corvette8n
Well-known member
Heat in a model ‘A’ options
What options were available to heat the interior of the ‘A’, factory or aftermarket.?
What options were available to heat the interior of the ‘A’, factory or aftermarket.?
Heat in a model ‘A’ options
- Thread starter corvette8n
- Start date
nkaminar
Well-known member
Re: Heat in a model ‘A’ options
I like my heater that uses the coolant. It heats my Fordor and can be controlled for different amounts of heat. See https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/product.htm?pid=977343&cat=41624
That is a 12 volt version. I think that there are 6 volt versions or you could use a rheostat. I have a ball valve where the coolant comes off the gooseneck so that I can shut it off in the summer.
Update: My car came with all the holes drilled for the heater that uses coolant, and the heater. Bob is right that the rubber hoses can be ugly (see below). Years ago there was a photo on the barn from an owner that ran the standard rigid copper tubing that you would use in a house with some home made brackets. I thought it looked pretty cool. He had short rubber connections at the firewall to accommodate engine movement.
The heat has to get into the car somehow, so no matter which way you go, except for a lap blanket, there are going to be holes, or a hole. One option is living in Florida for the winter.
Second update: My heater is on the passenger side so it does not interfere with my driving.
I like my heater that uses the coolant. It heats my Fordor and can be controlled for different amounts of heat. See https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/product.htm?pid=977343&cat=41624
That is a 12 volt version. I think that there are 6 volt versions or you could use a rheostat. I have a ball valve where the coolant comes off the gooseneck so that I can shut it off in the summer.
Update: My car came with all the holes drilled for the heater that uses coolant, and the heater. Bob is right that the rubber hoses can be ugly (see below). Years ago there was a photo on the barn from an owner that ran the standard rigid copper tubing that you would use in a house with some home made brackets. I thought it looked pretty cool. He had short rubber connections at the firewall to accommodate engine movement.
The heat has to get into the car somehow, so no matter which way you go, except for a lap blanket, there are going to be holes, or a hole. One option is living in Florida for the winter.
Second update: My heater is on the passenger side so it does not interfere with my driving.
Last edited:
Bob Bidonde
Well-known member
Re: Heat in a model ‘A’ options
I tried electric seat covers, but their circuits were not rugged enough & they failed. I am unable to find the courage to drill a hole in the firewalls of my restored Model A's, so the direct manifold heater is out of the question. However, I have a replica of a manifold heater that ducts heat into the floor boards. The negative of the ducted heat is that it necessitates cutting a hole in the carpet for the control registers. I also have a hot water heater kit, but that requires routing ugly water lines into the body. The horse blanket concept is hard to beat!
I tried electric seat covers, but their circuits were not rugged enough & they failed. I am unable to find the courage to drill a hole in the firewalls of my restored Model A's, so the direct manifold heater is out of the question. However, I have a replica of a manifold heater that ducts heat into the floor boards. The negative of the ducted heat is that it necessitates cutting a hole in the carpet for the control registers. I also have a hot water heater kit, but that requires routing ugly water lines into the body. The horse blanket concept is hard to beat!
Re: Heat in a model ‘A’ options
There was a hot water heater in my sedan when I bought it, but I removed it. The core was mounted up high, left of the steering column, and my clutch foot kept catching on it. In addition here in California I only used the heater maybe a couple of times a year, and it was so hot that it was overpowering. The primary reason fot the heater would have been my navigator and it was on the wrong side of the passenger compartment for that.
Having said that, I’m building a touring sedan and plan to install A/C. I’m still undecided whether to go with simply A/C or with the combo A/C and heater. One of the guys in my club is finishing up his coupe with the latter so I think I’ll see how that turns out.
I’ve seen the floorboard heaters that Bob B describes. Looks like a reasonable alternative, but those kits are no longer available as far as I know. Part of me shudders to think of piping air off the manifold into the car, though.
There was a hot water heater in my sedan when I bought it, but I removed it. The core was mounted up high, left of the steering column, and my clutch foot kept catching on it. In addition here in California I only used the heater maybe a couple of times a year, and it was so hot that it was overpowering. The primary reason fot the heater would have been my navigator and it was on the wrong side of the passenger compartment for that.
Having said that, I’m building a touring sedan and plan to install A/C. I’m still undecided whether to go with simply A/C or with the combo A/C and heater. One of the guys in my club is finishing up his coupe with the latter so I think I’ll see how that turns out.
I’ve seen the floorboard heaters that Bob B describes. Looks like a reasonable alternative, but those kits are no longer available as far as I know. Part of me shudders to think of piping air off the manifold into the car, though.
mass A man
Well-known member
Re: Heat in a model ‘A’ options
I am fortunate to have an original Autolite manifold heater in the old pickup. It sure comes into great use for those early Spring and late Fall car meets. I don't see how the aluminum wire-on manifold covers that are sold new today can work as well though. I remove the two hex screws and store the cast iron manifold COVER for the summertime.
I am fortunate to have an original Autolite manifold heater in the old pickup. It sure comes into great use for those early Spring and late Fall car meets. I don't see how the aluminum wire-on manifold covers that are sold new today can work as well though. I remove the two hex screws and store the cast iron manifold COVER for the summertime.
Synchro909
Well-known member
Re: Heat in a model ‘A’ options
I get PLENTY of heat coming up through the gaps around he pedals. The exhaust runs right under me and between the clutch and brake pedals.
Not so good in summer though.
I get PLENTY of heat coming up through the gaps around he pedals. The exhaust runs right under me and between the clutch and brake pedals.
Not so good in summer though.
Gene F
Well-known member
Re: Heat in a model ‘A’ options
I have the same. I noticed that it works best if I crack the window just a little bit `1/2".
I have the same. I noticed that it works best if I crack the window just a little bit `1/2".
Model A Canuck
Senior Member
Re: Heat in a model ‘A’ options
Try a snowmobile suit
Try a snowmobile suit
Y-Blockhead
Well-known member
Re: Heat in a model ‘A’ options
Warm bodies...
Warm bodies...
Re: Heat in a model ‘A’ options
A friend of mine has one of these and he says it works quite well. Seems like they would be ideal for a practical way to stay warm in your Model A without having to butcher up your car...
https://www.amazon.com/KTSSL-Battery-Windproof-Jackets-Heating/dp/B0DDPT8MS5/?tag=atomicindus08-20
A friend of mine has one of these and he says it works quite well. Seems like they would be ideal for a practical way to stay warm in your Model A without having to butcher up your car...
https://www.amazon.com/KTSSL-Battery-Windproof-Jackets-Heating/dp/B0DDPT8MS5/?tag=atomicindus08-20
Synchro909
Well-known member
Re: Heat in a model ‘A’ options
They are excellent. Another justification to convert the car to 12 volts?
They are excellent. Another justification to convert the car to 12 volts?
Re: Heat in a model ‘A’ options
I have heated jacket and heated pants, and a two-circuit controller, left over from my motorcycle touring days. Beware, they do take a fair bit of 12V juice. You can get battery packs for many of them.
Phil Brown
Well-known member
Re: Heat in a model ‘A’ options
If your 12 volt just get a set of seat heaters from a modern car and have them installed in your seats.
No firewall holes needed
If your 12 volt just get a set of seat heaters from a modern car and have them installed in your seats.
No firewall holes needed
Gold Digger
Well-known member
Re: Heat in a model ‘A’ options
My uncle has a portable kerosene heater standing in the back floor board and tied with baling wire from one window crank to the other. Probably wasn't very safe but it would make you roll down the windows in dead of winter.
My uncle has a portable kerosene heater standing in the back floor board and tied with baling wire from one window crank to the other. Probably wasn't very safe but it would make you roll down the windows in dead of winter.
katy
Well-known member
Re: Heat in a model ‘A’ options
"Back when", there was a gasoline heater called South Wind
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/southwind-heater-how-do-they-work.179084/
"Back when", there was a gasoline heater called South Wind
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/southwind-heater-how-do-they-work.179084/
1930artdeco
Well-known member
Re: Heat in a model ‘A’ options
Insulate, insulate, insulate! Then add a manifold heater and you will wear shorts in the winter. Not kidding. I have a sedan and when that manifold heater gets hot so do you.
Insulate, insulate, insulate! Then add a manifold heater and you will wear shorts in the winter. Not kidding. I have a sedan and when that manifold heater gets hot so do you.
Model A Canuck
Senior Member
Re: Heat in a model ‘A’ options
If you want A/C just roll down the windows and open the front window up
If you want A/C just roll down the windows and open the front window up
Re: Heat in a model ‘A’ options
When I bought my 29 std coupe in 1959 it had a great little coolant heater mounted on the firewall by the passenger's feet which made it a little cramped there, but it sure poured out the heat! This was in SoCal too. I eventually took it out but still have it. Now that I live in WA and am older and colder, I have been thinking about reinstalling it! The holes for the hoses are still in the firewall so it would be easy to do.
When I bought my 29 std coupe in 1959 it had a great little coolant heater mounted on the firewall by the passenger's feet which made it a little cramped there, but it sure poured out the heat! This was in SoCal too. I eventually took it out but still have it. Now that I live in WA and am older and colder, I have been thinking about reinstalling it! The holes for the hoses are still in the firewall so it would be easy to do.
