I had my '87 Westy gas tank out to repair the broken vent t-fitting on the
driver's side.  I took some pics and they're posted here;

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7984329@N08/

I epoxied the outside of the plastic t-fitting, reinforced it inside with a
piece of aluminum tubing.  Then I replaced the split overflow tank vent
check valve seals (thanks, Frank!) and put it all back together.
I discovered that you can pre-position the crossover tube first, slipping
into the 'ceiling' sheetmetal clip.  Then when the tank's in, you can reach
into the wheelwells to pop the plastic t-fittings into the seals.

I did make a very cheap plastic replacement crossover tube assy with
plumbing parts from Home Depot.  I didn't install it for now, just to see
how my repair holds up.  The last one I did like this, worked well for many
years (I sold that van recently).

Mike B.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Chris S" <szpejankowski@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2008 8:15 AM
Subject: Re: Fuel Tank Crossover Vapor Assembly

> Just make sure your hose goes OVER the coolant pipes.  This normally means
> you put the tank where it's nearly in place and push the hose ends over
> the
> white plastic fittings.
>
> One reason for a new assembly is crumbling plastic ends and shrinking
> o-rings.  Oh, and that flammable gas thing.. yeah.
>
> Chris.
>
> On Wed, May 7, 2008 at 7:02 PM, Old Volks Home <oldvolkshome@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
>> To the Vanagon Community At Large:
>>
>> Is there any "hard" reason for the Fuel Tank Vapor Crossover Assembly to
>> have a rigid, fuel vapor-resistant plastic tube between the two nylon
>> pieces
>> that insert the tank?  Can a more flexible piece of tube (or maybe even
>> hose) be substituted in it's place?
>>
>> Reason for the inquiry - Looking to to repro this piece to offer at a
>> much
>> affordable price than the obscene $48 currently charged.  Don't want to
>> cut
>> corners, but if there's a better way, I'm all ears.
>>
>> Comments, suggestions and poison pen letter cheerfully accepted ;-)
>> --
>> Jim Thompson
>> 84 GL 1.9 "Gloria"
>> 84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
>> 73 K Ghia Coupe "Denise"
>> 72 411 Station Wagon "Pug"
>> oldvolkshome@gmail.com
>> http://www.oldvolkshome.com
>> ***********************************
>>