I think Rick's right. He should not have a problem with engine cooling due to lack of squirrel. Cab heating may suffer but he's got a Propex! Perhaps best to focus on why the temp gauge gives it's readings?
perhaps best to do what vinnyboy did...... they don't call them worry gauges for nothing! seriously though my method of thinking is just process of elimination, there is no way the main fan flaps can be shut with engine running, i think they are there to stop the squirrel pushing hot air back into the fan if it runs, and vice versa if the squirrel ones are missing but if you have no squirrel then that can't happen as long as the risers are blocked off, it's obvious my engine is running warmer even if the gauge is dodgy as it is higher (wether it's correct is negligeable it's still higher) i reckon this is due to missing bottom tin in part plus the more cluttered under engine with exchangers over j tubes, don't forget, i had a big scoop fitted to the end of the Y tube that collected ram air as i drove along and in effect forced it out of the Y ends over the bottom of the engine, it was a 'mod' from america.... however it's now lost as the Y is connected up as it should be to pipes and pods etc, this has no doubt helped push the temp up as i'm sure the 'mod' did do some sort of cooling.
Yes, get some bottom tins quick. See if Monkey Harris has any. If not I bet he could find some for you, if only to keep his reputation!
found out at the weekend there are different types of bottom tin depending on if you have the smaller more direct euro spec' heat exchangers or as i have, the stateside version with rear afterburner pipes that curve back on themselves, so i now need that version of tin which i guess is gonna be sourced on the samba so i'll have to join that site as i've only browsed never bought, unless anyone knows of an american breakers or suchlike?
bertie, are you running american exchangers then? i'm led to belive the stateside ones are pretty easily available on the samba, it's the euro ones that rot and are hard to find, i've been promised a full set of the ones i need but it could be months away so i'm thinking i'll see if i can find some quicker. i've then got to source flaps and a thermostat and i should be there, i know monkey harris has flaps (oh missus) so it's all about tin really.
my bus is a USA import and came with the horrible and heavy original American heat exchangers and catalytic converter. I swapped over to European spec heat exchangers when I got the engine rebuilt and am running a Vintage Speed exhaust off these. The bit of lower tin I have fitted was given to me by Laurie Pettit when he dropped off the engine (which was nice) so I didnt have it fitted to the old exchangers. I then bought what I thought was the other side only to find that I had just got another one identical to the one I had. I can send you a photo and some measurements if it helps. I've got spare flaps also as luck would have it.
i'm sticking with the american spec' it's big and bulky yes but i've got it sealed and all running well, took me ages to get/adapt risers etc but heat is fine, so the spare tin you have won't fit mine anyway and i guess the american stuff's long gone? would be interested in flaps if price right, does it have rod etc?
I bought a windscreen from him about 15 years ago. Good bloke - he was bang on time when I met him to pick it up.
