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‘78 Westy, long heater tube source.

Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2018 4:41 am
by Jivermo
We’re trying to source the two black cardboard heater tubes that run fore and aft along the outside side rails to carry the heated air up to the front of the bus. About 45” long, they look like the tubes in the engine compartment that run from the fan to the right and left heater boxes...same black accordian type stuff. Any ideas, or replacement suggestions?

Re: ‘78 Westy, long heater tube source.

Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2018 9:24 am
by Bleyseng
Check with Ken@thebusco.com for parts like that.

Re: ‘78 Westy, long heater tube source.

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 12:57 pm
by Amskeptic
Jivermo wrote:
Fri Jan 05, 2018 4:41 am
We’re trying to source the two black cardboard heater tubes that run fore and aft along the outside side rails to carry the heated air up to the front of the bus. About 45” long, they look like the tubes in the engine compartment that run from the fan to the right and left heater boxes...same black accordian type stuff. Any ideas, or replacement suggestions?
I know of no such thing. I know only one steel pipe that goes directly to the heater tree. Tell me exactly where you are located along the vehicle. I know you are not talking about the plastic accordians at the rear.

There is a curved black accordian hose (two wall insulated) that leaves the distribution box just in line with the front jack ports at the center and goes to the center aisle heater register. There is another black accordian hose that goes to the rear register, but none of these are outboard of the frame rails . . . ?
Colin

Re: ‘78 Westy, long heater tube source.

Posted: Sun Jan 07, 2018 5:36 pm
by exoticdvm
It's the black accordion hose that comes off the center straight heater hose and goes to the rear bench seat vent. About 2-2.25" inner diameter. Long hose, about 45" long. Paper hose with aluminum frame. Looks like the same heater hose that comes off the heating fan inside the engine compartment, just much longer. What can we use? Any substitutes?

Re: ‘78 Westy, long heater tube source.

Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2018 3:33 pm
by Amskeptic
exoticdvm wrote:
Sun Jan 07, 2018 5:36 pm
It's the black accordion hose that comes off the center straight heater hose and goes to the rear bench seat vent. About 2-2.25" inner diameter. Long hose, about 45" long. Paper hose with aluminum frame. Looks like the same heater hose that comes off the heating fan inside the engine compartment, just much longer. What can we use? Any substitutes?
Go to Home Depot or Lowes or any HVAC supply hose and get *insulated flexible duct* with whatever ID works. It will be superior to the original. You will need to support it frequently with *black* wire ties, no glow green . . . :cyclopsani:
Colin

Re: ‘78 Westy, long heater tube source.

Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2018 4:04 pm
by exoticdvm
Smallest diameter at Home Depot / Lowe's seems to be 4" ID. Original VW ducts are 2.25" I.D.. Didn't seem close enough to fit the pipes -- or can they be made to work?

Re: ‘78 Westy, long heater tube source.

Posted: Fri Jan 12, 2018 8:44 am
by Bleyseng
There should be some 3" metal ducting for bath fans as that's really common-in ridgid or flex.

Re: ‘78 Westy, long heater tube source.

Posted: Sat Jan 13, 2018 1:33 pm
by Amskeptic
Bleyseng wrote:
Fri Jan 12, 2018 8:44 am
There should be some 3" metal ducting for bath fans as that's really common-in ridgid or flex.
Yeah, stick the 3" inside the 4", you can figure out reducers at the very ends, and you can seal up the 4"-to-3" with whatever works + black gorilla duct tape. Clamp the duct tape with a couple of wire ties so it does not unravel over time and undercar air flow.
Colin