I have been suffering from the "hot feet" syndrome in my 84 Westy.  Thanks
to a recent post by Ken Wilfy, I was able to quickly drop the spare, reach
up to the valve and manually close it.  However, as soon as I moved the
little arm that opens/closes the valve (it was seized), I was greeted with
about 2 tablespoons of (rather warm) rad fluid (mental note:  let Fuzzy rest
for a few hours before fooling with the cooling).  I looked up there, and
the hose that is above the heater valve is completely clean, and there are
signs indicating that the spare tire has caught some leaking coolant in the
past.  It looks like I need a new heater valve, which is a cheap part so I'm
not too worried about it.  I am, however, curious about replacement
procedures.  What is the best way to clamp the hoses (above and below the
valve) so that when I remove it, I don't end up with a gallon of juice on
the ground.  Since I have been losing a bit of coolant (I doubt that I have
lost more than 1 quart), should I make sure that no air bubbles, etc have
been introduced into the system?  Anything else that I should look at while
I have her apart?

        - Dan

'84 Westy "Fuzzy"