Engine RPM

VW's aircooled mini SUV. Great for riding in the country, or cruising the beach.
waynek
Posts: 72
Joined: Sat Jan 18, 2003 12:01 am

Engine RPM

Post by waynek »

Hi all,
Installed a tach in my Thing and was wondering how this compared
to other Things. At 60mph my tach shows 3000 RPM. Taking in
consideration the degree of error in this tach, does this sound about
right.
Also installed an oil temp sensor with VDO gauge.What is the max temp
I should expect if the engine is ok. I suspect 215-220 is about right..
radioman
Posts: 83
Joined: Thu Jan 30, 2003 12:01 am

Post by radioman »

My tack seems to run about half the speed. ie at 50 it is about 2500, at 60 (whew!) it is about 3000. etc etc....depending what gear you are in. I also have a VDO oil temp (sensor in the oil change pan center hole) and I never read more than 180 F .....but I don't drive the Thing 200 miles at 60 mph. Just around town.Seems to me I read once that operating temp of oil is about 176-180 f at the point I measure it. Stock 73 Thing. I also installed a VDO oil pressure gauge, which I find much more beneficial.
waynek
Posts: 72
Joined: Sat Jan 18, 2003 12:01 am

Post by waynek »

Radioman thanks for reply.My sensor is located in the pressure relief
threaded spot, I'm not sure what the temp should be at that point.I
took my thing to town last week, about 8 miles at 60-65 mph, that's when
I showed 3000 rpm plus my temp ran at about 180, but then the
outside temp was 12c at the time.Needless to say, I was dressed warm.
The engine is a 1641 with Weber ICT 34's and we did a three angle
cut on the heads.Suppose to make the engine breath better, I'm told.
This engine was totally redone,and has maybe 200 miles on it. The
transmission is a stock Thing with 14" wheels.
radioman
Posts: 83
Joined: Thu Jan 30, 2003 12:01 am

Post by radioman »

waynek: That sounds fine to me. Change the oil every 3K, cleaning the screen and enjoy. :D
User avatar
Captain Spalding
Posts: 38
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2005 8:05 pm

Re: Engine RPM

Post by Captain Spalding »

waynek wrote:Hi all,
Installed a tach in my Thing and was wondering how this compared
to other Things. At 60mph my tach shows 3000 RPM. Taking in
consideration the degree of error in this tach, does this sound about
right.
It's important when considering everyones responses that larger diameter tires will give you more speed for a given RPM.
Also installed an oil temp sensor with VDO gauge. What is the max temp I should expect if the engine is ok. I suspect 215-220 is about
right..
180°?220°...... Optimum.
225°?235°...... Warm
235°+.............. Time to do something about it.
Post Reply