Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Model A (1928-31)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-21-2020, 07:19 PM   #1
1crosscut
Senior Member
 
1crosscut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 1,905
Default Heater door placement in firewall for Otwell heater

So I have an Otwell heater that I would like to install on my 29 AA. I put it on my truck today to see how it would line up with the firewall and it would require the hole to be cut on an area of the firewall that is an outside corner.
The same thing is true if I were to use a cover that fits over the standard manifold.
I cut a partial piece of aluminum flat stock to better show where it would require the hole to be cut if coming directly out of the heater outlet.
Is there a special heater door for this? To cut the hole in a flat area of the firewall would require a flexible tube and it would be hard pressed to make the bend necessary to connect it to the heater door.
Suggestions?
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 1.jpg (58.5 KB, 88 views)
File Type: jpg 2.jpg (66.7 KB, 85 views)
File Type: jpg 3.jpg (63.9 KB, 89 views)
File Type: jpg 4.jpg (41.6 KB, 74 views)
File Type: jpg 5.jpg (69.4 KB, 76 views)
__________________
Dave / Lincoln Nebraska
1crosscut is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-21-2020, 07:44 PM   #2
1930artdeco
Senior Member
 
1930artdeco's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lynden, Wa
Posts: 3,548
Default Re: Heater door placement in firewall for Otwell heater

There is an aftermarket heater door available that should work for you that the vendors sell. I would try for an original though, they pop up here and on ebay every so often. I believe the heater door has a piece that goes from the cab and is inserted into the heater manifold so there is no gap.


Mike
__________________
1930 TownSedan (Briggs)
1957 Country Sedan
1930artdeco is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 03-21-2020, 11:09 PM   #3
taffrail
Senior Member
 
taffrail's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Hingham, MA
Posts: 135
Default Re: Heater door placement in firewall for Otwell heater

The original Otwell fits the fire wall profile a lot better. They come up on E-bay once in a while, worth the wait. The rolled up aluminum flat stock works well between the door and the manifold.
taffrail is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2020, 07:25 AM   #4
1crosscut
Senior Member
 
1crosscut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 1,905
Default Re: Heater door placement in firewall for Otwell heater

The door that I have and the ones I see in the vendor catalogs are flat and wouldn't work well.
Anyone have pictures of an Otwell door and or pictures of one installed?
__________________
Dave / Lincoln Nebraska
1crosscut is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2020, 07:40 AM   #5
Big hammer
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Land of Lincoln
Posts: 3,114
Default Re: Heater door placement in firewall for Otwell heater

My Otwell heater's door fit's in the corner of the firewall. I would keep looking for a original door before you cut a hole in the firewall. The connection between the wall and door, I use a piece of heat riser tubing from a modern car that's available at auto parts store's.
__________________
Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap
get a bigger hammer tap done
Big hammer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2020, 08:19 AM   #6
jwmckenzie
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 212
Default Re: Heater door placement in firewall for Otwell heater

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
I have one, just can't seem put my hands on it this morning. When I come across it, will post a pic. It's an Alum (I think) casting with a Sheetmetal door. of course it has the compound bend shapes to fit into the firewall.
jwmckenzie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2020, 08:26 AM   #7
ericr
Senior Member
 
ericr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,542
Default Re: Heater door placement in firewall for Otwell heater

PM sent, if I did it correctly
ericr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2020, 09:56 AM   #8
jwmckenzie
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 212
Default Re: Heater door placement in firewall for Otwell heater

Here are some pics. Hope this helps



jwmckenzie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2020, 10:14 AM   #9
1crosscut
Senior Member
 
1crosscut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 1,905
Default Re: Heater door placement in firewall for Otwell heater

ericr I got your p.m. and sent you a reply.
__________________
Dave / Lincoln Nebraska
1crosscut is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2020, 10:16 AM   #10
1crosscut
Senior Member
 
1crosscut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 1,905
Default Re: Heater door placement in firewall for Otwell heater

Thank you for the pictures JW. That is very different from what I have and what I am seeing in the vendor catalogs.

If anyone has one that they would be willing to sell I would be interested.
__________________
Dave / Lincoln Nebraska
1crosscut is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2020, 11:27 AM   #11
jwmckenzie
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 212
Default Re: Heater door placement in firewall for Otwell heater

So... Just to be clear, I was told this is for an Otwell. I have never installed it and checked for fitment. Looks like it is the one when I hold it up to a firewall. I have the heater, just bought this door for a future project. I hope someone can verify that it is actually has one.
jwmckenzie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2020, 11:33 AM   #12
jwmckenzie
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 212
Default Re: Heater door placement in firewall for Otwell heater

Oh wow, just found this. Looks like I am wrong about the heater door.

Here is the original patent application:

https://dwhinkl.files.wordpress.com/...wellheater.pdf

and some photos of installed heater.

https://dwhinkl.wordpress.com/otwell...heater-photos/
jwmckenzie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2020, 12:18 PM   #13
Dan Partain
Senior Member
 
Dan Partain's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Hangtown, CA
Posts: 556
Default Re: Heater door placement in firewall for Otwell heater

I have a door for sale in the swap section. I don't know what heater it fits, but you can take a look here -
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=277133
Dan Partain is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2020, 01:21 PM   #14
1crosscut
Senior Member
 
1crosscut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 1,905
Default Re: Heater door placement in firewall for Otwell heater

Dan I don't think that the one you have on the swap section is an Otwell it sure looks like it would fit well.
I'm curious as to what others think.
__________________
Dave / Lincoln Nebraska
1crosscut is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-22-2020, 03:52 PM   #15
Big hammer
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Land of Lincoln
Posts: 3,114
Default Re: Heater door placement in firewall for Otwell heater

Dans looks like mine except it's missing the deflector and the spring is on the back. JW's look just like mine. My car is a late 31 Tudor.

JW's post # 12 is like mine, my heater is a flat top heater.
__________________
Don't force it with a little hammer tap, tap, tap
get a bigger hammer tap done

Last edited by Big hammer; 03-22-2020 at 03:57 PM. Reason: Addition
Big hammer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-31-2020, 08:16 PM   #16
1crosscut
Senior Member
 
1crosscut's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Posts: 1,905
Default Re: Heater door placement in firewall for Otwell heater

Wanted to give an update. I bought the heater door from Dan and got it installed last Saturday. Worked out very well.
Thanks all.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Heater.jpg (68.4 KB, 46 views)
__________________
Dave / Lincoln Nebraska
1crosscut is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:04 AM.