Greg;

I've had my '85 Westy Weekender since April.  Can't say the automatic runs
any hotter than a stick.  Gas mileage is not great but you have to consider
that you are driving a 5K+ pound shoe box that will sleep four -- then it
ain't so bad.  Summer I get 17 mpg around town and 19+ highway.  Winter it
drops to 15-16 around town and 17-18 highway.  I take it easy with my low
mileage 1.9L (49K) and keep my highway speeds to 65 sometimes 70 to keep from
being run over.  I've made short trips (100 miles or so) at 75-80 but the mpg
drops dramatically.

Change the filter screen, gasket, and fluid, and enjoy it.

Chuck