<VV> engine temp crossing the desert

[Bill Elliott]

Ambient temps don't affect an aircooled vehicle in the same way they do 
a waterpumper (the temps at which the heat exchange works in a radiator 
is much closer to the ambient temps). My wife went though 113 degrees 
ambient in her lap of the US last year.

This was in a fully laden VW Westfalia (heavier than an empty Ramp) with 
a 110/PG/3.55 drivetrain. The heads were carefully deflashed and we ran 
an external PG cooler (which a FC already has) and she never saw head 
temps over 300 (measured at the sparkplug... that would be 380-390 at 
the stock thermistor location) except on long grades if she let it lug 
in high.

Really very little different than at 80 degrees ambient (acknowledging 
that the thermocouples will read slightly lower in warmer ambient 
temps). Shifting into Low (around 55mph)  immediately cooled the heads 
back down to the 275-280 range. Stock lower shrouds, stock 12 plate 
cooler, stock oil pan and valve covers.

Bill

shortle wrote:

>Hey All,
>   I am getting my 1963 Rampside 95HP,3.55, powerglide ready to drive to Ventura next month (about 850 miles). I am most concerned with going thru the desert. My cylinder head temp gauge sits just over 350 while driving. I am running the Otto Parts oil pan and valve covers and Clarks finned trans pan with the stock FC trans cooler.I also have the 12 plate engine oil cooler with both side covers.
>   Should I drive with lower shrouds removed? Should I drive in the middle of the night? Anybody have any suggestions on what I can do to make this trip a success?
>As always, I thank you all.
>Timothy Shortle in Durango Colorado
>  
>