A better option is to replace just the one pipe. By tge time you pay
someone to weld it, you'll be halfway there. Welding close to the head
will destroy the gasket anyway. Brazing will not last that long and if
you have a torch hot enough to do that, you can get the studs out.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Gary Goldey
Sent: Thursday, June 17, 2004 9:49 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: to all WELDERS:advice needed on exhaust

Just like celebrities die in threes (Ronald Reagan, Tony Randall, Ray
Charles) so do my vehicles. My 1984 Vanagon is one of them. A complete
exhaust is too
expensive right now, considering  that I may have to have someone else
do the
work. I just dot have time or a place and no torches anyway.
My main exhaust problem is that thumb sized hole where you connect the
pipe
to the head. I was thinking of getting some 1 1/2? inch tube from JC
Whitney
and welding it on to the flange without removing the flange from the
head. I see
broken studs happening if I try to remove them.
I know it's only a quick, less expensive  improper fix and I promise to
replace the whole system  when I have the cash.
MY QUESTION: do you think there is any real potential DAMAGE that can be
caused to the 1.9 waterboxer head? As from the heat from welding this
pipe on to
the flange without removing the flange from the head is a bit odd and
backwards
in itself and  someone out there is chuckling to themselves. Any true
life
experiences are appreciated

g.

1984  passenger Vanagon "Squeaky Fromme"
1972 VW  Baha Bug "The Beast"
1970 Parts Beetle "parts for sale"
My VW Vanagon site
http://dieselslave.tripod.com

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e