William

I used 5/8" heater hose for mine. The metal "T"'s going to the rear heater
can be replaced with plastic T's from flaps that are 5/8" all sides. Then
the hoses going up to the rear heater can be standard 5/8" also instead of
the special stuff. The very front two on mine looked and felt good so I left
them. The outlet on the right head has 2 different size ends, for that on my
84 I used the similiar hose from a a3 jetta/golf. It's bends are slightly
different but it worked ok for me. The length was just about right for the T
to the rear heater. My hoses appeared to be original and I did not notice
any type of covering, it's possible that your van had pipe insulation added
by a PO.

Hope this helps.
Joe

----- Original Message -----
From: "Greenamyer, William L" <William.Greenamyer@WEST.BOEING.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2001 8:32 AM
Subject: Heater hoses

> Was under the van this last weekend and notices that the heater hoses are
> very soft and appear to be thin on rubber.  Planning to replace them.
There
> seems to be a difference between the heater hoses presently on the van and
> what I expect on a car with heater hoses.  My question----is there
anything
> special about the heater hoses for the Vanagon that I should know about?
>
> The present hoses appear to have possibly had some kind of protective
outer
> covering at one time but it seems to have been worn away making a rather
> porous surface that is rather thin.  I just want to try and cover any
> unknowns (different diameter than normal heater hose or has to take more
> temperature than the normal heater hose, etc) before they become GOT-YA
> issues.
>
> William
>