-------------------------------
Hi Volks,
    The hoses on my 86 westy began blowing as I started fixing leaks, like
coolant pump, rear heater, radiator. My son Tom and I posted info at
http://208.213.2.237/VW/   about hoses from napa and making adapters a
couple of years ago. This information is for an 86 westy and  many hoses
changed during and after the 85 year. I found that about 1/2 the hoses can
be picked up directly from a flaps like napa.  For the other half it is
reasonably easy to use copper elbows, reducers, and rigid pipe and make
adapters. All it takes is time and once you make the adapters,  changing
straight hoses is all you will ever need. It is very easy if you have a
friend who is a plumber.   This method does require more hose clamps and
every clamp is a potential problem. I am very happy with the result on my 86
westy 240k miles.
Darrell

ps. Tom informed me his site is going to change again nest week, at present
it is a t1.

-----Original Message-----
From: Blue Eyes <lvlearn@MCI2000.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Saturday, January 09, 1999 5:40 PM
Subject: Re: Coolant Hose Size for Heater?

>Is there any reason not to just use a combination of two
>hose sized joined by a 1" to 5/8" plumbing department
>reducer?    This way you have your choice of how much
>restriction and weights you carry in this hose section, plus
>these standard parts would be much less expensive than a
>special VW hose.   There must be something I'm missing here.
>
>John
>