coolant pipe questions

[GTRS Fiero]

This is the coolant pipe that runs behind the passenger (right) side of the Fiero.

I have my own opinions, but I wanted another opinion.

2 questions:
1. What impact would a pipe in this condition have?
2. What would cause this?

[Raydar]

Was there supposed to be a picture?

[GTRS Fiero]

Sorry.  Picture.

[TopNotch]

Not the clearest picture, but it looks bent. Still Ok if it's not too restricted. If it is, cut out the bad section, and clamp radiator hose in it's place.

[Fierofool]

Have them install Rodney's 200-210 fan switch.  It will reduce the tendency to overheat by kicking the fan on early.  Use a 195 thermostat.  Works for my 86.

[GTRS Fiero]

My theory is that, if the tube was that bent, it would run warm in hot weather (say 100+ degrees F) through the hills and through stop-and-go traffic.

[Fierofool]

Both of mine are dented.

[GTRS Fiero]

I figure to fix mine, but I was going to either cut and weld more pipe, or "coax" it back to the correct shape.

[GTRS Fiero]

How do you think that happened?

[Raydar]

What usually happens is that some brilliant tire store "mechanic" places a floor jack under the rocker, right in front of the wheel, and "has at it".
The result is frequently a crushed/cracked rocker and a dented/bent coolant pipe.
On an 88, they're easy (relatively) to remove from the car. Once the hoses are disconnected, there are three clamps. Two under the rocker, and one on the front crossmember, right in the center. None of the suspension has to be removed. (But it is a lot easier if you remove the spare tire well.)

Once you have the pipe removed, it's fairly easy to manipulate it, and "coerce" it back into shape with a bench vise and/or a BFH.
The tube on my project coupe was crushed so badly I was afraid to keep driving it. Fortunately I found a spare to replace it.
I took the original tube and "massaged" it back into a reasonable shape. It now belongs to one of the guys in our club if he still wants it, or else it's going back into the parts barn.

If yours isn't crushed too badly, I'd just go with it.

[GTRS Fiero]

I want to fix mine.  We'll see.

[Fierofool]

I see a scrape on the pipe and what appears to be a slight deflection in the jacking point flange.  The puzzling thing is how it got bent upward as opposed to the usual crush on the exposed lower surface.  It probably had to be done while the tube was out of the car.

[f85gtron]

It's possibly not the original pipe and somebody bent/creased it at home to make it fit?

[GTRS Fiero]

I, too, think the tube had to be mashed from the top.  The thing is, I can't figure out when the tube could've been out of the car, and the tube can't be rotated.  The tube was fine when I replaced the clamps.  I drove the car some 900 miles over the summer.  It went in for inspection in October.  I drove the car 900 miles to Texas.  The tube hasn't been removed.  The coolant isn't flowing as well as it should.  It looks rather restricted.

I think it is original, but can't imagine why it wouldn't fit.  Only used on Fieros.