Hot Water Heater

Jim Parker Toronto

Jim Parker Toronto

Well-known member
The weather is turning cooler up here so, I would like to install a small hot water heater in my 30 Fordor. The actual plumbing from the the engine can take several different routes. Does anyone have any pictures of one that was neatly done. I don't want it to look awful under the hood. Any idea's would be appreciated..... TIA, Jim
 
You can get an idea of my setup from this picture. It's not exactly pretty, but it's probably not the ugliest element in my engine compartment.

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Here's how it looks on the inside. Snug fit: had to bend the shut off valve handle, and it's right against the choke rod. This is a unit I took out of an old junk yard truck--back in the days when you could wander in junk yards. I put the fan switch in the kick panel on my wife's side: works great.

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Steve
 
Hey Jim, looks like Steve already has the Tremec 4-speed to go along with it. Must be the way to go!
 
CarlG said:
Hey Jim, looks like Steve already has the Tremec 4-speed to go along with it. Must be the way to go!
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They are the best imho, hows yours going? Got mine up to 75 MPH checked with the GPS at 2400 RPM. What a blast!!! It cruises good at 65, 2150 rpm. Had to put the 16's on to get more rubber on the road. I was getting nervous!
 
Thanks Steve, that's what I had in mind. I have an heater core block from Princess Auto, (similar to Harbor Freight), that's 2" thick and 6x8 on the face. It comes with a built in fan, and the tubes are 5/8". I was going to fasten it under the tunnel on the gas tank. I'll keep everything up to date and get some pictures when I find the camera. (my wife used it last)
 
Chris in WNC said:
Steve, where did you get that block between the head and water outlet that the heater hose connects to?
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Jim Parker Toronto said:
Chris, that would be same as mine. Its a thermostat housing sold by Vintage Thermostats in California. It's a real neat setup and I put a full flow thermostat in it. Works great!

Here it is: http://vintageprecision.com/products/thermostat_housing/index.html
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Yep, like Jim said. It's a pricey but well made item. Tapped for both coolant outlet and temperature gauge--if you use an electric gauge.

Here's another view of the heater core fit snugness. It may not be clear from the picture, but it's resting right on the floorboard; I squeak a piece of rubber in between for a bit of vibration isolation. Hopefully, yours will be an easier fit--looking forward to the pictures.

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Fortunately, the previous owner of my car had already butchered up the firewall cutting a hole for a manifold heater, so I was spared that agony.


Steve
 
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Here are some pictures of thje home made heater we put in our '30 Sport Coupe. The core was cut down from a Ford pickup in a custom made stainless steel housing. The outlets are from an English Sports car. For the blower we used a computer fan with a 12 volt motor. The black knob under the seat controls the fan speed.The water control is from an old Chrysler product with a pull cable through the floor. The thermostat was on the car when we got it. It is adjustable from low to alcohol to high. The air comes out at 160°F when it is set to high temp. Get rid of the air leaks and you roast.
 

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Jim
Been putting 2ga wiring on all my cars for years. It really helps. F150 four speed is in the garage waiting for the car to be put to bed for the winter to put it in. Project after that is working on a set of dual hif4 SU carbs. Good luck with your heater.
Dick
 
Snyders has a complete heater hook-up kit on page A129 for $ 51.00. They also have hot water heaters both 6 and 12 volt on page A171.
I have installed 2 of these units and they work great. I am in the same weather zone as you ( Sarnia, Ontario ) and they keep my truck and cars very warm even on the coldest days.
Wayne
 
I did one in my Tudor 2 years ago & I am very satisfied with how well it works. I struggled with the heater core & fan combo until my son (computer guy of course) suggested a computer fan (pictured in the small gray box under the dash) they are only about 4" x 4" x 1" thick & run on 5 to 15 volts ($8.00 on ebay) & are whisper quite & easy to hide. I bought the heater core new on ebay for a 80-86 Ford Bronco w/o a/c (looking for smallest size to hide & wanted in & outlet on the same end) for about $12.00 & slid it into a small metal box I had made to fit. wrapped in double bubble poly wrap to keep from rattling & cut a hole in the bottom & top the same diameter as the comp. fan & mounter a high low off rocker switch near the top of my drivers side kick panel to keep it hidden. I can give you more info on fan & heater core if you are interested just email me. Ill attach a few picts. if needed
 
Sorry I did not install it under the seat. I installed it on the inside firewall passenger side and it is not in the way. Also this unit has the fan on it so I don't think it would be suitable for under the seat.
regards, Wayne
 
Wayne thanks for information I want to install under the seat cause I just got a air conditioner and it will be under the tank the one guy has a nice set up a few post but no respond
 
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