These oil temps are common for any VW engine running at high RPMS.  Since it
is a conversion, do you at least have the oil to water heat exchanger that
both diesels and GTI engines used? Try driving 5-10 mph slower to see if
that helps. if so, than high RPM is the cause and additional oil cooling
capacity is needed. You may also try running with the oil a half quart low.
The reduced windage in the crankcase may help lower the oil temp.

Dennis

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ken Hunter" <EVEHART33@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, January 22, 2000 8:55 PM
Subject: Diesel oil temperatures

> Do any of you diesel owners have any feedback regarding oil temperatures?
My
> 82 Westy has a 1.9L diesel conversion and runs up to 270F in 40F ambient
here
> in Albuquerque. This is at hwy speed of 60-65mph. My tranny is the DM with
> 5.42 ring and pinion (the DZ tranny is 5.86 r&p and is supposedly more
> common). I run 28X8.5 14 tires to raise the gear ratio so I don't feel I'm
> pushing the motor that hard.