Repair heater air intake pipe for a Mk1

[rolesyboy]

anybody have any suggestions of how to repair the original type air intake pipe (4" rubber type pipe with coil of metal spring inside to support it? I have a couple and both have collapsed. Need to get the metal spring thing back in to position. I can't be the first person to do this so any help appreciated as winter (yes the nights are drawing in...) is on its way and I want a fully functioning heater this time around.
Cheers. Mark

[graham in aus]

Buy a repro one off John Kelly!

I think he sand blasts them to get the correct matt finish on the rubber!

See: viewtopic.php?f=9&t=29

[Gray]

I have been pondering this as I too need to get this sorted as I think Johns repro although very good does not have quite the right look.

[rolesyboy]

I will contemplate too. Haven't looked properly but there must be a way of doing this esp as I have 2 or 3 to play with. Keep them posts coming. Cheers

[wolseley 1000]

Hi,
must admit I´ve never tried it but have the same problem.

Could work like this:
The worst part is to keep the metal springs in position while you work.
So why don´t you look for something like a big pipe that is a bit smaller
in diameter then the springs.
Then wind the spring around the pipe with a bit o tension
and fix the springs at the end.
Doing so you can work the rubber around the spring.
After having finished this release the spring and it should tighten
against the rubberpipe.

Just an idea but as said, I´ve never tried it yet.....

[mk1]

I have done it successfully, but opt for Johns copy nowadays.

Assuming the rubber outer is still in 1 piece, it is simply a slow & boring job to reposition the spring a bit at a time. Work from one end to another & don't attempt to do more than one "loop" of wire at a time, as you go glue the "spring" in place with a blob or two of superglue, once you get into the groove its not to bad to do.

If the rubber outer is buggered you are really stuck though.