A long afternoon

[mbulriss]

Well Ron, IMO I think a slightly cooler temp promotes engine longevity. Rick
Archie and Leroy Eckert reported good results going with lower temp thermostats.
Maybe they will pop in here to articulate further on their results.

In my case, when I am not running the A/C the temp constantly rises to 195 and
then drops to 180 when the t-stats open and then it constantly repeats the
cycle. If (and since) I run the A/C constantly, it puts the fan in override and
running all the time and keeps the temp at 180, where I am more comfortable.
From my years on the forum, I have learned that the 6V/8V Detroits do not
tolerate temps much over 200 very well. My feeling is that 195 does not give me
much comfort room if a t-stat sticks, or a water hose breaks. Bluebird
over-engineered the dashboard, but the two most important IMO are still oil
pressure and water temp. While I watch both of those pretty carefully, I do not
like having to drive with one eye on the temp gauge constantly.

Since I mainly drive in a relatively very warm area of the country (the last two
months notwithstanding) 170 seems to give a bigger margin of safety and I find
it hard to believe that the Detroit will react badly to a 10 degree lower water
jacket temp. Now I admit that I am assuming that the 170 t-stats will rise to
180+ before they cycle back down to 170 and close, thereby cycling like my
current t-stats. If it sounds like my current t-stats are just worn out, and
cycling too high, let me know.

Anyway, that's why 170 t-stats are on my to-do list.

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "ronmarabito2002"
wrote:
>
> Mike: Why do you want to change thermostats to 170's? Good heat without
overheat makes the engine run better and more efficiently. I think 180's is
cool enough.
>
> R.E. (Ron) Marabito, Dallas, TX 92WB40
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbulriss" <mbulriss@> wrote:
> >
> > I spent all afternoon (into the early evening) opening up the bed and then
the innards to be able to replace alternator #1 - one more time. In mine, I
also have to work around all the plumbing, which was conveniently installed in
the way of the engine hatch! After opening the floor, you can't even see the
alt!!! I have to stand on the tranny and kind of remove the alt by feel. I
bought a new one and replaced it. Not going to screw around rebuilding the old
one again - 7000 miles since the last time has soured me on rebuilds. Besides,
the new one was the same price as the last rebuild. This is really not a fun
job.
> >
> > After I finished installing the alt, I then installed a replacement turbo
intake tube that I found in a 'reclamation center' (aka: truck junk yard) to
replace the one that broke in South Padre. The weld job did not hold up. If
you want a good laugh, I called Detroit to see about getting a new one, because
I really wanted a new one. When I heard $500 for a piece of exhaust pipe, I
decided to try to find a used one. If anyone knows of a place to get part
number 5101394 (yup, it's stamped right on it) for way less than $500, let me
know please. And I used to think Harley parts were high dollar!
> >
> > Man, I am beat up and sore all over! I left the floor open as I want to
remove the 'infamous' coolant hoses to the air pump tomorrow. At least that's
the current plan. I realllllly am not looking forward to that job! I think I
will replace them with braided stainless steel hoses so I never have to do it
again!
> >
> > While I was having fun, the wife pulled each screen window and washed them,
did the Invisible Glass cleaning on each window, and then scrubbed each window
track and silicon lubed them. They slide open really nice now.
> >
> > It seems my to-do list just keeps growing without getting shorter! Is it
just me? I want to change the thermostats to 170s. I need to rebuild the Gast
air pump. I have service the air dryer on the list. I plan to pull the
electric heaters to clean them out. And on and on..... And I haven't even
started on the wife's list of modifications yet! I keep wondering: Are we
having fun yet?
> >
> > Long day..... having fun.
> >
> >
> > Mike Bulriss
> > 1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
> > San Antonio, TX
> >
>