FYI, I bought some hose reducers from Napa. They are their p/n 900,  1
1/2" to 1 1/4" coolant hose reducer.  Seems to work well.  BTW you need
three because one of the coolant hose comming off the rad needs one too.
I used the head sealant that came with my gasket kit to seal them
together.  Motor is not in the van yet so I cant report on leaks but it
should work fine...I hope.  I also used new larger (post '85) spring clips
for these conections.

Pascal
'84 Westy

On Fri, 30 Mar 2007 09:04:49 -0300, Giasson, Pascal (DNR/MRN)
<Pascal.Giasson@GNB.CA> wrote:

>A few weeks ago I asked what people were doing when replacing the two
>coolant hoses going from the bleeder valve to the metal coolant pipes
>that run to the radiator on their 84-85 Vanagons.  The only hoses
>available are for the Vanagons with the plastic Coolant pipes and they
>are of a larger diameter where they fit on the pipes.  The suggestion I
>got back was to cut the flange off the new hoses and they would work.  I
>was wondering if anyone has used the ID Coolant hose reducers made by
>Gates
>http://www.napaonline.com/MasterPages/NOLMaster.aspx?PageId=470&LineCode
>=NBH&PartNumber=900&Description=Hose+Reducer  .  They look like they
>would work.  Any thoughts/experience with these?  Thanks
>
>
>
>Pascal
>
>'84 Westy