Thanks Scott.

I thought the 195 was too wide. When closing the clam, I have to push
up on it (against the tire) to get it the past the latch.

I guess I could pull one of wheels (they're 185's) and try, but does a
185 tire fit without having to push up on the clam shell to get it
past the latch? Only 10mm difference though....

And upon your suggestions, it occurred to me just now (like duh!) that
I could remove the spare, drive it, and see if the smell persists.

Neil.

On Fri, Oct 31, 2008 at 2:04 PM, Scott Daniel  - Turbovans
<scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
> I doubt it's your spare tire smelling from burning.
> correct spare would be either 185R14C or 195/75 R14LT.
> the hose can only get up to about 180 to 200 degrees max........
> that wouldn't cause burning to the side of the spare tire I wouldn't think.
> Just drop the spare and take a temp reading on it with your trusty infrared
> temp gun, after a good hot run.
> Or even just take the reading from the side without dropping the spare.
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "neil N" <musomuso@GMAIL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Friday, October 31, 2008 12:27 PM
> Subject: Rubber Smell from front.
>
>
>> Hi all.
>>
>> Since my '81 Westy is now water cooled, the spare 195/14 tire (should
>> be a 185/14 I presume), pushes the clamshell metal bar against the
>> hose to bottom of rad.
>>
>> I can only assume the sidewall of the spare is closer to this hose
>> than it should be.
>>
>> Could this hose be heating up the sidewall on the spare thus creating the
>> smell?