Date:         Mon, 7 Aug 2006 13:58:39 -0400
Reply-To:     John Meeks <vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Meeks <vanagon@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Report: Stainless Coolant Pipes
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Well I've finally finished work on my (son's) '85GL. As promised in the
recent Coolant Pipe replacement thread, here is a report on the Bus Depot
stainless replacement pipes. I ordered these 2 piece pipes to replace the
steel (rust) pipes that run from the engine to the radiator on the Vanagon
through early 1985.

The pipes appear to be of high quality with smooth ends and nicely formed
hose clamp ridges. They came with no instructions, but if you take note of
which side your old pipes occupied then lay out the new pipes next to them
it will be obvious which goes where.

I installed these pipes with the fuel tank removed, but their two piece
design would make it easier to do the installation with the tank in place. I
would think it would be more difficult to remove the old pipes than to
install the new ones with the tank in.

When I fitted the pipes up to their new position it was evident that the
pipes were correctly bent and sized and there was no problem aligning them
with the hoses at each end.  No modifications were needed to fit them
through the hole in the cross-member as you would if using the plastic pipes
or heater hose for replacement and they snugged right into the existing fore
and aft heater hose/coolant pipe brackets. When both pipes snapped perfectly
into their slots under the engine tin I knew life was good ;)

With both back and front ends clamped into their respective engine and
radiator hoses, I was left with about a 3 1/2" space between  these 2 piece
pipes. Since BD had the  heater hose for this hookup on backorder, I sourced
the hose locally. Two 8" pieces of 1 1/4" I.D heater hose did the trick
perfectly.

I'd call this an easy and durable replacement for anyone with rusty steel
coolant pipes.

One tip: be sure the hose clamps on the engine hose to pipe connection are
positioned so the clamp screws will not rub into the heater hose.

Another tip: Tie wraps are a wonderful thing.
--
PS I took dozens of lousy unfocused pix of the installation. The one photo
that for unknown reasons did come out is  posted at:
http://www.vanagonauts.com/Stainless-Replacement-Pipes191.htm

John Meeks

Vanagon Rescue Squad
http://www.vanagonauts.com/Vanagon_Rescue_Squad74.htm

'91 Multivan
Top o' Northern Michigan
KC8ZFN