I thought I was going to get ALL of the coolant out of the pipes by opening
and draining the system.
...How many times can coolant splash me in the face long after the flow in
that pipe has seemingly stopped???   Hahahahahahahahahaha

The good news is that I got the job started and had only a couple of
set-backs.  I collected about 14L of coolant in my bucket and hopefully
spilled less than a litre onto rags and my head.  I got all the pipes and
hoses disconnected (except for the pump discharge to RH nipple connector).
The easy part is that many connections came apart easily.  In fact, some
hoses were loose on the pipe ends after removing the clamps.  The
challenges:

1.  T-Stat bolts were virtually stripped at the outset.  Bottom one had
just barely enough in it that I could get it out with the allan key.  Top
one -- I almost gave up trying to get it with the vice grips but it came
loose at last, 1/32 of a turn at a time; and there was no need for drilling.

2.  The pipes had been bound together (as though by the Dark Lord) with 14
cable-ties and a tight screw clamp! in the area concealed and constricted
above the gas tank.  At long last they came loose but not before I could
insert my arm (up to my jaw) to cut the cable-ties and maneuver the screw
clamp.  So slimy with rust-proofing and yet so scratchy.

Please advise:
The distribution manifold is authentic VW, new from two years ago.   The
Distribution Manifold to T-stat hose is also authentic and new from last
year.  I am tempted to reuse them; but it would mean re-using the
orignial '130A' hose, which is not in new looking condition.  (In the
meanwhile, I can try and find a replacement.   Now that I know how to do
it, this doesn't seem so bad.)

-Bad idea?  Just go with all new parts?

Thanks for any insights,
gab