The plastic tower on my 1991 Volkswagen Vanagon GL Campmobile lasted 155k miles before it failed in a hose replacement.  So, I thought that was pretty good, and considering the price difference for metal versus plastic replacement, bought another one.  mcneely

---- 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

--
David McNeely