Eric, nice report on BusFusion.  I missed seeing you at BusFusion.  I did not even know you were there until you had left.  So……I will see you at West River Westies.  It’s been a long time I have not gone but will be there this year.  Glad you enjoyed BusFusion !

Frank

> On Jun 22, 2023, at 12:00 AM, Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> wrote:
> 
> Hi Folks,
> 
>        I wanted to write this up before memory fades, and that is =
> already happening!
> 
> We set out in June to go from Southern VT to Almonte Ontario.  Plan was =
> to then return via the Thousand Islands.
> 
>        Just before leaving we went for Vt inspection and failed.  My =
> front wheels wobbled.
>        I talked to a few friends including Dennis H and was encouraged =
> to try to fix them.  I only had the afternoon as we planned to leave the =
> next day.
> 
> No real stress though as my 84 was running great and could have made the =
> trip.
>        Dennis was very helpful describing the way to get to the nut and =
> how the ping worked.=20
>        the hard part was getting the cap off.
> I broke a claw hammer, snapping it off in the process.  Finally a =
> strange shaped heavy print bar, from a road side free pile, had just the =
> right angle.  With a wood backing and brute force it came off.=20
>        I was told to turn just a bit but the nut was pretty loose so =
> I=E2=80=99m guessing it turned more than one revolution.
>        Put it together and wheel turned easily but no wobble.  Other =
> side went easier.=20
> 
> So, set off with  uninspected  van but in working order. =20
> Fixing it was easier then unpacking and repacking the other van!
> 
> So, we set off in the 85 with about 500 miles on the GW 2.3 engine.  I =
> had changed out the break in oil and we were off.
> 
>        We met up with friends in Underhill VT and then 6 vans traveled =
> to Almonte Canada the next morning.
>        My scan gauge is still not perfectly set up. I need help setting =
> the speedo again.  But temps and pressure seem to be working on the scan =
> and Vido units.
> 
>        At start up oil pressure is about 60 PSI when hot it is about 38 =
> at idle, and about 58 when rolling.  Oil temp seems about 200. Trans =
> most often about 180 Coolant about 196. Numbers when rolling along fully =
> warmed up.
>        Gas mileage ranged from 15 to 18 miles per gallon, averaging =
> about 16.8.  At one time I compared my mileage to a friends van with 2.5 =
> Subaru and auto Trans.  We both showed 134 miles on our odometers as we =
> were traveling following him.  They match almost perfectly.  Our tru =
> distance according to him was 6 percent more due to our larger tire =
> diameters.  It came to 18 MPg. For me and slightly better about 18.6 for =
> him.  I was able to fit about .6 gallons more in my tank than he could.  =
> We had filled up at the same times.
> 
> So, my 2.3 was really doing very nicely compared to his 2.5.  Average =
> speeds were about 60 on smaller roads  And we were following him so =
> hills were at about the same speeds.
> 
> I still have a very small drip from engine.  But, I set off with the oil =
> right in the middle of the lines.  And on return, oil was still exactly =
> in the middle.  About a 700 mile trip.
> Only issue was, friends reported left brake light fainter than the =
> other.  I fixed with sand paper. So cleaning and protection is on my =
> list.
> All vans in the group did well.
> One of the 2.1 engines had a small running issue and a small muffler =
> repair on route but made the trip.
> 
> 2 Auto trans my 2.3 GW and friends 2.5 Subaru
> 2 2.1 Standard=20
> A 2.2 subaru Standard=20
> And a Pasat engine running backwards with Audi transmission=20
> 
> At Bus Fusion there were at least 5 List members that I know of, that is =
> folks from this list.=20
> Tom and I were there, We met Pete, Dan, and Steve.
> 
>        If you were there let us know.
> 
> Trip back was good. At one point Heidi reported a very high oil temp so =
> I don=E2=80=99t know what was up with that.  All other numbers were =
> normal.  Oil was about 230 or 240.  After a stop it settle back as far =
> as I know.
> 
> So, 85 needs a few things this winter for care but at the moment is =
> ready for the road.=20
> 
> Bus Fusion was great.  230 tickets sold abut I think about 200 buses.  =
> The Raffle included some nice items but I didn=E2=80=99t manage to win =
> the vC bumper set.  But I did win a local unusual gift basket including =
> vodka made from cows milk.  Strange I know but actually not bad.  =
> Strangely, my wife that doesn=E2=80=99t drink much and doesn=E2=80=99t =
> like milk, actually liked it.
> 
> Oh, and on the way back I met a very nice couple with a beautiful 87 =
> camper.  I described in an earlier post.  I shared the list info with =
> them so we may see them on list in the future.=20
> This is the van that had the Dennis H hitch among other very nice =
> updates.
> 
> Eric Caron=20
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Date:    Wed, 21 Jun 2023 17:12:36 -0700
> From:    Dug Smith <dug@DUGBERT.COM <mailto:dug@DUGBERT.COM>>
> Subject: Re: Ignition switch question
> 
> I've had the ignition switch think the key is still in - I have to put
> the key back in and wiggle it a little.
> 
> On 6/21/2023 06:28, Eric Caron wrote:
>> HI Jim,
>> 
>>         I only know about the radio behavior when hooked to key buzzer because that is how Dennis set up my radio when he did a wiring repair on it.
>> 
>>         And the original poster mentioned that the new behavior was that the radio stayed on even after key pulled until door opened.
>> 
>> Likely Jim is right that the radio goes to buzzer, but something extra is going on.
>> 
>> I look forward to a update, even though it may be years down the road!
>> 
>> Eric Caron

Cheers,    

Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 VW Westy, '00 Kawasaki 250 Sherpa, "98 Ducati 750 Monster 
BusFusion a VW Camper camping event, Almonte, ON, June 2023
Lionel Trains (Collection for sale)