Thank you Dennis.  I do plan to purchase a new heater core but with San
Diego county heading into the warmer months, it's not high on the priority
list.  I ended up putting in 5/8" x 3" bolts because the unthreaded portion
was a good size nearer to the head.  I used lubricant/sealant and an extra
clamp.  It made it through a day of around town driving and my husband is
going to take it to work and back tomorrow so it'll get a test at highway
speed.  I'll double-check it when he gets home and then every so often to
make sure it's not leaking.

Debra Clark
Santee, California
clark10006@cox.net
----- Original Message -----
From: "dennis lockwood" <luvoldvws@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, April 21, 2002 6:53 PM
Subject: Re: Rear Heater Core

> FYI,
>
> I plugged my hoses with some PVC pipe plugs that I
> obtained from my local home improvement store.  Note
> that the difference in plug sizes between the metric
> hose and the American plug allowed a slow leak.  So I
> built up the plug diameter with a few wraps of (what
> else?) duct tape.  This is only a temporary solution!
> My advice:  get a new heater core as soon as you can.
> This temporary solution will only last so long.
>
> If you properly replace the heater core, the repair
> will probably last longer than you will own the van.
> And the next time that rear seat passengers are
> chilly, you can cheerfully give them a blast of heat!
>
> Dennis Lockwood
> 91 Carat
> Original Owner
>
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