>I think Simon's got a good point John, a terrific post anyway. Reminded
>me of aircooled aero-engines for a minute there.
>Bill too. Great stuff, I feel ashamed now having to admit mine's a poxy
>Wasserboxer, so if I go near any sand or big hills on a hot day, I'm
>going to check at least the cooling fan's working and the rad's really
>clean, inside and out. 50/50 antifreeze mix as well.

Well, I have always felt that way about any of the aircooled VW engines I
have beaten up on. I suppose I could blame the present situation on the
fact that I am out of work and in no position to spend any money on a new
motor. Until lately, I have just gone ahead and towed a trailer with it,
driven it "off road," and never worried too much about it. Some good
advice came from someone on this list pointing out the fact that no matter
what I do to it, a new motor is still cheaper than a new car/van, so use
it, and if it breaks, fix it. I agree. I just can't afford to fix it at
the moment, so maybe I am overly cautious.

I am a bit concerned tho, because it has never run this hot in the year
and a half I have had the temp gauge. One thing I have noticed is that
running 70MPH on a wide, crowded freeway it will head quickly for 250
degrees, but when I take the state highways, like through much of wyoming,
it will run 20 degrees cooler, still running along at 70. A lot of it is
certainly the temperature of the road.

Oil is good, the tin is all there, the fan works, and the thermostat......
How do I test that?? Guess I better go dig out mr bentley.

The 'vanagon man' vouches for the extra oil cooler. It will be priority
one when I get back to work. I hear that all I need to do is move to
Oregon, dial up a legislator, and I can be pumping gas in not time at all!
<g>

Thanks for all the good advice and comments.

Regards from Hell,

John