my incomplete knowledge is this.

the plastic pipes have a larger diameter than the steel pipes.  installing
them would require enlarging the pipe holes in the van body.

the plastic pipes have a metal insert in then end where the hose camps on.
over time this insert comes out and the plastic pipe might start to crack
where the insert goes in.

if your in it for the long haul and have time to let the vehicle sit, pull
the pipes.  take them to your local hydraulic place and have them bend you
some out of stainless steel.  or you could have them make them out of
regular steel hydraulic line.

jonathan

On Tue, 20 Jul 2004, Data Services wrote:

> Hi all;
 I want to get rid of the rusty metal coolant pipes that run between my
engine and the radiator in my 83.5 Westy.  I know that in late '85 there
wsa a change to plastic pipes that woulsn't rust.  The research I have
done indicates that maybe the metal and plastic pipes are the same
configuration (bends and turns), just different material.
> Anyone have any experience with this?
>
> Dave B.
> '83.5 Tiico Westy
> '83.5 WBX Westy
>