I agree, and for those who asked questions early on in this thread, or who have not
seen the GoWesty kit OR the ends of the pipes, I offer this additional explanation.
The kit is NOT a replacement for the original inserts. The pieces, and each is
specific to a particular hose, fit inside the hose and are clamped in place against
the end of the metal insert.
I also agree that adding a screw or rivet through the pipe into the insert might
create a stress point, but I think the original stress point was introduced where the
ends of the pipes were flared.

Has anyone had one of the plastic pipes break or split somewhere else?

Years ago, I sat on a jury for about 4 months, in one of many lawsuits against the
manufacturers and distributors of a plastic plumbing "system", used in homes and
mobile homes. We heard from some very powerful "expert" witnesses, from both academia
and industry, regarding "stress-fracture analysis". It was all interesting and
expensive but the defendants still lost.

Jerry in AZ

----- Original Message -----
From: "David Beierl" <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 9:05 AM
Subject: Re: Coolant pipe *REPAIR* kit, was: Coolant pipe kit and distributor kit from
GoWesty

> At 11:45 AM 3/24/2009, David Clarkson wrote:
> >I removed these inserts as they seemed to allow the hoses to slip
> >off. I probably need this kit for a long term fix but until then I
> >have double clamped the hoses with the clamps in opposite directions
> >to help hold the hoses securely.
>
> I'd suggest to keep a very close eye on them.  Those pipes are not
> meant to withstand clamping pressures without the inserts, and if
> they break you won't be able to fix them with a $50 kit...
>