Greg:
Welcome to the list.  My impression is that you have a perfectly normal
Vernon... If that is possible...;>)

Jose Rafael Moscoso, T.R., M.P.H.
Program Director
Programa de Technology Radiological
Universidad Central Del Caribe (www.uccaribe.edu)
Call Box 60-327; Bahaman PR  00960-6032
Tel: (787)798-3006; Fax: (787) 785-3425
----- Original Message -----
From: "Greg Pizzolato" <chestnuts@USWEST.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, February 21, 2000 10:45 PM
Subject: maiden trip on rebuilt 85' GL

>     Hey listee's, how was everyone's weekend? good I hope.
> I'm happy to report that my weekend was definetely a fun
> one, and a load off. let me explain. last july i bought my
> first vanagon, an 85 GL that I knew needed quite a bit of
> work, but also knew that I could do it. so i bought it and
> started in on the task of making it the type of van that I
> could trust my trip plans as well as my life with. first
> things first i stripped down the engine to basically a long
> block. and started building it back up from there completely
> cleaning the entire air intake system, and replacing every
> vacuum hose on the vehicle. I then painstakingly cleaned
> everyinch of the engine compartment as well as the engine,
> and as i did this took the time to inspect any, and all
> parts, which were replaced or repaired as necessary. Well
> along with the freshly polished air intake system, I also
> had to install a completely new exhaust system minus the
> catalytic conv. luckily it was still in good shape. i
> decided to go with all factory pipes on the exhaust. for the
> extra money i know i can expect a long life out of the
> exhaust. well next i basically did the same to the
> transmission, removing axle shafts, cleaning, replacing any
> seals, rebuilding and repacking cv axles, removing and
> replacing every bushing or part subject to wear on the
> entire shifter linkage assembly. i think you get the idea of
> the care and time i've put into this project. but I
> basically went over inch of the van incuding radiator,
> baffle, spare tire area, as well as the dash and all
> controls. Well like i said i had a happy weekend because me
> and two buddies drove it down to big sky, in montana to do
> some snowboarding, and from what i could tell. i would like
> to gather advice on some aspects of it's performance. do
> these things soun normal, an thoughts, or suggestions?
> average cruising speed was about 70 mph the van seemed to
> want to go about this fast, personality. another thing that
> surprised me was the mileage, like i said there were three
> of us with gear, and altogethor weighed probably 700lb's, we
> were getting somewhere between 230 - 250 miles per tank,
> does that sound about right and that included one mountain
> pass each way, a pretty big one. Through the passes it moved
> at a pretty solid 50 mph in 3rd gear. last concern is that i
> was experiencing some stalling more often when it was cold
> but it would do it under both conditions, and it would only
> stall if it were just idling. Well like i said it was a fun
> trip and went well. but i would love any thoughts on
> anything above, particularly any tips or tricks on
> increasing mileage, and maybe a little more hp out of the
> 1.9l.I've heard a lot of stories about the vans stalling but
> i thought that was just with the digifants. Thanks ahead of
> time for any help.
>                                                     gjpizz