Auto-Lite manifold heater

[Ramman]

Does the Auto-Lite style manifold heater just fit over the stock manifold?

[nkaminar]

The Auto-Lite brand manifold heater came with a special manifold that had a raised portion with fins. There are manifold heaters which just fit over the stock manifold. They are cast aluminum and have been around for decades. They are still available from the vendors.

If you decide to go with a manifold heater, make sure that you do not have any exhaust manifold leaks. You will need to cut a hole in the firewall if there is not one already and install a shutter to shut off the heater in the summer. Different manifold heaters had different locations for the holes in the firewall, so if you have a hole already you will have to search for the heater that fits.

[Joe K]

There is an auto-lite heater variant that does "fit" over the stock manifold.



Surprisingly, an original inside "valve" for either of these is probably more rare (less found) than the actual manifold cover or manifold assembly. But the repops are reasonable, and do work.

Joe K

[stickshift]

I remember when I was a kid, my Grandfather telling me that Model A's heated the cab with the exhaust manifold instead of using hot engine water. He said some people had died from carbon monoxide coming from manifold leaks. I'm not sure if it's true, but it seems possible.

[nkaminar]

Unless you have a really bad leak the exhaust gases won't kill you because of the natural ventilation of air leaks around the doors, windows, and floor boards, but it will make you sick and could make you sleepy and cause an accident.

[Gene F]

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Mine seems to work best when I crack the window about 1/2 inch, or maybe just a bit more. Reduces that static pressure in the compartment, and allows the heat to flow more easily. It's kind of like a Volkswagen - a little MPH makes the heat flow so much better.

[81ls1camaro]

Originally Posted by Ramman

Does the Auto-Lite style manifold heater just fit over the stock manifold?

Like others have said there are 2 styles. The autolite that fits over the "waffle" exhaust manifold. That one has two bolt holes in the top.
There is another one that clamps to the original exhaust manifold, I believe that one only has 1 bolt hole in the middle for a clamp.

[McMimmcs]

Originally Posted by stickshift

I remember when I was a kid, my Grandfather telling me that Model A's heated the cab with the exhaust manifold instead of using hot engine water. He said some people had died from carbon monoxide coming from manifold leaks. I'm not sure if it's true, but it seems possible.

Is that not why they called the Model A “ the widow maker “? Wayne

[Ramman]

I've owned and driven Corvairs since 1972. Plus held the flashlight for my Dad. Not much scares me.

[mass A man]

I can't see how in the world any exhaust gasses could enter an original manifold heater. The only entrance is at the front where the fan is constantly feeding the heater as long as the engine is running, even at a standstill. The tiny gap between the exit of the heater casting and the firewall door is supposed to have a flexible sleeve attaching the unit.

[mcgarrett]

If even a small exhaust leak exists around the gasket between the block and the exhaust manifold it will let carbon monoxide gases vent into the passenger compartment through the heater plenum chamber.

[Gold Digger]

I have run manifold heaters for the last 55 years. I have had one that was a waffle stile that had a crack in the waffles and leaked a little exhaust in the car but the car had so many air leaks that I hardly noticed it. I wouldn't run one like that anymore though.