[xj-s] Heater Pipes

["Kirbert" <palmk@mailer.gadcomm.net>]

In my book, Michael Neal mentions the idea of "shortcutting" the 
heater core replacement by cutting the pipes on both the old core 
coming out and the new core going in, and merely connecting the new 
core to the old pipes with short pieces of hose and clamps.

I am in the process of pulling heads, and must confess I am seriously 
considering making a similar mod -- and my heater core is in fine 
shape!  Those pipes come out of the firewall right behind the B bank 
tappet block, and even though the hose connected to the lower one 
makes a sharp turn, it was still rubbing on the banjo bolt on the 
back end of the tappet block and was clearly not long from bustin' 
through and leaving me stranded and steaming.

So, while I have the tappet blocks off (and will have the heads off 
shortly), here's what I am considering:  Cut those heater core pipes 
under the dash, and leave the heater core where it is and pull the 
pipes out of the firewall.  Then I'm gonna fab up some pipes out of 
1/2" copper pipe (available at any building supply store) along with 
some suitable sweat fittings, including a 90 degree elbow!  Install 
these pipes from the engine side of the firewall, leaving a hard 
copper elbow (which make really tight turns!) right at the surface of 
the firewall and a short section of pipe pointing upwards.  This 
should not only fix the rub, but it should make it a LOT easier to 
replace heater hoses in the engine compartment in the future WITHOUT 
pulling the heads, and it should also make it a lot easier to replace 
those damn banjo fitting copper washers when they start leaking.

What does everyone think?  A worthwhile mod?

 -- Kirbert      |     If anything is to be accomplished,
                 |     some rules must be broken.
                 |          - Palm's Postulate

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Follow-Ups:

• Re: [xj-s] Heater Pipes
• From: "Tony Bryant" <Tony.Bryant@psc.fp.co.nz>

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