Hi JP;

I have an '84GL that I just got down replacing one of those pipes (the
cold side).  I looked into what was available and bought the stainless
steel option from the Depot.
I rejected running a long length of rubber heater hose (I guess many
others have done this though) because I wanted better than original
durability and I don't trust rubber hose rubbing against various frame
members along a 10 foot span.  I also looked at fabricating something
myself - 1" copper pipe and vaious 30 degree fittings would have been
close but the original pipe also has some funky bends to the left and
right which I was doubtful about replicating without a good pipe bending
aparatus of some some sort.

Regarding the stainless steel option - It came in two pieces plus a 4-5"
length of hose to splice at the center.  I put it in this weekend so the
experience is fresh in my mind.
1.) The piece that ends up at the radiator end was not bent properly, the
large bend was too soon, leaving me short in the middle and very long at
the radiator end (I had to cut 3" of my radiator hose off to get it to fit
onto the pipe end).
2.) The leftwards bend was not right, instead of the pipe being somewhat
parallel to the other one (radiator end) there was about 3" distance, too
much to clamp into the frame mounted clamp.  I had to rebend it between
two handy Maple trees.  Fortunately I got it right the first time.
3.) Because of the #1 pipe being short in the middle, the #2 pipe was also
too short so instead of the pipe resting in the saddle near the engine
(with the other pipe) the hose is now resting on the saddle, I am just
hoping that the wide lip will keep it from rubbing through over time.  The
real solution would have been for the Depot guys to include a 6-8 inch
piece of hose rather than the short one.  I have to admit that it cannot
be an easy job bending these exactly to duplicate the original, but at
least with the longer patch hose I could have had a chance of getting the
engine side to land where it should have.

NOTE TO BUS DEPOT: Include longer patch hose with your otherwise pretty
nice replacement pipes.

I will have to go to my local NAPA guys and see if they sell anything I
can use in this weird diameter of sufficient length.

Best Regards
Howard Allen
S. Portland, Maine

JP <jpbeauch@GMAIL.COM>
Sent by: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
06/26/2006 08:42 AM
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JP <jpbeauch@GMAIL.COM>

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Subject
Coolant pipes replacement

Hi all,

I need to replace  my coolant pipes on my 84 westy's (not the flexible
one)
Those are the rigid ones that goes from the front to the rear of the
camper.
Any other replacement alternative beside the stainless steel pipes sold by
mr prospect? Cant they be replaced by flexible pipes? If so, what is the
inside pipe diameter and where to get those.

TIA

--
JP
84 westy