Vanagon lives, like a Phoenix riding through the desert

The Westfalia, new rebuilt engine and all, survived the ultimate trial. The trip from Temecula to Flagstaff Az involved driving through searing heat, ( temp topped out at 108F today), and strenuous climbs (7000+ feet of elevation)
   Daniel, the mechanic at California Westys, told me to keep the engine temp at 150 degree. When we first started climbing into the high desert the engine temperture hit 165 F. So we pulled over, and let the Subaru  engine cool down. The next climb we pulled over again. The third climb I decided to use Daniels' trick of turning on the heat to cool down the engine.
The outside temp was hovering at 106F, why not turn on the heat in the car, it was already a furnace.
The trick worked, the engine temp went back to 150F. So every time we climbed on went the heat.
  I was told not to use the AC during the engine break in period (1000miles),    nice....we picked the hottest day of the year to travel with no AC and the heat on......
      Cesar did give me 5 quarts of oil (Castrol 20/50) and a new bosch oil filter,
 for when we hit the 1000 miles. Those guys were great........

Here is the old engine core, notice the wear in the cylinder chamber two had wear spots, the third cylinder was cracked....ouch......

 The desert was hot.........

Proper driving position, notice the left leg,  temp reads 104F....



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