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Old 03-11-2019, 08:53 PM   #1
bdtutton
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Default A-18478-s manifold heater

In Michigan the salt can be washed off the road by spring rains, but the cold mornings last until summer starts. I finally decided to put a heater in my 1930 Tudor and orderd a new aluminum A-18478-S MANIFOLD HEATER from Snyder's this morning. I decided to give it a try because it attaches to the stock manifold and it looks very simple. It should be here in a day or two.

So...my question is, has anyone tried one of these? Did it work well? When I look at the instructions it shows a gap between the heater and the firewall. I was wondering why you would have something like that? I know I should have asked all these questions before I ordered the part, but sometimes things just look good and you want to try them. Has anyone tried this heater?
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Old 03-12-2019, 07:20 AM   #2
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Default Re: A-18478-s manifold heater

I have installed the same heater in my roadster. The heater not only works but works very well.

The toughest part is drilling a hole in the firewall.

Yes there is a gap between the firewall and the end of the heater. I used a black flexible defroster hose that goes over the end in the firewall and the other end fits inside the heater.

As far as connecting the heater to the manifold. I did not like the rod that came with the unit and how they wanted the install. I cut and bent the rod so it hooks around the intake easier.
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Old 03-13-2019, 11:55 PM   #3
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Default Re: A-18478-s manifold heater

I installed the manifold heater tonight and the fit was not bad. I agree the rod that came with the unit to attach it to the manifold needed a little hammering and hacksawing. There must have been a heater on the car at some time in the past because there was a hole in the firewall already...and it did not align that well with the new manifold heater. I think I could do a little grinding to the heater and make it fit better sometime in the future. I made a little connecter to go between the heater and the firewall that will work for a while.
....There is one warning I would like to give everyone....the first time this thing gets hot it burns off whatever industrial fluids it touched during manufacturing. It was kind of stinky for about 2-3 minutes when it first got hot. Besides that it seems to work.
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Old 03-14-2019, 08:52 AM   #4
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Default Re: A-18478-s manifold heater

Now on a rainy day you can watch your windshield fog up.

You'll have to look for a 6v period "windshield fan."


Lotsa 12v fans. 6v not so much.

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Old 12-02-2020, 09:05 AM   #5
Dean Lemoine
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Default Re: A-18478-s manifold heater

I too am installing the A-18478-S heater. My question is: should the bracket that installs on the manifold stud go between the nut and the thick washer or between the thick washer and the manifold?
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Old 12-02-2020, 10:10 AM   #6
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I don't use the bracket that is circled. I just use the rod and hook the bottom of the rod and attach it under the intake and pull up.

I have installed 5 of these heaters and never had an issue.
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Old 12-02-2020, 02:29 PM   #7
Dean Lemoine
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Default Re: A-18478-s manifold heater

Thanks Old 31. I made a new rod that “hooks” to the manifold, it worked out really well. And bdtutton, you’re right, it smelled pretty bad for a few minutes. Thanks guys.
Merry Christmas
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Old 12-02-2020, 05:05 PM   #8
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Default Re: A-18478-s manifold heater

I have always assumed the gap at the firewall was to prevent the manifold heater cover from rattling against the firewall. I close the gap every autumn with some metallic tape, and remove the cover and tape in the spring.
I have never experienced any fogging of the windows inside due to the heater.
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Old 12-02-2020, 06:16 PM   #9
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Default Re: A-18478-s manifold heater

Make sure you don't have any exhaust manifold leaks.
Back in the day you could buy a cast iron exhaust manifold with the heater channel cast into it. It was supplied with a little tube with a flap to act as a regulator.
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Old 12-02-2020, 06:17 PM   #10
Dean Lemoine
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Default Re: A-18478-s manifold heater

I had about a 1 inch gap between the heater and the firewall valve. I put in a piece of aviation SCAT tubing. We took it for a test run and was really happy with the results.
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Old 12-02-2020, 06:51 PM   #11
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Default Re: A-18478-s manifold heater

Dean, I had to look it up. I am sure that I am not the only one that said huh, what, scat?

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catal...8aAtzREALw_wcB
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Old 12-02-2020, 08:56 PM   #12
Chuck Sea/Tac
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Default Re: A-18478-s manifold heater

I would think the reason there’s a gap between the firewall and heater is because of the flex between body and engine.
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