Coolant Pipes (Rad to engine)

Can you not use copper pipes instead?

Copper can be worse than stainless for galvanic corrosion. Get ally ones made if you can. DeLoreans never suffer corrosion problems and all the pipes are Al.

You can only get galvanic corrosion if you have a complete circuit for the flow of current, the electrolyte provides the ions that provide the circuit path through the fluid part of the circuit. But if the pipe is insulated with rubber hoses either end i.e. floating then accelerated galvanic corrosion won't occur, you need a bi-metal junction - and the corrsion occurs at that junction. The corrosion properties will just be down to the base material properties in the presence of an oxidising agent, so pretty much anything would be ok as long as it's not mild steel

My x19 similar arrangement has had copper under car pipe runs for years, and std tubing soldered up with plumbing bends

Do you have an X19 too, then?
or just the arrangement of it. so what is the arrangement?

You can only get galvanic corrosion if you have a complete circuit for the flow of current,

Like, say, the coolant pipes being connected to the chassis... which is also connected to the engine...

You're right though, you've made a perfect case for the DeLorean replacment stainless header tanks being AOK because they're mounted to the fibreglass and are therefore insulated from the engine.

(I checked with my chemistry boffin friend and he also pointed out what I've already said which is that you won't get any galvanic corrosion as long as the anti-freeze is renewed thus maintaining the effectiveness of the corrosion inhibitors.)

Is this him ??

I think you'll find Dr Brown is a student of all sciences

This is the only Dr B I trust
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDzkAmwC ... r_embedded

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Like, say, the coolant pipes being connected to the chassis... which is also connected to the engine...

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eh? the pd is very small and the currents are uA, that and a convolute circuit like that isn't going to work, impedances are too high in the total fluid circuit... you need a metal to metal joint, in the presence of an electrolyte, and it occurs at that point. Your drain pipes don't corrode coz your central heating is in copper - they are all connected through the earth and the house MET

X19 - yeah 'tis track racer though, no top, aero screen, single seat, but sat idle for a few years now, pipes are good though

and a good pair of hands........

Ok Liam, i have a few of the pipes spare that you are looking for.

I'll see what is involved in knocking up a new one.

Right. Lets get them done. I'm going back to Renno to get me money back!
Give me a bell when you get a chance. Cheers Richard