I put a little 'bell shape' on the end of the cut off metal pipes.
little hard to do with the pipes in the van.
I start with a very small pliers or vice-grips bending out a little lip.
Ball been hammer a bit too.
finsih by filing smooth or sanding until smooth. Then paint.

yes, you could use a sealant .......but on all hose clamp type connections,
there just has to be a bump on the end of the pipe so the hose wont' slip
off.
without that bump, things are wet, and hot, and under pressure - they'll
tend to slide off.
there's getting a big overlap and using two hose clamps too - that's fairly
effective, sort of.

doesn't have to be a really big lump or bell shape on the end either.
scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "alfred bagdan" <abagdan@SHAW.CA>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2008 7:48 PM
Subject: Re: coolant pipe replacement

> Hi All,
>
> I am replacing all my coolant hoses (bought the hose kit) and need some
> advice.
> 1.  the steel pipes are corroded at the rear 18 inches but O.K. the rest
> of
> the way.  I am thinking to cut out the bad ends and splicing in hoses.  If
> I
> slide the hoses over the cut pipe now with no ridges for clamping, should
> I
> use some kind of sealant so as to not get a leak?
> 2.  Is there an easy way to access the hose connections for the front
> heater?
>
> Any advice is greatly appreciated.
>
> Alfred
> 85 Westy