Date:         Thu, 8 Jan 2015 09:11:53 -0600
Reply-To:     Kevin Duvernay <kduvey@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kevin Duvernay <kduvey@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Cooling/fuel/exhaust System Overhaul
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

Hey guys,

I'm preparing to tackle some semi serious (to me) surgeries on my 87 westy,
manual, all stock. I have a couple specific questions, but mostly looking
for any advise anyone's willing to give me.

I've got several new parts to install, mostly involving the cooling, fuel
delivery, and exhaust systems:


- RMW SS cooling pipes
- RMW SS coolant distribution tower
- GoWesty billet tstat housing (with new tstat)
- all new coolant hoses

- fuel tank reseal kit (from GoWesty)
- fuel level sending unit
- hard plastic fuel lines
- fuel filter
- (I've already replaced all the soft fuel lines including some nice new
billet fuel rails and a new fuel pump.)

- GoWesty SS exhaust kit

- new motor mounts (already installed a new poly transmission mount
bushing... trying to sort out some bucking I'm experienceing with on/off
throttle)


I live in Houston and there is this cool DIY garage where you can rent a
bay with a lift for ~100$ per day and it includes access to most any tools
I would need. I intend on renting a bay for 2-3 days (enough?) and knocking
all this out myself. My high level workflow plan is:

-drop gas tank
-install new SS coolant pipes
-install new cooling hoses, tstat housing, and SS distribution tower
-install new hard plastic fuel lines and fuel filter
-re-seal and re-install fuel tank
-remove old rusty exhaust
-replace motor mounts
-install new SS exhaust


Anyone see any problems with the plan? Anything I'm overlooking?

One concern I have is I don't know what all is involved in replacing all
the coolant hoses. How big of a job is it? Is it as simple as removing the
old and replacing with new or are there other major components that need to
be removed for access to any of the hoses? I do not plan to replace the
heater cores or hoses yet, that will be a project in itself for later.

Are there any other parts I should consider replacing while I'm in there?
Spare parts I should have on hand in case I damage something?

Any advise on the job or preparation would be much appreciated.

Cheers
Kevin