Insulating pipes to rear heater... Need ideas.

[bikersmurf]

Done search... Came up with:

Plumbing pipe insulation - tried & it melts when it comes in contact with hot pipe.
5/8" hose - would require removing pipes again, minimal R value... Not my first choice.
H-vac - insulation, don't know anything about it.

Wondered about:
Split loom for wiring - one or even two layers, Would it melt?


Any ideas? What have people used? How's it worked out?


Thanks in advance.

 

[mydogpea]

Why do you need to insulate the pipes?

 

[FJ40Jim]

Toyota insulated them in some years. Looks like regular black open cell foam. Very surprised that pipe insulation melts, since home hot water can be 130-140*, and the cruiser heater pipe should only be 150-160*.

How about wrapping it w/ 1" wide foam weather strip. like wrapping a bike handlebar.

 

[Living in the Past]

I guess the melted insulation was something we called cork tape when I worked A/C. It was a tape you wraped around the pipe and it was sticky. Looked like tar and melted like it too. It worked great on room temperature I know the later heaters had copper lines that were insuled. The earlier years were just rubber hose. I would try someone who sell refrigeration parts. Tell them you want a product called armaflex. You can get it in the size you need. I would go with a thin walled. Probably 3/8" is about as thin as it comes. Anything thicker and the hump along the passerger's side of the transmission cover will get to big.

 

[camcruiser13]

Why do you need to insulate the pipes?

usaully to prevent burning maybe, i dont know

 

[srgould41]

How about header wrap? If that isn't enough then maybe it will cut the temp down enough to use home pipe insulation over the top of it.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Why do you need to insulate the pipes?

To keep the passengers feet from cooking.

 

[bikersmurf]

Why do you need to insulate the pipes?

1) to protect the pipes from damage. (They are soft brass and run along the side of the foot well.)
2) they reach engine coolant temperature 185-210 degrees and have been known to cause 2nd degree burns.

 

[Thornton]

x2 on the armaflex

 

[camcruiser13]

How about header wrap? If that isn't enough then maybe it will cut the temp down enough to use home pipe insulation over the top of it.

probably not the best choice as it is not too cheap.

 

[bikersmurf]

probably not the best choice as it is not too cheap.

Are you saying I'm Cheap?







How did you find out I'm cheap.

Cost is always a factor, if I don't find a better alternative I'll just break down and pull them out again and cover them with black 5/8" heater hose or similar.

 

[bikersmurf]

Called an electronics shop, they have split loom rated to 200 degrees for $2.91 for 5' or they can special order in loom rated to 300 degrees.

I'm going to look into Armaflex as it is likely closer to what was used stock.

 

[srgould41]

Aren't all Canadians cheap?


Just kidding

Are you saying I'm Cheap?







How did you find out I'm cheap.

Cost is always a factor, if I don't find a better alternative I'll just break down and pull them out again and cover them with black 5/8" heater hose or similar.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Called an electronics shop, they have split loom rated to 200 degrees for $2.91 for 5' or they can special order in loom rated to 300 degrees.

I'm going to look into Armaflex as it is likely closer to what was used stock.

In my experience split loom is a lousy insulator.

 

[mydogpea]

To keep the passengers feet from cooking.

Just insulate the passengers feet

 

[mydogpea]

1) to protect the pipes from damage. (They are soft brass and run along the side of the foot well.)
2) they reach engine coolant temperature 185-210 degrees and have been known to cause 2nd degree burns.

I see! I was think the opposite, my bad. It's just that when I think of insulation, I'm thinking in terms of keeping something warm. Sorry.

 

[camcruiser13]

Are you saying I'm Cheap?







How did you find out I'm cheap.

Cost is always a factor, if I don't find a better alternative I'll just break down and pull them out again and cover them with black 5/8" heater hose or similar.

i didnt say that, but i know im sure as hell not spending 50-100 in header wrap on the heater pipes.

but its your rig your wallet

 

[mydogpea]

I did find a product called Insul-tube 180. It's supposed to handle temps. up to 220 f. I think the brand is Rubatex. It comes in a wide range of sizes.

 

[MoCoNative]

The stock stuff was slid on over the pipe on mine, but was mostly worn away. I ended up using regular pipe insulation over them, but it is much thicker. The original brackets will not work over the thicker foam. The armaflex mentioned above sounds interesting.

To protect the fragile pipe foam, and hide it I made a custom black vinyl cover that wraps around the exposed pipes by the footwell area and velcros together. Little added protection to passengers plus dressed up the exposed pipes and foam. If you have the factory floor mats, it is not such a big deal I would assume.

 

[mydogpea]

Googled Armaflex. That's some spendy stuff!