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Aluminium tubing for cooling system
Humbug - 7/6/05 at 11:13 AM

Having seen the price of rubber hoses, let alone silicone, I am thinking of using aluminium tubing for the main radiator hose runs (in and out). I have seen a couple of other threads on this and have looked at what's available on [/url]http://www.mailordermetals.co.uk/page7.html[/url] (someone's suggestion).

Question: I know I need 1 1/4" (as near as dammit 32mm) for my hoses, but they have 2 versions:

1 1/4” x 16g @ £2.50 a foot
1 1/4” x 5/8 @ £2.80 a foot

Which gauge should I use? (and what's the difference between 16g and 5/8 anyway? - they look like different units or measure)

NS Dev - 7/6/05 at 11:23 AM

you want the 1.25" x 16g.

that is roughly 32mm od by 1.6mm wall


the other is roughly 32mm od by 16mm bore, so very heavy wall.

Hellfire - 7/6/05 at 11:50 AM

Why not use 28mm copper pipe and Yorkshire fittings? It's easy to join together and make complex shapes (if required) and I would imagine is also quite a bit cheaper than custom made aluminium tubes. If you want the aluminium look, get them powder coated in silver before you install em.

Peteff - 7/6/05 at 12:08 PM

I've made some in 22mm for my Micra rad. The solder ring is a good fit for the internal bore of the pipe where the jubilee clip grips.

Humbug - 7/6/05 at 12:16 PM

Thanks for the replies. I was only planning to use the ali tube for the long straight runs, then use rubber fittings to connect to the engine and the rad.

Presumably 28mm is ID for the copper? Any suggestions on suppliers if I go that route?

Peteff - 7/6/05 at 12:23 PM

Plumb centre or any proper local plumbing supplier should have it in stock. Not usually from B&Q or Wickes type though. Put a straight solder ring fitting on the end and it makes the pipe a bit bigger still and gives something for the clip to grip.

DarrenW - 7/6/05 at 12:58 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Hellfire
Why not use 28mm copper pipe and Yorkshire fittings? It's easy to join together and make complex shapes (if required) and I would imagine is also quite a bit cheaper than custom made aluminium tubes. If you want the aluminium look, get them powder coated in silver before you install em.


Plastikote chrome spray will give a good look as well. About £5 a tin from B&Q, goes a long way (my cam cover looks well with it). If you are worried about adhesion try some etch primer spray first.


Is 22mm pipe big enough? I can get that easily. Copper pipe sounds like a good tip. Thanks.

ChrisGamlin - 7/6/05 at 03:20 PM

Ive not used it myself but if you go to B&Q and look in the area where they sell TV aerials, they sell ally tubing for mounting external aerials on chimneys etc, in about 2m lengths. Its plated on the outside to look slightly chromed and is around 25mm OD and approx 16 gauge so should be OK for most top/bottom rails.

[Edited on 7/6/05 by ChrisGamlin]

Humbug - 7/6/05 at 05:10 PM

28mm OD will be too loose inside my 32mm ID hose... though I suppose it would be a bit bigger with a straight coupling joint on the end.

One other thing I found that might work is vacuum cleaner pipe thingies - quite a few seem to be chunky ali tubes.

quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
28mm OD.
Plumb centre or any proper local plumbing supplier should have it in stock. Not usually from B&Q or Wickes type though. Put a straight solder ring fitting on the end and it makes the pipe a bit bigger still and gives something for the clip to grip.


[Edited on 07.06.2005 by Humbug]

Fred W B - 7/6/05 at 05:32 PM

Go to a curtaining shop - they sell ally thin wall tube that is a perfect 32 mm OD, usually used for hanging those ornate curtains that hang from rings or loops - also come in gold anodized if you want max bling factor!

Cheers

Fred WB