I learned why they call things "streamlined" when I saw some formula ford
guys testing some mods at Portland intnl raceway
  They had a little oil can full of Mt 90 gear oil and they were putting
evenly-spaced drips all across this wing they were testing...they did a few
laps then came in and checked the drip's streaming tracks across the
surface... straight meant good airflow...all crooked or backwards tracings
meant "turbulence"
   I also learned that any turbulence at the front of the moving object,
it's negative effect just grows and disturbs the airflow all the way
back...so a little effort to make the front end ( like those chin spoilers)
flow better has a surprising amount of worth.
  That being said...aero and Vanagon?   Huh?

On Sat, Nov 3, 2018, 9:51 AM Stephen Grisanti <bike2vcu@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Wind tunnel. Smoke streams. Instrumentation. Lab coats. We need empirical
> data!
>
> Stephen
>
> Mobile
>
> > On Nov 3, 2018, at 11:21 AM, Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> >
> > In my ongoing Aero-sonic experiment, I refined the fairing strips at
> those
> > rain gutters between the doors and the windshield... Replaced the
> > preliminary trial with a smoother job and racers tape.  I've yet to
> > encounter a downpour to see if the modification causes water leaks, but I
> > did try it for about 60 miles in apparent wind of 120mph (50 mph Gorge
> > wind-70mph speed into it).
> >   It's a go!  It works.
> >    BTW, as I turned west on to Hwy 14 in Wa. into the headwind, a blue
> > Westie rolled past.  I followed him at a distance for about 15 miles at
> my
> > preferred cruising speed of ~60-65 mph.. Close to full gas with that
> kinda
> > headwind.  (I-4 ABA motor). When we came to the John Day grade, his speed
> > dropped and I went around,, still in 5th gear, though I did use 4th near
> > the summit to hold 60 mph...
> >   I bet my aero-mods helped with a couple mph better speed
> > .grin smiley face..
> >
> >> On Sat, Nov 3, 2018, 7:40 AM Jim. Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> What some people have tried--though I as yet am not one of them--is to
> tape
> >> up all the seams, window glass, etc around a door and drive the carat
> >> highway speeds. Remove and replace each strip of tape to discover the
> >> offending area.
> >>
> >> Jim
> >>
> >> On Sat, Nov 3, 2018 at 9:27 AM Mark McCulley <markmcculley@gmail.com>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >>> I could not discern a lessening of wind noise with the bubble wrap in
> >> the A
> >>> pillar openings and the fresh air vents.
> >>>
> >>> -Mark
> >>>
> >>> On Fri, Nov 2, 2018 at 11:46 AM Mark McCulley <markmcculley@gmail.com>
> >>> wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> Sure enough, if you grab the edge of the body just in front of the
> door
> >>>> opening you fingers will be in that opening. I just stuffed some
> bubble
> >>>> wrap in there as well as in the openings in the door and body for the
> >>> fresh
> >>>> air vents. I will test drive this afternoon and report back whether it
> >>> made
> >>>> a difference or not.
> >>>>
> >>>> -Mark
> >>>>
> >>>> On Fri, Nov 2, 2018 at 8:06 AM steve meassick <stevem@tdhvac.com>
> >> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>>> It is in front of the front wheels.  You can see the opening if you
> >> lay
> >>>>> under the van.  In the photos of the link, it is the rectangular
> space
> >>> to
> >>>>> the right of the oval cutout with the yellow foam.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Steve
> >>>>>
> >>>>> -----Original Message-----
> >>>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of
> >>> Eric
> >>>>> Caron
> >>>>> Sent: Thursday, November 1, 2018 8:16 PM
> >>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >>>>> Subject: Re: Aerodynamics?
> >>>>>
> >>>>> I’ve read a lot of threads but not this idea of filling in this A
> >> Piller
> >>>>> spot.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Can someone tell me where exactly tha opening is on onside of the
> van.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> I may be confused as to the A Piller.  I’ve not found a open spot
> >>> leading
> >>>>> up into the van.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Thanks for tips, note to any new members I’m blind so need a verbal
> >>>>> description not a picture or link to a picture.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Thanks,
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Eric Caron
> >>>>> 85 GL Auto
> >>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>>> On Nov 1, 2018, at 4:04 PM, steve meassick <stevem@TDHVAC.COM>
> >> wrote:
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Noise is also generated at the bottom of the A pillar on both sides.
> >>>>> It is open on the bottom and funnels noise up.  Foam can be put in
> the
> >>>>> bottom to reduce this noise, see this link:
> >>>>> http://www.t3-infos.de/t3-infos_d.html#wgummis  It is in German, but
> >>> you
> >>>>> can use google translate if you don't understand it.
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> Steve
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> -----Original Message-----
> >>>>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of
> >>>>> Dan N
> >>>>>> Sent: Thursday, November 1, 2018 12:46 PM
> >>>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >>>>>> Subject: Re: Aerodynamics?
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>> I don't think there's an easy way the reduce wind noise in general,
> >>>>> unless you're talking about whistling noises due window seals or from
> >>> fresh
> >>>>> air intakes. When I remove the dash to replace the heater blower I
> put
> >>>>> FatMat sound deadener on the nose panel, I reseal all the fresh air
> >>> hoses.
> >>>>> I also put FatMat on the door panels and all other side panels too.
> It
> >>>>> quiet down quite a lot, say about 50% but wind noise is still there.
> >>> Keep
> >>>>> in mind that a vanagon is not a luxury sedan/SUV or modern van. I am
> a
> >>>>> classical guitarist and I am very sensitive to noises/sounds and the
> >>> such.
> >>>>>
> >>>>
> >>>
> >>
>