Sounds like you are comparing apples to oranges or is that peaches to ....
<g> Anyway,  if I read the post right, that's an 83 air-cooled and not a
83.5 wasserboxer. Best air-cooled tech info at type2.com archives.

I would encourage those with air-cooled engines to subscribe to the type2
list. My 82 California model air-cooled Westy is running today because of
the members of that list.

Bill  V.                 "I'd Rather Be Hiking The
'82 CA Westy [FreeBird]       Greater Yellowstone"
"Famous Potatoes"

> t ob wrote:
> >
> > I have an 83 AC Vanagon 7 passenger. I just hooked up the oil
> temp sensor and
> > I wish to know what a good stable temp for running freeways at
> 65 would be.
>
> Hi Tim,
>
> I have full digital gauges in my '86 Syncro and typically around town
> the coolant temp is 195*F and the oil temp is 205*F. On the freeway the
> coolant temp stays below 200*F but the oil temp has gone as high as
> 227*F @ 70 mph. It important to remember that my '86 has an oil cooler
> and I think your '83 does not.
>
> Regads,    JP
>