In a message dated 28/06/2006 10:36:27 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

I don't  follow your reasoning on this. The engine is not supposed to be kept
'very  cool', it's designed to operate in a certain temperature range and
running  cool can ultimately result in damage just as well as running hot,
albeit  over a longer period of time.
The original materials used for these pipes  are indifferent conductors at
best. I don't believe the system was designed  to be dependant in any way on
heat transfer from the pipes themselves for  cooling. I don't have the means
to measure it at the moment (some on the  list do), but given the various
factors involved (initial temperature from  the engine/thermostat, flow rate
and ambient temperature just to name a  few) I'd bet the heat loss in that
section on the stock system is generally  negligible- and I'd further bet
that heat retention with rubber hoses is  essentially negligible as well. I
think your cooling system would have to  be otherwise seriously compromised
for the difference to ...well, make a  difference. The Vanagon is in fact the
only vehicle I've personally seen  that used anything but rubber hoses.
In fact I wonder that having metal  pipes wouldn't contribute to operating
issues during the winter in some  climates due to the very radiant properties
you  describe.

Robert, thanks, I was just about to jump in here  and say the same thing.

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy, '90 Carat, '87 Wolfsburg  (Forsale) & Lionel Trains
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa  Valley
_Frank Condelli  & Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust  Systems_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 08 ~ 11,  2006