I have the 82 Diesel Vanagon Westy 4 sp and I'd say 60 is comfortable.  I can
hit upwards to 70 with no wind- but aye-curumba... I think that's in the self
destruct range.  See Martin Jagersand's Westy Diesel Page- He says in there' you
risk blowing the engine going that fast.
http://www.cs.rochester.edu/u/jag/vw/   This is a fantastic source for the
diesel Vanagon/Westy owner!   Thanks Martin!!!!   Joel Hembel 82 Westy Diesel L
in Wisconsin- Mooo!

Michael Snow wrote:

> Diesel Vanagon:  If you don't get it, you just don't get it.  It's not the
> fastest, but it's fast enough.  It's not the most quiet, but I can converse
> on the highway.  There's no power (name your trouble prone accessory), but I
> can ignore all the threads about how superfluous accessories caused X number
> of problems resulting in Y dollars spent on repairs instead of adventurous
> trips and cold adult beverages.  IMHO it IS the most economical and reliable
> VW van (flame suit buttoned up tight).  My one bitch... no Syncro version
> available in the USA.  You just can't have it all :-(
>
> I wouldn't drive my 4 speed van at 65-67 for extended periods, but I have no
> scientific evidence to say that it will kill the engine.  The 5 speed,
> however, will do that on flat ground all day long without giving me the
> willies.  If you are using a "C" rated oil for diesel engines (Shell,
> Chevron, Pennzoil, etc.) and your engine is not on its last legs, there
> should not be a sludge problem at 3000 miles.  If you are having oil
> viscosity problems (too thick) I would consider oil analysis.  It is more
> likely to be soot than sludge.  If so, you need some engine service SOON.
> Excessive soot in the oil will KILL the engine.  Check the archives on this
> one.  Someone blew a low mileage diesel from excessive soot in the oil.
>
> A Friday/Sunday message from one of the diesel possessed,
>
> Mike Snow
> Camp Pendleton, California
> 1982 Westfalia 1.6TD
> 1983 ASI 1.6D