Heater to firewall

[Leatherback 57]

I have a 29 leatherback with an Autolite heater. What was used between inlet and manifold to seal? View attachment 347996

 

[Dale G.]

Nothing. The space between the manifold cover and the inlet in the firewall is supposed to be there to allow fresh air to combine with the heated air.

 

[Gold Digger]

I rap duct tape around mine

 

[glenn in camino]

Nothing. The space between the manifold cover and the inlet in the firewall is supposed to be there to allow fresh air to combine with the heated air.

Good answer, Dale. Any connection that's not steel would probably rattle or burn up, or let bad air into the heat.

 

[CarlG]

The guys in our club that have manifold heaters use a short piece of this:

 

[Dick Carne]

I have used a short piece of radiator hose on mine. The rubber won't rattle, and there seems to a sufficient amount of outside air to avoid complications from engine odors, etc. Hope this will provide another perspectve.

 

[old31]

I use a piece of chevy defroster vent tube tied with a hose clamp.

 

[daren007]

Scat tube from your local airport as CarlG shows. It is such a small piece they would throw it away. Most likely cost you nothing.

 

[Jacksonlll]

On the connection from the manifold heater to the body, I used a strip of that silicone grilling sheet that you use on the BBQ. It is flexible and seems to work well. Here is a very short video of it.

https://youtu.be/aUEdiPasUIY

 

[Ed in Maine]

I always have to have the windshield open to the "notch" to prevent getting head aches on long drives! I'm sure there must be a small amount of carbon monoxide under the hood and some seal at the fire wall is a good idea. Ed

 

[Big hammer]

Heat riser tubing for more modern cars available at any auto parts store !

 

[CarlG]

This is what most of the guys here use:
It's called SCAT hose (or tubing), comes in a variety of sizes, easiest place to get it is at your local aircraft supply house, or on line at Aircraft Spruce

 

[Bill G]

On the connection from the manifold heater to the body, I used a strip of that silicone grilling sheet that you use on the BBQ. It is flexible and seems to work well. Here is a very short video of it.

https://youtu.be/aUEdiPasUIY

I have used the soda can method but it rattles a bit. Actually, it just joins in the chorus of other rattles.

I will have to try the BBQ silicone sheet method. Thanks.

 

[Herb Concord Ca]

Years ago when I had mine, I used a length of radiator hose to close the gap.

 

[jwilliams81]

As a previous poster said, I leave that gap there. There is more then enough heat to come into the cabin, and it lets fresh air mix with the heated air.