Two years 50oookm ago I rebuilt the engine and found this site dead helpful. It's going strong!
As my 1990 townie's menopause looms on the horizon it is worth a mention to owners of more aged vehicles to monitor the condition of your steel pipes! One burst on me recently and determined to seek out further possible failures I found three hazard spots. Both are potentially exposed to corrosion through aperture in wheel arch and through vibration.
1&2. Either side of engine bay, where there is a steel junction serving the rear interior heater and 2 opp side.
3. Welded bracket of pipe to subframe after int heater but before it crosses subframe to LHside.
All other areas seem as good as new! I cut the rotten bits out in situ with a reciprocating (hack)saw and replaced with rubber tube.
When I rebuilt the engine I noticed the rusty pipes but was too stressed to bother to investigate. 'If it aint broke don't fix' is ok to a point but if whilst at 70 on the A14 I had not smelled the antifreeze and seen the rear window smearing over with coolant I would now be advertising a scrapper.

Mark
- (#11813) Mark Adams, 28 Jun 04 16:20