Is going with type L copper going to be overkill versus going with type M copper for coolant lines? I would rather not pay the extra $15 for type L 1.5" copper if it is overkill.
Also, if I buy 1.5" copper, the OD is 1.625". Will this fit into 1.5" coolant hose?
The only issue I'd think you'd be bit concerned about is crushing the thin stuff when clamping down the hose...but if you sweat a barbed hose fitting on there, all your questions are answered and it oughta be fine. I never was happy clamping hose to smooth tubing anyway...
It'll probably take a sweat-thread fitting and a barbed hose fitting... McMaster has it all...
I suppose barbed fittings are the way to go, but $18 each starts adding up to real money. Nobody ever said owning a bus is cheap.
Do they make barbed fitting out of steel?
I think the thicker type L would be a wiser choice. You need to take into account vibration and the constant heat cycles that the system will go through.
Per the other thread, don't overlook exhaust tubing. It is sised by OD. Should last for a ton of years with antifreeze.
You will NOT be able to get the PROPER construction coolant hose (wrapped construction per the other thread), over the 1.625 OD tubing.
I rolled beads in exhaust tubing using a modified bead roller (about $100). Not worth buying for your limited connections, but worked great for my large number of tubes when I did my conversion. Have details on my project pages below.
You can have someone run a bead of MIG welding around the steel tubing and that will act as your bead.
Jim
I could get exhaust tubing relatively cheap and there is a muffler place down the block, but if it was bent as a single piece I pretty much could never get it into place. I certainly could have it done as two pieces, but then I have more host connections to worry about.
I'm still thinking about this.