I dunno Neil. I think aluminum would be fine in this application. I definitely would have a go at making a tower if I had a syncro tower to copy. I don't want to pull mine off the van to take measurements (forgot to to that when I had the engine out, doh!)

Alistair

> On Jan 6, 2014, at 9:27 PM, Neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> yes. This is what I was anticipating. Drilling holes on a SS tube
> would be tough. Especially for a novice like me!
> 
> And for sure. Wondered about using aluminum. I wonder why the likes of
> GW didn't do same?
> 
>> On 1/6/14, Alistair Bell <albell@shaw.ca> wrote:
>> 
>> The welding is not the hard part of this playtime, what would give you some
>> fun is cutting the birds mouths and corresponding holes in the tubing.
> 
> 
>> Neil, why not use aluminum to make the tower? Easier material to work with
>> and you got plenty of aluminum in the cooling system already.
>> 
>> Alistair
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>> On Jan 6, 2014, at 7:00 PM, "SDF ( Scott Daniel Foss )"
>>> <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM> wrote:
>>> 
>>> people fabricate assemblies out of stainless steel quite commonly.
>>> more welding than drilling for sure ..
>>> but many custom parts are tig welded up in stainless.
>>> 
>>> my welder fabricator guy ..
>>> making one of those would be child's play for him.
>>> 
>>>> On 1/6/2014 4:38 PM, Neil N wrote:
>>>> Interesting. Looks similar to the stamp on the heat exchange box
>>>> behind dash. Good tips. Thanks.  A manufacture and assembly date.
>>>> 
>>>> As for a stainless steel coolant distribution tower, uh no. That metal
>>>> would be a PITA for someone w/o the right tools. Metal's too hard.
>>>> Maybe use mild box steel? Easier to drill and mate the pipes to it.
>>>> 
>>>> Neil.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>> On 1/6/14, mark drillock <mdrillock@cox.net> wrote:
>>>>> 
>>>>> That date looks ok to me. The newest van is 22 years old. That rad is
>>>>> only 10 years and it may have been on the shelf for a while before it
>>>>> was ever installed.
>>>>> 
>>>>> In addition to that label with a full date there is a molded in date on
>>>>> the plastic side tank near the bleeder.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Mark
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Neil N wrote:
>>>>>> https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ZOo3U-FfYfs/UssYRGTEYJI/AAAAAAAAIuM/7kc-Jv5RzuQ/s800/rad%2520date.jpg
>>>> 
>>>> --
>>>> Neil n
>>>> 
>>>> Blog: tubaneil.blogspot.ca
>>>> 
>>>> '88 Westy http://tinyurl.com/c8rlw6p
>>>> 
>>>> '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"  http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>>>> 
>>>> Vanagon VAG *Gas* inline-VR Engine Swap Group:
>>>> 
>>>> http://tinyurl.com/d7gd5ej
> 
> 
> -- 
> Neil n
> 
> Blog: tubaneil.blogspot.ca
> 
> '88 Westy http://tinyurl.com/c8rlw6p
> 
> '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"  http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
> 
> Vanagon VAG *Gas* inline-VR Engine Swap Group:
> 
> http://tinyurl.com/d7gd5ej