Model a Heater
 

When I bought my little Roadster earlier this year, it has a 2" hole for a heater in the passenger side of the firewall. I will be looking for the manifold and heater cover here soon. I have learned so far that there are a few manufacturers. I guess my main question is: Will all of the manifolds/Covers line up with the existing hole in the firewall? is this an issue? what else do I need to know before I start spending my hard-earned money? I figure now's the time during the summer to start the search.

Re: Model a Heater
 

Do you even see yourself driving in weather where you'd use a heater. I mean it is a roadster....?

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You will very lucky to find a manifold heater to line up with your existing hole.

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I have this idea of putting a hot water heater under the seat of my roadster.
I would use a engine oil cooler as the radiator, with 12 volt computer fans blowing out cuts in the front of the seat riser.


There is more to do but thats the idea


JB

Re: Model a Heater
 

My car came with a blanket that is heated by the battery/alternator. It has a cigarette lighter plug and my car has socket for that. The socket was in the back for the passenger in the back seat.

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Depends on what your exhaust manifold looks like, most likely it had a autolite set up.

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Move to South Florida!!!

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The winters in Southern California are brutal. I think I would just fill the hole. Remember you are going to be getting heat through the firewall unless you have a firewall insulation pad (non original).

Charlie Stephens

Re: Model a Heater
 

These work great, but some units can tend to be on the noisey side

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I am guessing you have a 12 volt?

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Avoid the high maintenance models at all costs!!!

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A person can purchase an access hole cover like these.
https://www.mcmaster.com/products/ho...losure-plugs~/

The alternative is to find some same thickness cold rolled steel. It's likely 16-gauge or so. Fabricate a patch to fit closely in the hole and weld it in there. If you're not a welder then find someone who can. The caveat is that the fuel tank has to be removed to be safe.

The exhaust type heat exchangers also have a caveat. If they leak then you get carbon monoxide jn the cabin with you. A person should use an aviation type exhaust gas detector in the cabin. They make chemical types that stick on to a visible surface for easy observation.

I wouldn't want a heater in a roadster. They get warm enough without one even if it is an open car.

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I've thought the same thing could be possible. The heater in a 1947 Chevy sedan would be a good fit.

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My '31 Tudor had the manifold heater at some time because it has the tube thru the firewall for heat.

I found on line a styrofoam ball of the same diameter and used it to fill the tube to keep heat and critters out of the cabin.

Re: Model a Heater
 

If you end up not having a heater you can always get a Heater cover that came with all the manifold heaters that closed or opened off the heater and would direct the heat . . They fasten with I believe 2 screws . I have one that I would part with . I have seen many of them at some of the swap meets .

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6 volt positive ground. I go on tours year round based in Southern California. Winter time in the morning in this open car is somewhat uncomfortable. I'm trying to learn what I can before spending $$$. Thanks for all the different perspectives and information.

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"Moving to Florida": Uprooting my entire life to accommodate a two inch hole in a firewall of a 95 year old car is a bit extreme. Maybe for other reasons!!!

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Someone asked me why I have the Autolite heater in my Speedster, My reply,,,because my wife's feet get cold!

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I'll go with that!!

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@four fords: if you get a cover for that manifold heater, remove it in hot weather driving. Cover on can roast your condenser.

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I have a collecation of 12 different types of heaters. They all have differcenes as to fit up.

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Not all heater manifolds and their covers will line up with an existing hole in the firewall. I searched for a heater to line up with my Victoria firewall hole and ended up welding up the hole and cutting a new hole to line up with a good manifold heater I bought at Hershey. I was restoring the car at the time and made it easier to do than on a car not being torn apart.

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I have a heater in my 31 roadster, use it a lot on summer evening drives, and early cool mornings. Well worth the effort to get one mounted up proper.

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I like the tip to remove the cover during warm months. We'll see what happens with this!

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Back in '69 my daily driver was a '29 standard coupe with an era-appropriate hot water heater. In really cold weather here in Kansas City it just didn't cut it because the coolant system wasn't pressurized and the water from the block just never warmed up enough to heat the cab. My solution was warmer, layered clothes. I took a date for a nice, long ride through the city's boulevards and parks. We froze our asses off. My apologies, Joan.

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I’ll take one of each, thank you.

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Noise is OK. :-)

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I have used serveral of these vintage original accessory Manifold Heaters, and yes there were several different makes, and the fitting to the firewall is a concern to be aware of.

However, in-between the end of the heater and the firewall, there is a space that needs to be filled, which connects the heater to the firewall. It generally is a piece that can (if carefully selected) be used to 'adjust' for any mis-alignment, if not too far amiss.

Flexible Aluminum Ducting is what I have most often used to adjust for the mis-alignment. It will probably work on 80% of the ill-fitting heater/hole alignments.

And, oh yes, a heater on an Open Car DOES make sense - especially if that is the only car you have. For short trips in 'coolish' weather, a Racoon-Skin coat will work fine. But on longer trips in COLD weather, with a full set of Side-Curtains to enshroud your cocoon, my Otwell Health Heater worked wonders !

- Doug Vieyra, Eureka, California

Re: Model a Heater
 

Heaters that clamp onto the manifold typically have a flexible hose that connects to a door mounted in the hole on the firewall. The flexible hose avoids transmitting engine vibrations and accommodates a lot of leeway in the location of the hole in the firewall.

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Good luck finding the correct unit to fit your existing hole. I have a collection of 13 different manifolds for aftermarket heaters.