79X19
True Classic
After just getting the brake and clutch systems completely rebuilt and bled with the expert help of MWB and Paul Stoltze I was finally progressing to the point of getting the x back to road worthy. Was filling up the coolant system after installing a Texas heat radiator and low and behold she sprung a leak in one of the tubes. Not just a drip but a piss out the side of the pipe leak. I've had the car sitting now for a little more than two years while working on all the systems that needed refreshing. It ran when parked and did not have any coolant leaks. This must have manifested itself while i was busy with the 100 other items I was working on. I dreaded the thought of replacing these pipes but now my hand is forced. So I dug into it yesterday and here is my progress. The hole was located on the engine side of the coolant pipes on the inside of the pipe just before the last bend in the pipe before it enters the tunnel. I've since removed the pipes completely and can identify the areas where the pipes were failing. The ends of both pipes both engine side and radiator side were corroded to the point of crumbling and the obvious hole were the main areas of damage. The sediment and corrosion build up at the turns in the pipes showed a considerable amount of build up and reduction in internal diameter. In short I was whistling through the graveyard hoping that these pipes would be sound enough after 37 years and unknown service records to be leak free.
Now comes the repair. I am not removing the tunnel. I have decided to perform the repair similarly to how "Ulix" repaired his only I will put beads on the ends of the Stainless Steel pipe runs using an EZ Beading Tool. One bead installed prior to installing the pipe and the other after installation or they wont fit in the tunnel. From there I will have the ends of the pipes bent to fit the curves needed from a local muffler shop. The ends of these pipes will also be beaded. All the materials will be stainless. I will also use the clamps that Bernice recommended, USA style liner worm drive clamps or a single T-bolt clamps, to give the system the best chance of remaining leak free.
The X coolant pipes are 35mm or 1 3/8" O.D. Does anyone have a economical recommended source for 35mm O.D. Stainless pipe in the states? Seems like we have an abundance of 1 1/4" or 1 1/2"
Now comes the repair. I am not removing the tunnel. I have decided to perform the repair similarly to how "Ulix" repaired his only I will put beads on the ends of the Stainless Steel pipe runs using an EZ Beading Tool. One bead installed prior to installing the pipe and the other after installation or they wont fit in the tunnel. From there I will have the ends of the pipes bent to fit the curves needed from a local muffler shop. The ends of these pipes will also be beaded. All the materials will be stainless. I will also use the clamps that Bernice recommended, USA style liner worm drive clamps or a single T-bolt clamps, to give the system the best chance of remaining leak free.
The X coolant pipes are 35mm or 1 3/8" O.D. Does anyone have a economical recommended source for 35mm O.D. Stainless pipe in the states? Seems like we have an abundance of 1 1/4" or 1 1/2"
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