Thanks for the offer, but I think Napa Auto Parts in Corvallis Oregon is closer
than RI.  My next step was to see if any spring clamp pliers could work in what
would need to be a right angle to the spring clamp.  Your message confirms these
styles exist.  Vise grips work ok if you can get at the clamps but access is
VERY limited where the heater valve is.

Thanks again,
Vince.

-----Original Message-----
From: David Beierl [mailto:dbeierl@ibm.net]
Sent: Wednesday, May 24, 2000 3:50 PM
To: vince_pappalardo@HP.COM
Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM; Stuart MacMillan
Subject: Re: Front Heater Control Valve Replacement Tricks?

At 16:36 5/24/2000, Vince P. wrote:
>I am replacing the heater control valve on my 85 Vanogon.  I spent one
>hour last
>night trying to get the upper spring hose clamp off and was not
>successful.  Any
>tips or tricks on how to make this job go easier would be appreciated.  I
>searched the archives and just found more tales of whoa and no good advice on
>how to do this replacement.

I don't know anything specific about the heater control valve -- but if
you're trying to take spring clamps off without a set of spring clamp
pliers, then you're just asking for pain -- figurative and literal.

Go to Sears Roebuck, ask for automotive spring clamp pliers.  They were
about $17 ten years ago, I think.  They have two features that make them
invaluable:  first, the gripping part of each jaw is hollow (optimized for
the round-wire clamp, but holds the flat one too) and can rotate to any
desired position; second, they have a ratchet so you can squeeze them and
let go of the pliers.

Tell them to send me the commission... <g>

Seriously, nothing else will work properly with these clamps.  I'm sure
MAC, Snapon etc etc have them too.  If you come here you can use mine.

david

David Beierl - Providence, RI
  http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
'84 Westy "Dutiful Passage"
'85 GL "Poor Relation"