heater manifold

T

toms32

Well-known member
I picked up what I was told was a heater manifold but the person indicated it might be missing a part. Does some one out there has a diagram of what it looks like and how it is adapted to go into the cab Thanks Tom
 
Have a look.
 

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Auto-Lite HAS a specific "interior valve" which is available reproduced. IIRC the reproduction says "Auto-Lite" on the cover and is made "variable" and "directive" - which are a step above most of the competition.

However, you can pick up an aftermarket interior valve which is "plain jane" and will give variable control - but not so much direction. Given the small space in the front seat of a Model A, directive may not even be that much advantage. The aftermarket runs around $14 and is available from most Model A parts houses.

As far as the connector, you find what you will that will fit. I've seen spiral stainless tube which is a little pricey, but gets away from any issues with "burning" against the hot manifold cover. Also have seen water hose. Also have seen water hose that has been "overheated." Spiral stainless clamps work well for both of these, although purists may wish to keep with a "ford pattern" hose clamp.

Given yours is auto-lite, you probably want to remove the entire exterior cover in the summer. Other makes such as "Otwell" you can only remove the connector link which I always considered a disadvantage compared to the Auto-Lite.

It is surprising how many Auto-Lite finned manifolds there are in the world - one wonders where all the covers are today.

Joe K
 
I connected my manifold heater to the interior vent piece by aluminum cut from a pop can. The piece was already naturally curved. I just folded the piece over itself so it is a loose fit with no fastening needed to hold it in place. It allows the engine to move relative to the firewall with no issues.
 
I found an appropriate diameter slinky :) what’s interesting is that it gives a bit of a degree in movement for the engine vibrations.
 

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Guten Morgen.

I used a piece of fire-resistant plastic accordion-style heater pipe fitting from American aircraft (Piper, Cessna). It has the perfect diameter.

It remains on my car flexible and fire-resistant since six years.
 

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The irony of these units is my Dad used them on one of his restored cars that I remember as a kid. Texas touring in the Winter was never that harsh anyway and while they didn't seem that effective in the Winter, -they were over-effective in the Summer (-even with the flap closed). Also, we have done boatloads of full restorations over the past 30 years, and we have our first customer with a full frame-up restoration on a '31 Coupe (from N. Jersey) that has requested us installing one. His only reason for wanting a Manifold Heater was he remembered them from when he was a kid with that car. I'm like "Ok!, ...the Golden Rule applies!".
 
Here is what we used in the 60s -70s with many Otwell heaters:

I still have some from those times in use on the Coupe.

Never mind. The link gets changed by AI to totally un-related subject matter!

If you search Amazon with this string ( carburetor pre-heater hose ) you MIGHT see what I am talking about.

THAT FAILS ALSO.

Try this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/2661364591...1291&msclkid=a0dec3ca33cc1cab384faa00546ea25f

It is still available in various diameters as shown in the link.

Some are paper and aluminum. Others are aluminum which last longer.

I fit it in the ID of the Otwell heater output and connect to ID of firewall "valve door".

From inside car, open heater door and insert hose to connect with heater output.
 
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