I wonder if the TYPE2 bus's are running cooler than the 80-83 air cooled
Vanagon?

I guess yes, just because of the difference in weight! i never drove (did
I?)a air-cooled Vanagon, i wonder how powerfull they are compare to TYPE2
Bus's and water-cooled Vanagon??? I feel that they are the worse (power)

My oil did climb once (in Mexico) at 260F, the head temp was at 600F (he he,
not funny at all at the time...) A plastic bag made it's way into the engine
compartment (or i forgot one there!!!!), it was suck by the cooling fan and
staid there (stuck to the grill), it took only 1/2 miles and the engine was
red hot!

Even in normal driving condition (Nothing was quite normal at this time)
when the heads temp was at 430-450, the oil temp was at 220-230, more heat
outside, more the oil temp was! At night, never the oil temp went over 200F

Don't pack anything in the engine compartment!!! Not good.
http://www.desert2002.com/heads.htm

Cheers, Ben