Crossmember Heater Tube removal

[tjbayless]

How do you remove the heater tube through the crossmember 67 Beetle. They need to be removed to take care of the rust around them. It appears to have a pinch flange on both the front and rear. If I damage them in the removal process can I use Bakelite tubes as the replacement. Thanks.

[tjbayless]

After spending a little more time looking over it. I have determined that 67 crossmembers are 66 and earlier crossmember with an oval tube instead of a round tube and the only way to remove it would be to cut it off. Also the Bakelite tubes would not be an option as the contour of the crossmembers is different. I am going to see I’d I can make one good crossmember out of two rusted ones that I have.

[viiking]

Just stumbled on this post so maybe too late.

Isn't the flange on the engine side just spot welded in? I have a '68 with the oval piece, with spot welds on one side and a small tack on the inside under the seat.
_________________
1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3

[tjbayless]

No its crimped on both sides so the only way to remove it would have been to cut the tube and weld back together.

[Neilneiloragepeel]

The tubes are only swaged/crimped on one side of the crossmember, at least that's the case with my '66. They are held in with a mixture of braze and bad welding and can be removed by carefully grinding around the area indicated by the blue arrows.