Re: Godess of speed installtion on 37 115c?

Posted by HH56 On 2017/12/10 11:41:10

Packard used mostly steel tubing but I don't know if they used steel or copper on that one. Perhaps someone with an original can say -- and also the color of the original tube.

Copper is probably the most expensive option and if you wanted to duplicate the factory item per the illustration you would need to get coiled copper tubing that could be bent rather than the straight lengths sold for plumbing use at the home centers. That is hard copper tubing and does not bend. If you just want a straight length with hoses on each end then the hard copper might work well. I don't know if you can buy the coiled bendable tubing in that size by the foot or if it sells only by the coil at retail.

McMaster-Carr has straight bendable 3' lengths of 5/8 OD steel and stainless steel tubing rated for water flow but only 10' coils of the bendable copper.

One possible option MIGHT be 1/2" electrical conduit. That is easily and inexpensively found and generally of a bendable steel composition. OD is just over 5/8. You could paint the outside black or even use a clear or gray colored enamel if you wanted a more steel tubing like look. The concern with conduit would be internal corrosion but if you are running coolant with a corrosion inhibitor it might not be a big issue. Someone more versed in that aspect would have to provide a definitive answer.

It is hard to see on the factory photo if there are any grommets in the supports. I think I would use a rubber grommet to insulate the tubing from the steel uprights no matter which tubing was used. The support detail might be another thing the owner of an original could verify or photograph.