuff for the future and almost none of them came true. Just wonder if it's worth trying to be a crystal ball. " |
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SGKent
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 17550
Location: State Capitol CA (Sacramento)
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| Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 1:46 pm Post subject: |
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My ISP unblocked the IP. The powerpoint is faster to download if you have powerpoint. The PDF is 42meg so it takes awhile. If you have seen it before there is nothing new in it since about a year ago.
_________________
Steve aka Merlin the Wrench
formerly Steve's Racing and Engine Blueprinting. Wrenching since 1967.
bdamico on GF wrote | Quote: | | "When I was your age I'd plan out all sorts of stuff for the future and almost none of them came true. Just wonder if it's worth trying to be a crystal ball. " |
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SGKent
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 17550
Location: State Capitol CA (Sacramento)
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| Posted: Sat Apr 07, 2012 12:19 pm Post subject: |
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| SGKent wrote: | nice 500 mile trip this weekend in the bus and it ran like a dream. Took US 50 from Sacramento to South Lake Tahoe and then to US 395, south to Le Vining, up over Tioga Pass (9,943') to Yosemite Valley. Spent the night camping - installed the Hella fogs from my totaled Acura before we left and it was nice to have them. Came down this morning to Oakdale, Manteca and up Highway 99. All the handling issues are gone now - it feels as good as my 1971 did and the wind doesn't push it any worse than the 1971. It was very easy to work the turns through the Sierra without any wander and we are not buffeted by SUV's passing us anymore.
Engine used about 1/2 quart on the first 7400' climb up US 50 over Echo Summit which I pushed it pretty hard. I was a little concerned but the remaining 400 miles which also included a couple 8000' climbs it didn't use a drop although I didn't push it as hard. We had a long downhill compression brake when the oil was hot - 230F and I suspect that may have been when the engine pulled the oil in. No leaks - didn't have a drop on the floor when we got home. Very happy with the engine. Max head temp on the trip was during the long sustained climbs over the Sierras - max head temp about 415F and oil got up to 230F. Normally it stayed in the 350F - 370F range on the heads and 180F on the oil. Fuel economy averaged for the whole trip came out to 18.9 mpg. Saw one early Mexican Beige bay in Lake Tahoe but no other bays or splits on the trip. One vanagon and one Eurovan camper were at the campgrounds in the valley where we stayed. I really thought we might see some more bays but nothing came our way.
Take care - |
Finally got around to adjusting the valves after the October trip. Bus has mostly sat since then. Getting it ready for the Niello run.
Heads were rebuilt by RIMCO. The heads have about 2000 miles on them so they and the valves are still seating in IMHO. Not too shabby for 1000 miles since the last adjust and a grueling 500 mile trip on them through the Sierras. Engine is about 1/2 quart over so some of that oil was hiding in the heads I think when we checked it in Tahoe. Has a small oil drip from the flywheel area - maybe 4 drops total. Oh well, what is a VW without a small oil drip? It has been sitting so some of that may be from the valve cover leak before the trip (old gaskets that were too hard to take up the play).
Pre-adjustment
1
I .006
E .005 or a tight .006
2 .
I .007
E .006
3
I .006
E .006
4
I .007
E .007
_________________
Steve aka Merlin the Wrench
formerly Steve's Racing and Engine Blueprinting. Wrenching since 1967.
bdamico on GF wrote | Quote: | | "When I was your age I'd plan out all sorts of stuff for the future and almost none of them came true. Just wonder if it's worth trying to be a crystal ball. " |
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SGKent
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Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 17550
Location: State Capitol CA (Sacramento)
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 9:08 pm Post subject: |
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took it to Yosemite camping this weekend. Ran outstanding. Average head temp 370 F. Range 350 F to 405 F. Oil temp average 210 F range 180 F to 230 F. Lots of power. 6500' climb. With the tailwind 23 MPG, into the headwind 17 MPG.
_________________
Steve aka Merlin the Wrench
formerly Steve's Racing and Engine Blueprinting. Wrenching since 1967.
bdamico on GF wrote | Quote: | | "When I was your age I'd plan out all sorts of stuff for the future and almost none of them came true. Just wonder if it's worth trying to be a crystal ball. " |
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VDubTech
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Joined: December 29, 2002
Posts: 8551
Location: Syracuse, NY
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 9:21 pm Post subject: |
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Gorgeous pic Steve, thanks for sharing!!
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First Trip in the RustyBus:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=279077&highlight=
| borninabus wrote: | | a measurement of your rod would be extremely useful. |
| notchboy wrote: | | my dad wasnt a belittling cock when he tought me how to wrench on cars. |
| EverettB wrote: | One photo = good for reference.
10 photos = douchebaggery |
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SGKent
Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007
Posts: 17550
Location: State Capitol CA (Sacramento)
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 9:25 pm Post subject: |
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| VDubTech wrote: | | Gorgeous pic Steve, thanks for sharing!! |
If you ever get out this way you have to see the park when the snow melt ramps the falls up.
_________________
Steve aka Merlin the Wrench
formerly Steve's Racing and Engine Blueprinting. Wrenching since 1967.
bdamico on GF wrote | Quote: | | "When I was your age I'd plan out all sorts of stuff for the future and almost none of them came true. Just wonder if it's worth trying to be a crystal ball. " |
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Westfabulous
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Joined: January 07, 2007
Posts: 4083
Location: The tropic of Canada, dodging the giant flying moose of Surrey!
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| Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 9:47 pm Post subject: |
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Looking great Steve. Beautiful bus and scenery.
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curtis4085
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