Aircooled Technology Cross Country Engine Test

August 2, 2023 in Resources and Services

Pain and Endurance…

Cross Country expeditions prove our technology in adverse conditions and operating environments. In May of 2006 Jake Raby and Bill Kanz set off on a 3,450 mile trip across America to test out the “Type 4 Torquer” engine created by Aircooled Technology and featured in the “Hot VWs” article bearing the same name that spanned from March to Sept 2006.

LEG 1: CARROLTON, GA ->
Date / TimeLeg MilesTotal Miles
5/21/06 1:45 pm220407
MainsAirsTimingOilNotesMPG
13520032ControlRoof Rack On19.39

Weather: At fillup it was 85F, 38% RH, and 28.67 inHg barometric. No weather station screen shot

Comments: Went to Atlanta Bug Fever Show and hung out for a while.  There were about 50 cars there.  We mounted a roof rack in case we needed extra space, but removed it at the show because we didn’t need it, it was making a lot of noise and it was affecting handling of the car in the wind.

LEG 2: ATHENS, AL ->
Date / TimeLeg MilesTotal Miles
5/21/06 4:52 pm220407
MainsAirsTimingOilNotesMPG
14020032ControlRoof Rack Off21.80

Comments: Intemittent vibration found to be loose deck lid. Original bolt was found under passenger seat and replaced. Smooth running after.

LEG 3: HORSE CAVE, KY ->
Date / TimeLeg MilesTotal Miles
5/21/06 8:40 pm211617
MainsAirsTimingOilNotesMPG
14020032Control22.05

Pilots Notes: Smooth as glass, running flawless.

LEG 4A: LOUISVILLE, KY ->
Date / TimeLeg MilesTotal Miles
5/21/06 9:30 pmSee Leg #4See Leg #4
MainsAirsTimingOilNotesMPG
14020032ControlSee Leg #4

Pilots Notes: Compact flash card full and logging stopped before refueling. See Leg#4 for remainder of data.

LEG 4B: COLUMBUS, IN ->
Date / TimeLeg MilesTotal Miles
See Leg #4See Leg #4See Leg #4
LEG 4: WHITELAND, IN ->
Date / TimeLeg MilesTotal Miles
5/22/06 10:00am188188
MainsAirsTimingOilNotesMPG
14020032Control19.23

Pilots Notes: Cold weather, rolling hills, elf dreams.

LEG 5: MOMENCE, IL – LN ENGINEERING ->

Weight of car with Jake, Bill, fuel, and gear is 2480 pounds
The extra weight of Ray in back seat resulted in some serious tire rub that had to get fixed.
…in WalMart parking lot.
Mount was ground back with cordless grinder stowed for just an occasion…
Ray Iddings of VolksBash Radio
Jake thought he lived in a small town… Momence is home of Charles Navarro of LN Engineering.
LEG 6: PRINCETON, IL ->
Date / TimeLeg MilesTotal Miles
5/23/06 7:30 am1541168
MainsAirsTimingOilNotesMPG
15020032Test Lube#119.94

Weather: Weather station sensor not working — vibration failure?

Pilots Notes: Second data log of leg. First was interupted when the negative battery cable wiggled loose. Woke up at 3:30 am to hit road and do 1000 miles in 1 day. Test Lube#1 runs slightly smoother and is more responsive ot throttle (revs faster) than Castrol 20/50, but still runs 60 psig at cruise speed.

LEG 7: WILLIAMSBURG, IA ->
Date / TimeLeg MilesTotal Miles
5/23/06 9:39 am1491317
MainsAirsTimingOilNotesMPG
15020032Test Lube#119.39
LEG 8A: WEST OF DES MOINES, IA ->
Date / TimeLeg MilesTotal Miles
5/23/06 11:30 am1141432
MainsAirsTimingOilNotesMPG
15020032Test Lube#1Deck lid closed (all legs before as well)N/A

Weather: Whacked weather sensor and restored function.

LEG 8: ADAIR, IA ->
Date / TimeLeg MilesTotal Miles
5/23/06 12:15 pm461477
MainsAirsTimingOilNotesMPG
15020032Test Lube#1Deck lid propped open 2″20.63
LEG 9A: REST AREA, NE ->
Date / TimeLeg MilesTotal Miles
5/23/06 3:20 pm661543
MainsAirsTimingOilNotesMPG
15020032Test Lube#2Deck lid propped open 2″N/A

Pilots Notes: Bathroom break; new oil resulted in much less engine noise and cabin vibration (even Bill could notice)

LEG 9B: REST AREA, NE ->
Date / TimeLeg MilesTotal Miles
5/23/06 4:20 pm711614
MainsAirsTimingOilNotesMPG
150 (#1-3), 140 (#4)20032Test Lube#2Deck lid propped open 2″N/A

Pilots Notes: Changed #4 main jet to 140 trying to raise EGT to match other cylinders.  Huge winds making car difficult to control.

LEG 9: GAS, NE ->
Date / TimeLeg MilesTotal Miles
5/23/06 5:12 pm291642
MainsAirsTimingOilNotesMPG
150 (#1-3), 140 (#4)20032Test Lube#2Deck lid propped 2″; Fan Inlet Temp sender moved from Shroud to inside air cleaner and mounted outboard of #4 velocity stack19.21

Pilots Notes: Checking carb inlet temp compared to shroud inlet temp

LEG 10: GAS, NE ->
Date / TimeLeg MilesTotal Miles
5/23/06 8:00 pm1541796
MainsAirsTimingOilNotesMPG
150 (#1-3), 140 (#4)20032Test Lube#2Deck lid propped 2″; Fan Inlet Temp sender moved from Shroud to inside air cleaner and mounted outboard of #4 velocity stack19.21

Pilots Notes: Checking carb inlet temp compared to shroud inlet temp

LEG 11: JULESBURG, CO ->
Date / TimeLeg MilesTotal Miles
5/23/06 9:30 pm1521948
MainsAirsTimingOilNotesMPG
150 (#1-3), 140 (#4)20032Test Lube#2Deck lid propped 2″; Fan Inlet Temp sender moved from Shroud to on dip stick handle19.06

Pilots Notes: Checking bottom of propped open deck lid inlet temp compared to shroud inlet temp

LEG 12: STERLING, CO ->
Date / TimeLeg MilesTotal Miles
5/24/06 1:30 am1742122
MainsAirsTimingOilNotesMPG
150 (#1-3), 140 (#4)20032Test Lube#2Deck lid propped 2″; Fan Inlet Temp sender moved from Shroud to on dip stick handle19.06

Pilots Notes: “I’m not tired, really, I’m not!” (after 23 hours driving)

This photo represents Bill’s state of mind at this point in the day.
LEG 13: LOVELAND PASS, CO ->
Date / TimeLeg MilesTotal Miles
5/24/06 1:45 pm1972229
MainsAirsTimingOilNotesMPG
150 (#1-3), 140 (#4)22028Test Lube#2Deck lid closed; Fan Inlet Temp sender moved back to behind shroud19.55

Pilots Notes: Met a couple of field engineers from Chrysler testing a Dodge 1500 at Loveland Pass. They had a datalogger connected and were doing drivability testing. They said they had seen 3 other manufacturers cars up there doing the same thing.

LEG 14: STERLING, CO ->
Date / TimeLeg MilesTotal Miles
5/24/06 4:20 pm1232352
MainsAirsTimingOilNotesMPG
150 (#1-3), 140 (#4)20032Test Lube#2Deck lid closed24.24
LEG 15: DINOSAUR, CO ->
Date / TimeLeg MilesTotal Miles
5/24/06 6:30 pm1312483
MainsAirsTimingOilNotesMPG
150 (#1-3), 140 (#4)20032Test Lube#2Deck lid closed22.83
Mind if I ask where you goin’ is such a hurry?
What ‘cha got under the deck there? It’s MassIVe, Sir.
Freedom
LEG 16: AIRCOOLED ENGINEERING, UT ->
Date / TimeLeg MilesTotal Miles
5/24/06 10:30 pm1632725
MainsAirsTimingOilNotesMPG
150 (#1-3), 140 (#4)20032Test Lube#2Deck lid closed20.59

Pilots Notes: Track map shows only missed turn on entire trip to date.  Note:  there is no on-board map in car! Art Thraen treated us to great hospitality and let us use his shop for an oil change. Thanks Art!

LEG 17: WENDOVER, UT ->
Date / TimeLeg MilesTotal Miles
5/25/06 afternoon…1432868
MainsAirsTimingOilNotesMPG
150 (#1-3), 140 (#4)20032Test Lube#3Deck lid closed; EGT senders #3 and #4 swapped (logger reconfigured)20.42
LEG 18: ELKO, NV ->
Date / TimeLeg MilesTotal Miles
5/25/06 4:20 pm1252993
MainsAirsTimingOilNotesMPG
150 (#1-3), 140 (#4)20032Test Lube#3Deck lid closed; EGT senders #3 and #4 swapped (logger reconfigured)19.43