<VV> 3.1 liter

[James Davis]

Generally cylinder head heat is not a problem for an UltraVan with 
deflashed heads.  Those running stock exhaust manifolds usually have the 
lower shrouds removed and the exhaust manifolds reversed.  I chose to 
run headers to remove the heat sink from under the heads with a 1961 
style fan.  I use shorty shrouds with the headers to supply cabin heat 
in cool weather.  Running across Kansas after the Convention, I saw 
cylinder head temperatures around 310 F degrees with the ambient of 110+ 
F.  I was cruising at 60 mpg (3,300 rpm).  The real problem is with oil 
temperatures.  With the 3.1 operation at full throttle for 30 minutes or 
longer, when climbing in the mountains, oil temps often exceed 290 F 
degrees.  That is with a B&M auxiliary plate type  oil cooler of 110 sqin.
Jim Davis
52,000 miles with a 3.1 in an UltraVan

On 4/25/2012 8:43 AM, Cliff Tibbitts wrote:
> Tom, I suppose you could call it a kit.  Several people are doing it.
> Essentially, you replace the pistons and cylinders with 92mm pistons from a
> VW.  It is not a simple bolt on application.  The cylinder fins need to be
> re-drilled in order to fit over our head studs.  The crankcase and heads
> need to be machined to accept the larger pistons and I believe the small rod
> ends on our connecting rods need to be machined to accept the VW piston
> pins.  There is probably more to it than that.
>
> What many claim to achieve is more low end torque.  This alone should make
> it a worthwhile investment in a Whale.  The only concern I would have would
> be additional heat.  I don't know how well the engine cools in an Ultra.
> However, they seem to work very well in the cars.  I know several and have
> driven at least one car with a 3.1 in it.  Consider this.  You pick up about
> an additional 15% cubic inches.  Since the weight of the rotational mass
> increase is almost negligible, it is like getting free horsepower.  That is
> if you discount the $2000 plus dollars for the conversion, depending on how
> much work you do yourself.
>
> Cliff Tibbitts