Thanks Frank for confirming.  So far no evidence has been given as to why
this would be a bad idea.  I am pretty annoyed by the custom radiator hose
in my Vanagon... and oh, there is so much of it!...  I had a very
satisfying breakdown-side-of-road-repair where one hose leak (heater core
loop) was actually in a standard sized hose (and for luck I was carrying
some I had bought a few days earlier from a regular auto parts shop)

I presume the main attributes of the hose are pressure rating and whether
it is suitable for the kind of exposure it'll get under the van as well as
use with coolant.  Green Stripe II blurb here:
http://www.gates.com/brochure.cfm?brochure=1275&location_id=524

Tom

On Fri, Oct 19, 2012 at 2:35 AM, Frank Condelli <RAlanen@aol.com> wrote:

>         Kevin, I "presume" your speaking of the metal coolant pipes on the
> early 1.9 vans ?  If so then yes, I use Gates Green Stripe II hose to
> replace the metal coolant pipes.  You will need 4 plastic nipples, 8 hose
> clamps (spring loaded ones are preferred), a bunch of tie wraps and about
> 24' of the hose.  Very easy to install and very durable.  I've been doing
> this here in my shop for years.  No problems ever.
>
>
> On 2012-10-18, at 11:46 AM, Automatic digest processor <
> LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> wrote:
>
> > Vanagoneers,
> >
> > Has anyone out there replaced their steel coolant pipes with suitable
> > hose?
> > Is it reliable and durable? Cheaper? Easier to install?
> >
> > I have a standing order for steel, but my vendor friends won't have
> > pipes in stock for several months, and I'm exploring alternatives.
>
>
>
> Cheers,
>
> Frank Condelli
> Almonte, Ontario, Canada
> '87 VW Westy, '00 Kawasaki 250 Sherpa, "98 Ducati 750 Monster & Lionel
> Trains (Collection for sale)
> Frank Condelli & Associates - Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the
> Ottawa Valley
> Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust Systems
> BusFusion a VW Camper camping event, Almonte, ON, June 06 ~ 09, 2013
>