FJ40 Rear Heater Lines Restoration (1 Viewer)

[1979 FJ40ish]

I'm restoring a 79 FJ40 and was wondering if anyone has found a way or product that can be used to restore (patch & recolor) the rubber insulation on the copper pipes that run from the firewall to the rear heater.

I've seen a number of references to replacing them with rubber hoses but I'd like to keep the FJ as close as possible to factory original.

I've attached a picture of a section of the pipe I'm referring to. Other sections of the rubber are in much worse shape.

I'd appreciate any suggestions.

 

[B y r o n]

You might check out businesses that do home AC installs, they might have a thinner insulation for the tubing than you can find at the local hardware stores.

 

[gcrump01]

I ordered some of the smooth foam tubing from here. one piece was not long enough so there is a seem, but as long as the seam is on a straight section it is hardly noticeable. I think I ordered 5/8 & 9/16 & ended up using the 9/16, but not sure. It took some lubrication & encouragement to get the smaller size on but it fits better.

local heat/air places around here were useless.

Foam Tubes Manufacturer - Basic Foam Grips | GripWorks

 

[ginmtb]

Here is what I used just sprinkle some baby powder or similar inside to slide it on:

McMaster-Carr

I believe I got two lengths of it. Works great and looks like the old insulation. I'm assuming the diameter of your rear heater pipes are the same as my 74.

 

[ginmtb]

Here's the post on my build of what it looks like:

Won a '74 40 on a coin toss... (post #704)

I updated that post to include the McMaster-Carr part too for future reference.

 

[Helipilot]

What Ginmtb said. I ordered the same tube cover material from McMaster Carr for my '77. Will post pics of my rebuild when it is further along

 

[1979 FJ40ish]

Thanks for the information. I ordered some tubing from McMaster-Carr.

 

[1979 FJ40ish]

Here is what I ordered from McMaster-Carr:

4339T8 Weather-Resistant EPDM Foam Tube 3/4" OD, 1/2" ID, 6 Feet Long

It went on easier than I expected. I cleaned and waxed the pipe and then put powder inside the foam tubing. After that it was just a matter of encouraging onto the pipe. To keep powder out of the pipe I plugged the end with a rubber stopper and then just to be sure there wasn't any powder in the pipe I blew it out with a compressor.

Thanks ginmtb