Auto-Lite manifold heater question

[Gary/IA]

What holds the Auto-Lite heater (Not the waffle type) on the manifold?

It fits nicely on the manifold but I see no way of fastening it, am I missing some part of it?

My other car has the waffle type and of course the two bolts through the top hold it securely in place but I don't see how the non-waffle type is secured.

 

[Aerocraft]

The type you have is held in place by a steel plate that goes under the nearest head nut. A hole in one end of the plate locates on the raised *** that is cast into the top of the manifold. It helps to have some "spring" in the plate to help hold the casting down on the manifold. Gar Williams

 

[Aerocraft]

I used that type of Autolight heater for a number of winters and was never satisfied with the amount of heat it generated for my Coupe. I eventually switched to two stainless hose clamps to hold it down tight enough to keep it from rattling.

At one point, I switched to the "waffle" manifold type made by Autolight and was surprised by the increase in heat. The used manifold assembly did need to be surface ground to remove the irregularities. I now use that type of heater on my two closed cars and they work great. An annual inspection for cracks in the manifold is a must. Gar Williams

 

[Terry Longest]

Anyone know the original paint scheme for the autolite heater?

 

[Aerocraft]

I have not seen any evidence of paint on those that I have and suspect that they may not have been painted except for the intake manifold which is engine green. I glass bead the parts and paint the cover and the exhaust portion high temperature cast iron gray and the intake green. Gar Williams

 

[mass A man]

Terry, I've got an old Autolite waffle heater on my mostly "original" '31 A. Someone in the past slopped on a thin coat of silver radiator paint, I examined it and chipped off an area that was peeling. It appears the casting, when new was the un-painted look of an old cast iron frying pan. No hint of any paint. Underside is lightly rusty where no silver paint was ever applied. Boy- do these work GREAT in the chilly weather!

 

[Chris Haynes]

I Had mine cadmium plated. Time will tell how it will hold up.

 

[Terry Longest]

Guys,
Thanks for the input. Mine is the type that sits over the regular exhaust manifold. It was mostly silver with the raised letters painted black when I got my Wagon . I recently repainted it with hi temp silver and on second thought decided to see if anyone knew the original color(s). I will leave it as is unless someone has the correct info. I guess silver is better than rust.