Andy-

Your Catholic Converter may be clogged/fused, but I don't think driving up
a hill is a good measure. Our "beefed up" 2.0 (now a 2.15) loses some speed
going up hills, and some hills (like in the mountains) could cause it to
lose all the way down to 48. It has a new Catholic converter. It is easy to
replace the converter, and only costs $115 with gaskets.

Keep in mind, it is a big, heavy brick, powered by a relatively
in-efficient, but durable 2.0, it is going to struggle.

G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett
Corporate Communications Counselors
www.bulley-hewlett.com
Cary, NC USA
888.468.4880 tollfree

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herein and herein contained, et cetera, et cetera . . . fax mentis
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delicatum!" It's all there, black and white, clear as crystal!      -Wonka

-----Original Message-----
From:   Andy [SMTP:easoars@EMAIL.MSN.COM]
Sent:   Friday, January 14, 2000 9:51 PM
To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject:        82 WESTY PERFORMANCE

My 82 westy averages 16.4 mpg no matter what...highway or city. It seems
like aerodynamics plays a big role in highway mileage. Most cars get better
gas mileage on the highway. Engine runs great...sparkplugs shows great
burning results...exhaust pipe looks clean...no traces of carbon deposits
through out... almost looks like a lean burn. Engine rebuilt professionally
aprox. 3,000 miles on it. One question could my catalytic converter be
partially clogged...the reason why I bring this up is that I cross a high
sloped long bridge everyday to work. I can accelerate full speed and when I
reach the top of the bridge I'm doing 45-48 mph. If I go up the same bridge
with the accelerator pedel press down at 25 percent I will meet the same
speed. It seems to me that the Westy has more power on the low end. Does
this makes sence?
Andy
82 Westy manual tranny