Metal Coolant Pipes - vactan?

[StuM]

Hi,

A couple of the (early) metal coolant pipes on my van have surface corrosion. I had thought that I would apply some Vactan, but having Googled, have anecdotal evidence from other forums that it isn't suitable for metal that heats above 60c.

If that is true, it is no good. Is anything else? High temp paint?

Does anyone know if the 60c figure is true?

Thanks,
Stu

[itchyfeet]

Id go for it but bear in mind they often rust inside out
When cleaning up all my pipes when the engine was out I took a wire wheel brush to the out side and a bottle wire brush to the inside when I was finished I noticed at least one pin hole in each
Changed to st st now from brickwerks

[CovKid]

Vactan not suitable for items that heat up considerably. Its acrylic based.

[itchyfeet]

Surely once the chemical reaction is done its irellevant if it burns off
Ok it is no longer protecting

[StuM]

Thanks both.

I want to drop the engine at some point for a few different reasons so will check properly then. Reluctant to agitate for now. I hear Vactan just peels, so not damaging. Might go with a high temp paint instead.

Mines early cooling so not sure all of the bits are available as replacements.

Probably a whole other conversation, but can everything be swapped early to late (including 'stat housing)?

[SILVERFOX2013]

hi i used halfords engine block enamal on my exhaust box & pipes and that was 4 months ago still looking ok i just wire brushed the worst loose rust off brush it on thay do it in silver or black gloss small tin goes a long way painting my tinware soon

[AdrianC]

Id go for it but bear in mind they often rust inside out

Not if you're using a proper mix of coolant. Anti-corrosion is one of coolant's jobs, not just "anti-freeze". And if the steel front-rear pipes are rusting inside, what about the head studs?

[itchyfeet]

^^^^^ yes agreed but most people have inherited their metal pipes from previous owners who may not have used the correct concentration of antifreeze

[Cruz]

30 years ignored under the van? Mine rusted from the outside unsurprisingly

[shepster]

Mines early cooling so not sure all of the bits are available as replacements.

Probably a whole other conversation, but can everything be swapped early to late (including 'stat housing)?

Yes.

[Cruz]

Thanks both.

I want to drop the engine at some point for a few different reasons so will check properly then. Reluctant to agitate for now. I hear Vactan just peels, so not damaging. Might go with a high temp paint instead.

Mines early cooling so not sure all of the bits are available as replacements.

Probably a whole other conversation, but can everything be swapped early to late (including 'stat housing)?

Only about 3 things are unavailable for the early system mk2 which is the most common. Thermostat housing (they pop up on ebay I have a spare for that what if moment), pipe that runs from autochoke on the carb to the metal pipe that runs across the engine, and that metal pipe.

Just fit early stainless steel front to back pipes from brickwerks.

[StuM]

Only about 3 things are unavailable for the early system mk2 which is the most common. Thermostat housing (they pop up on ebay I have a spare for that what if moment), pipe that runs from autochoke on the carb to the metal pipe that runs across the engine, and that metal pipe.

Just fit early stainless steel front to back pipes from brickwerks.

Thanks for that, good to know. Mine has plastic front to rear pipes..

[StuM]

Mines early cooling so not sure all of the bits are available as replacements.

Probably a whole other conversation, but can everything be swapped early to late (including 'stat housing)?

Yes.

Good to know, thanks

[Cruz]

Mines early cooling so not sure all of the bits are available as replacements.

Probably a whole other conversation, but can everything be swapped early to late (including 'stat housing)?

Yes.

Good to know, thanks

LOL I got the wrong end of the stick I thought you meant the long front to back pipes. if yours are plastic on an early system then they have been changed already lol

[StuM]

Sorry, should have been more explicit. I was talking about various pipes in the engine bay, including the black-painted cross junction near the distributor