This problem can be avoided if the copper makes no electrical connection
with the aluminum thru the body etc.  Whether that is practical is left
as an exercise for the student.

Larry A.

Jake de Villiers wrote:

> I'll repeat;
>
> "Over in SubaruVanagon Land there was a very interesting discussion on
> the
> electrical properties of various metals, the upshot of which was that
> copper
> would degrade the aluminum of the engine through electrolysis, whereas
> galvanised steel electrical conduit (1-1/4 " dia) would be fairly
> neutral.
> There was at least one owner who had replaced both of the long tubes with
> the stuff. "
>
> Copper's pulls  electrons from the water-contact parts of your engine,
> making the head seals leak sooner.
>
> You can find several learned dissertations in the Archives at the
> subaruvanagon yahoo group site.
>
> Jake
>
> On 6/29/06, don spence <dkspence@telus.net> wrote:
>
>>
>> So.. why not Copper?   Available, cheap, sorta bendable, fittings
>> available. easy to cut to length.
>>
>> Inquiring minds.....
>>
>>
>> On 28-Jun-06, at 9:01 PM, Automatic digest processor wrote:
>>
>> >
>> > Date:    Wed, 28 Jun 2006 18:29:41 -0700
>> > From:    Alistair Bell <albell@UVIC.CA>
>> > Subject: Re: Coolant pipes replacement
>> >
>> > Actually silver is a better heat conductor than gold, but suffers
>> > from oxidation problems :)
>> >
>> > I do want some silver core pots and pans, or straight silver to make
>> > caramel.
>> >
>> > But settling for copper and stainless. Which begs the question why
>> > not copper pipes running up front? Corrosion wouldn't be too bad
>> > inside and if thick walled enough the outside should last just as
>> > long as the nice old gutters on buildings (unless one runs the van
>> > through H2SO4 habitually). Of course we isolate stray electric
>> > currents with silicon or rubber tubing at each end.
>> >
>> > Alistair
>> >
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Jake
> 1984 Vanagon GL
> 1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie"
> www.crescentbeachguitar.com
>