You might try using an 80C thermostat and 80C fan switch in the radiator for
better cooling and use propane injection for periods where you need more
power.  Do a search in google on VW propane injection.
TEMiller

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gary Liess" <joyluck@SONIC.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 2:17 AM
Subject: Over heated and need more power!

> I just returned from a camping trip to the Sierra's around Lake Tahoe and
> south. I have an 82-diesel westy with a 1.9 TD.  When driving in the
> mountains the temperature gauge was 2/3 when running at 55 MPH, its warmer
> than I would like but I can live with it.  When I tried to climb (in
second
> gear) Monitor pass (8000 ft.) the temp gauge went to 7/8 and then the
light
> went on and the expansion tank blew its top and boiled water out.
>
> I have two questions for this group who seem to know everything about
these
> vans.
>
> Would putting in a radiator from a gas model 1983 or later improve the
> diesels cooling and would it be adequate? While I was on the side of the
> road on Monitor pass I saw a Vanagon that had climbed the pass coming down
> from the other way, so I'm guessing that the water boxer cooling is
adequate.
>
> I need more power for climbing in the mountains, at 6000 to 8000 ft.; I
> could only go 35 mph up some of the hills and was passed by a semi. I am
> installing an intercooler. Short of installing a TDI is there anything I
> can do to get more power or torque from this engine?
>
> Any help would be appreciated from the respected and honored geniuses of
> the group.
>
> Gary
>