The 'E' Type Forum

Need stainless steel heater pipe kit for Series 2 roadster , that fits ,any recommendations ?,of good supplier, I am told they are awful to replace ,any hints ? Mine has just developed leak after 20 years .
Thanks

I'd personally suggest copper rather than stainless steel as it will be easier to bend (slightly) to fit any slight discrepancy in the pipes vs your bulkhead holes. Can't remember where I got mine but try Hutsons.

Yes, it is a very fiddly job especially on later cars with vacuum pipes as well as water pipes in the bulkhead. It's no surprise that those pipes are the first thing fitted on a bare shell. With the engine in and the dash built up, very difficult indeed. If I had a leak and no other reason to strip out the dash, wiper mechanism etc I'd be inclined to bypass the leaky pipe with a rubber hose in the engine bay as a stopgap. If you route it carefully it would not be obvious to a casual glance.

Dave Kerr sells s/s pipes - suggest you PM him 'DaveK'

David,

I have made a few sets for series 1 cars but really don't like doing them because as John says they are very awkward in st.st. The tube bender I use can only just about get the bends tight enough.

Dave

Dave K wrote:David,

I have made a few sets for series 1 cars but really don't like doing them because as John says they are very awkward in st.st. The tube bender I use can only just about get the bends tight enough.

Dave

Very fair of you to spell that out Dave - I think you're right. Plus the SS flanges can be a bitch to drill if you don't use very sharp bits and just the right speed and pressure. I was able to use your pipes on a bare tub but would hate to try and install on an assembled car where the innder radius might not be quite tight enough and the hole need relieving. It must be a swine to get that tubing even as close as it is, wheras copper or mild steel would be so much easier to work.

I think the outside hose run advised earlier is the best way to go until the tub is totally stripped for some other reason. Plus if mild steel lasts several decades of sloppy maintenance, a new mild steel replacement will last even longer if coolant is kept fresh.

Pete

Pete,

You're right, I hate making the things and only do them under extreme pressure :D
One of the problems is I use a very high quality st.st tube that has a 1mm wall thickness.

Dave

katalan wrote:Need stainless steel heater pipe kit for Series 2 roadster , that fits ,any recommendations ?,of good supplier, I am told they are awful to replace ,any hints ? Mine has just developed leak after 20 years .
Thanks

The kit I bought from SNG recently fitted perfectly, albiet for my 3.8.
Save the big firewall D washers that the rivets go through as the ones supplied are laser cut and don't look original.
Fitting them is, to put not too fine a point on it, a bastard. I got my 10 yo son to help (small hands).

I had real problems with a replacement pipe set I purchased from SC Parts. The main problem was the lower pipe which needed a much sharper bend in the pipe:

http://etype.chrisvine.com/category/reb ... s/pipeage/

A good suggestion from one of the forum members was to pass some wire through the pipes when you rivet them to the bulkhead. The wire then enables you to draw the pipe and their flanges tight against the bulkhead.

Chris : yes, I think it was me who suggested that. I would not recommend the SS pipes for that reason - the pipe often needs a further bend to get the spigots through the bulkhead, and when you've got over that problem , riveting the 3 hole plate to the pipe can be very difficult unless you get the whole thing flush with the bulkhead, and wire ( and a helper to pull it ) is the easiest solution

PS the wire through the pipe is the easiest way to locate the pipe to the bulkhead at each end as well

Many thanks for all your helpful replies , lots to think about .!! Would like to keep looks original but maybe it's too much work and hose in engine bay is the way to go .Have just plugged hose at present , no need for heater for some months !!.
Thanks again .

chrisvine wrote:I had real problems with a replacement pipe set I purchased from SC Parts.