36 Hot Air Heater Exchanger Leaking Exhaust

[billybronco1]

So I was checking out a 36 Deluxe for sale that has the hot air defrost that derives from the exhaust. Soon as the engine was started I noticed an exhaust leak and It seems to be coming from the heat exchanger box for the defrost. I read these boxes tend to rust up and also seems there is no aftermarket replacement. What do you guys do for this fix? Is there a bypass pipe or something available or do I need to do a custom fix, thanks?

[40ford]

You may check here for parts?
http://www.hotair4fords.com/

[billybronco1]

Had no luck with those phone numbers

[40ford]

I think there was a good article in the V8 Times about hot air heaters and where to obtain parts probably a while back.I don't have the USB drive but maybe someone else does that could locate it.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by billybronco1

Had no luck with those phone numbers

Try Mike Driskell for a NOS exchanger. I got one from him last year. Do NOT use a compromised exchanger as you risk pumping carbon monoxide directly in to your passenger compartment.

[Newc]

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Light Aircraft use a similar heat system and a CO1/CO2 detectors are required- Not very expensive and passive- no power required. Newc

[DavidG]

Replace it (that could be a challenge), remove it, or weld it shut.

[billybronco1]

I assume the challenge of replacing it is the problem of finding a replacement. I have not had any luck finding a replacement. As far as welding it shut its the exhaust pipe inside the heat exchanger that is leaking. I would just do away with it if there was a piece of exhaust pipe made to replace the exchanger with, haven't seen one. I imagine I could have an exhaust shop custom build something. The next challenge could be getting it off the car without destroying the rest of the exhaust

[big job]

this would be a classic case of reverse engineering. If it was put together, it can be
taken apart....

[billybronco1]

I'm not so concerned about rebuilding the heat exchanger just need to make the exhaust pipe connection from the manifold to the pipe excluding the heat exchanger

[Kube]

Originally Posted by billybronco1

I'm not so concerned about rebuilding the heat exchanger just need to make the exhaust pipe connection from the manifold to the pipe excluding the heat exchanger

Apparently I did not initially understand correctly. I thought you wanted the heater to remain in place and work.

As it appears, you don't care about the heater. In that case simply replace the front crossover and exhaust pipes. Easy enough and widely available.

[billybronco1]

Okay, that's what I figured there had to be some kind of pipe and I thought perhaps maybe all 36 Fords didn't come with this option. Any idea who has the pipes that you mention and maybe the part numbers? Would it just be a matter of taking out the heat exchanger and putting in a piece of pipe from the manifold to the exhaust pipe or is it more involved?

[Kube]

Originally Posted by billybronco1

Okay, that's what I figured there had to be some kind of pipe and I thought perhaps maybe all 36 Fords didn't come with this option. Any idea who has the pipes that you mention and maybe the part numbers? Would it just be a matter of taking out the heat exchanger and putting in a piece of pipe from the manifold to the exhaust pipe or is it more involved?

The heaters were optional.

I suppose you could have a reputable muffler shop in your area patch in a pipe.
Or, a number of places supply replacement pipes. My first choice would be Mike Driskell, a fine man that knows his stuff.
You'll need the front crossover and front exhaust pipes.

[Kurt in NJ]

When the heater was installed the original front pipe was cut, the original crossover pipe was used, if you buy and replace the frontpipe you will be back to stock

[Kube]

Originally Posted by Kurt in NJ

When the heater was installed the original front pipe was cut, the original crossover pipe was used, if you buy and replace the frontpipe you will be back to stock

I don't believe the original cross over was used "as is". In at least '39 - '41, the crossover pipe was modified (cut about two inches).

[DavidG]

Judging from the June, 1937 chassis parts catalogue, the unique hot air heater crossover pipes came into being with the 37s as there is no listing for a unique pipe for the '36s and the listing of other '36 hot air heater components appears to be pretty complete. (The bends on the '37 hot air crossover are slightly different as well as the length.) The '36 pipe running from the heat exchanger to the muffler is of course unique and varies by the manufacturer of the heat exchanger (Novi and Sunday).


Mike, I assume that the '39-'41 hot air heater crossover pipes had their own part number(s), correct?

[Kube]

Originally Posted by DavidG

Judging from the June, 1937 chassis parts catalogue, the unique hot air heater crossover pipes came into being with the 37s as there is no listing for a unique pipe for the '36s and the listing of other '36 hot air heater components appears to be pretty complete. (The bends on the '37 hot air crossover are slightly different as well as the length.) The '36 pipe running from the heat exchanger to the muffler is of course unique and varies by the manufacturer of the heat exchanger (Novi and Sunday).


Mike, I assume that the '39-'41 hot air heater crossover pipes had their own part number(s), correct?

Yes, the '39 - '41 crossover pipe had a unique number. In reality, the "heater" crossover was simply a shortened stock pipe.

Thanks for clarifying the '36 heater and pipe issue. I wasn't certain.

[Clem Clement]

Isn't there a guy making hot air heater parts?

[billybronco1]

I appreciate everyone's help but this is getting a bit more complicated than I hoped for a basic exhaust issue. I'm sure I'm not the first person that has had to deal with this issue. Can anyone just supply the parts needed and where to get them? I don't need the heater as its impossible to find, but I can't drive the car with an exhaust leak, especially when its connected to plumbing that comes into the cab. I checked with Mike Driskell's web site and found very limited 36 Ford exhaust parts, thanks

[VeryTangled]

Originally Posted by billybronco1

...I checked with Mike Driskell's web site and found very limited 36 Ford exhaust parts, thanks

I'd call him. It would be impossible to list everything he has in his stash on the website, and you'll get great advice.