Date:         Tue, 5 Jun 2012 15:23:12 -0500
Reply-To:     JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Cool Tools for Vanagons
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

TOOL ASSESSMENT:

I've been having coolant/heater issues lately - need to replace the rear
heater valve in 'ol Blue and an inside front heater cutoff valve under
the dash of ol' Red. I can't turn off the heat on ol' Red and I was
fretting over how to best pinch off the hoses to prevent leaking while
the valves were installed. I needed to shut off the coolant to ol' Reds
front heater until I could get to the job, because in this summer heat
in Alabam it was cooking my feet, even with the AC running full bore.
In ol' Blue every time I started the engine the coolant just poured out
of the rear valve.

I went to HF and was just poking around, when in the brake service
section I spotted the perfect tool(s). It was a set of four clamps made
for the job. They are comprised of an "L" shaped bolt with the tip
turned up, just like on the capital "L" here, ?The long side was
threaded and a threaded knob mounted on it. There was a nice piece of
stamped steel (to give rigidity) that connected across from the tip to
the bolt. These clamps were absolutely perfect to do the job of clamping
off the the hoses. No hassling to find two pair of vice grips and a
couple of strips of wood to serve as a clamp. No plastic scissors type
clamps that don't clamp evenly. Just slip these in place, tightened the
handle, and voila - no coolant flow.

After my experience with them, I would recommend them as regular tools
to be taken on any trip. As many hoses as the Vanagon has, you never
know when you might need one of these. The set of four was $10.

There are four clamps in the set, and they are different sizes. AT $10
it might be worthwhile to get and keep two sets, so you have a pair of
each size. These are not big and bulky, and take little room in the tool
box.

Regards,

John Rodgers