FJ40 Rear Heater Lines Restoration

[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

 

[dmtfab]

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

I found this thread when looking for ideas on making a donor rear heater line set look worthy of installing in my truck. Turned out that I need a few other things before that install happens, so I decided to try things out on my existing front heater lines.

Took the above advice and picked up some foam from McMaster. It looked too small initially, but it worked out perfectly. My only additional input is that twisting the foam while installing really helped slide it forward. Also if I did it again I would add ~1/2” to the measured length. Even though I laid the old foam out straight and cut the new foam to that length, after installation the bends seem to consume some of the length. I think they turned out great.

Edit: not sure why the McMaster sticker says 4”OD?! But that part number is what I ordered.

 

[pb4ugo]

I did the same thing several years ago. I think initially I cut it long and trimmed it once it was intalled.