 V8 and liquid cooled guys..., Want to install a heater??? Here's mine |
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| Mike Bellis |
 Mar 23 2010, 10:32 PM
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#1
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Resident Electrician  Group: Members Posts: 8,346 Joined: 22-June 09 From: Midlothian TX Member No.: 10,496 Region Association: None 
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It gets cold here in Northern California often in the moorning. So I decided to build a liquid heater. First, I spent some time measuring the inside of the fresh air box. I figured I could fit a core 11x6 maximum. my son and I spent several hours at the local Pick and Pull junk yard. I settled on a Transmission cooler from a late model Ford Truck. Cooler measures 10x6.
 I quick placement and I realize I need to cut! The water dam for the fan must be cut down. Make sure not to cut all of it so that it will still keep some water off the motor.  The finish cut to the dam. Ready for the lid? Not yet.  |
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| Mike Bellis |
Mar 23 2010, 10:38 PM
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#2
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Resident Electrician Group: Members Posts: 8,346 Joined: 22-June 09 From: Midlothian TX Member No.: 10,496 Region Association: None
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So now the core fits on the fan base.
 The top must be shaved down too. Leave as much as possible for the rain cover. I don't park or drive in the rain but weather happens.  Now the core fits into the air box. Need to test fit in the car and seal the box.  |
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| Mike Bellis |
Mar 23 2010, 10:42 PM
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#3
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Resident Electrician Group: Members Posts: 8,346 Joined: 22-June 09 From: Midlothian TX Member No.: 10,496 Region Association: None
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In the car! Just need to plumb hoses to the rear. I picked up a Volkswagen rabbt heater valve to control the water. I will use the red handle to open it. The diverter valve will not be needed fo the stock heater, so I will juggle the heater cables around to suit.
 I added a petcock to vent out air. now to finish and try it... |
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| ldscamaross |
Mar 23 2010, 11:55 PM
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#4
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 25 Joined: 31-January 08 From: south jordan utah Member No.: 8,646 |
i was recently looking at doing something very similar to that. i was going to look for a heater core instead of a tranny cooler but very simialar idea. looks good.
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| computers4kids |
Mar 24 2010, 08:06 AM
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#5
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Love these little cars! Group: Members Posts: 2,443 Joined: 11-June 05 From: Port Townsend, WA Member No.: 4,253 Region Association: None |
Mike,
Thanks for sharing. Since I'm a DYI kind of guy, I'll make one too....thanks for the leg work. I''ll be especially interested how you tap into the water system and how that effects air in the system. I would think since it will be the highest point of the car, it might be a nice way (with the heater valve on) to bleed the system. PS Renegade and Marks914 both make these units similar to yours. Way to go, Mark |
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| Bruce Hinds |
Mar 24 2010, 09:52 AM
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#6
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V-8 madness Group: Members Posts: 734 Joined: 27-December 06 From: Port Orchard, WA Member No.: 7,391 Region Association: Pacific Northwest |
I did the same thing a few years back while we lived in Colorado. It works great. I used a Ford heater core though and the water lines exit on the passenger side of the box. I don't know if those small fittings will give you the flow you need.
It does create another high spot in the system so a bleeder is required. I used a "T" in the hoses to and from the radiator. The Ford core I used has the same size inlet and outlet, theory says that one should be greater than the other to give better draw, but this worked fine. MoPar makes an inline control valve, I had one on a Dodge truck which is where I got the idea. I hooked the Red lever on the dash to the Dodge valve. The Ford core is much thicker, so I had to make a new top for the fresh air box. If anyone's interested I can go out and snap a picture. |
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| burton73 |
Mar 24 2010, 02:12 PM
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#7
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burton73 Group: Members Posts: 3,692 Joined: 2-January 07 From: Los Angeles Member No.: 7,414 Region Association: Southern California
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Mike,
I had to replace my vent box in my V8 car as the drain holes fittings where broken. George at AA told me that some of the V8 guys where putting the heater cores in the air vent boxes. Thanks for showing me just how you did that. As I in Los Angeles I will not need heat it but is good to see how it is done. Thanks Bob |
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| 76er |
Mar 24 2010, 02:30 PM
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#8
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 26 Joined: 30-March 09 From: Campobello, South Carolina Member No.: 10,220 Region Association: South East States |
Bruce I would be interested in seeing some pics. Kq6dxn has a nice design. But I would like to take a look at a couple of different set ups and see what might work best for me. I have a 3.3 subie 6 I'm installing and I will need some heat.
Thanks, Rick |
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| JJ914GT |
Mar 24 2010, 04:02 PM
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#9
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Member Group: Members Posts: 171 Joined: 21-May 09 From: Amsterdam Member No.: 10,386 Region Association: Europe |
I was looking for a forumpost like this a while ago, so thanks for posting.
I see the 914 also uses a Behr unit. The one I've just fixed in my daily driver, Mercedes w114 coupe, is also a Behr unit. For the people that want to take this conversion a step further. It looks pretty easy to drop on a more powerfull DC motor. ( Dropped a BMW blowermotor in the Benz). Why? Because you can ;-) |
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| Dr Evil |
Mar 24 2010, 05:06 PM
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#10
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Send me your transmission! Group: Members Posts: 23,034 Joined: 21-November 03 From: Loveland, OH 45140 Member No.: 1,372 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region
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Just to add in some data, when I had an 86 Ford Bronco II I replaced the heater core in it and it was small and looked like it would fit perfect in this location. I had a similar idea for when I do a 3.0 Suby 6 some day. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
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| Dr Evil |
Mar 24 2010, 05:11 PM
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#11
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Send me your transmission! Group: Members Posts: 23,034 Joined: 21-November 03 From: Loveland, OH 45140 Member No.: 1,372 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region
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Here is a link at NAPA:
http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Detail.as...6+50028+2028008 Dimensions: Heater Core Height : 8" Heater Core Hose Size : 5/8" Heater Core Length : 6" Heater Core Width : 2" They are pretty cheap (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) |
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| Mike Bellis |
Mar 24 2010, 05:59 PM
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#12
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Resident Electrician Group: Members Posts: 8,346 Joined: 22-June 09 From: Midlothian TX Member No.: 10,496 Region Association: None
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The core I used has 3/8 NPT fittings and I'm using 1/2 inch hose barbs. Ideally this would be 5/8 hose barbs. The tranny cooler has more hot water surface area than a standard heater core, I think the 1/2 will give enough hot water. Anything is better than cold air!
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| Andyrew |
Mar 24 2010, 07:09 PM
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#13
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Spooling.... Please wait Group: Members Posts: 13,377 Joined: 20-January 03 From: Riverbank, Ca Member No.: 172 Region Association: Northern California
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thats exactly what I was going to do about 5 years ago!! Looks like it will work great!!!
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| 76er |
Mar 25 2010, 06:13 PM
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#14
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Newbie Group: Members Posts: 26 Joined: 30-March 09 From: Campobello, South Carolina Member No.: 10,220 Region Association: South East States |
QUOTE(Dr Evil @ Mar 24 2010, 07:11 PM)  Here is a link at NAPA: http://www.napaonline.com/Search/Detail.as...6+50028+2028008 Dimensions: Heater Core Height : 8" Heater Core Hose Size : 5/8" Heater Core Length : 6" Heater Core Width : 2" They are pretty cheap (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Two of my favorites Dr. E Pretty and cheap (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) |
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| Cheapsnake |
Mar 26 2010, 07:08 AM
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#15
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Member Group: Members Posts: 419 Joined: 15-November 07 From: Door County, WI Member No.: 8,341 |
Nice work. I just wish I had seen this (thought about it) a year ago before I fabbed a heater to fit in the front trunk. It's ducted out through the fenders to the cabin. It'll probably work once I get the car finished but it was an absolute fabrication/installation nightmare. This is the way to go.
Tom |
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| andys |
Mar 26 2010, 09:38 AM
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#16
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,165 Joined: 21-May 03 From: Valencia, CA Member No.: 721 Region Association: None
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Mike,
Can you be more specific on the year/application of that late Ford truck trans cooler? It looks like the best fit I've seen so far. Also, what are the fittings, O-ring, NPT, flare? As for heater cores, I scoured the parts books and really didn't find an optimal fit. It's the core thickness as I recall being the biggest issue. I never considered looking at oil coolers at the time, but that's a great idea. Thanks, Andys |
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| computers4kids |
Mar 26 2010, 09:57 AM
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#17
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Love these little cars! Group: Members Posts: 2,443 Joined: 11-June 05 From: Port Townsend, WA Member No.: 4,253 Region Association: None |
Mike,
How does this NAPA part compare to the Ford part you used. Now that you've done the fab work, would you have done it differently? How thick is that Ford core? Thanks,Mark Attached image(s) 
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| Mike Bellis |
Mar 26 2010, 04:23 PM
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#18
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Resident Electrician Group: Members Posts: 8,346 Joined: 22-June 09 From: Midlothian TX Member No.: 10,496 Region Association: None
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QUOTE(andys @ Mar 26 2010, 08:38 AM) Mike, Can you be more specific on the year/application of that late Ford truck trans cooler? It looks like the best fit I've seen so far. Also, what are the fittings, O-ring, NPT, flare? As for heater cores, I scoured the parts books and really didn't find an optimal fit. It's the core thickness as I recall being the biggest issue. I never considered looking at oil coolers at the time, but that's a great idea. Thanks, Andys The Ford was a 1990's F-150. This cooler uses 3/8 NPT fittings. I did see some that use 1/4 flair fittings. This cooler is about 1 inch thick. |
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| Mike Bellis |
Mar 26 2010, 04:35 PM
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#19
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Resident Electrician Group: Members Posts: 8,346 Joined: 22-June 09 From: Midlothian TX Member No.: 10,496 Region Association: None
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QUOTE(computers4kids @ Mar 26 2010, 08:57 AM) Mike, How does this NAPA part compare to the Ford part you used. Now that you've done the fab work, would you have done it differently? How thick is that Ford core? Thanks,Mark I think this one is too thick. You would need to remove all of the rain shield to get it to fit. The plumbing looks like it might be a problem too. The one I have is 10x6x1 and almost fits perfectly. The plumbing is easy and right between the air box and gas tank. The design of the core I have is a "cross flow" and made for maximum oil cooling. I think it will conduct heat really well. I paid $25 at the junk yard and it is is perfect condition. I had to run some carb cleaner through it to get all the tranny fluid out. I flushed it with water and it looks brand new. If you want to make a new plenum from fiberglass, a bigger core can fit but it would be much more fab work. I spent 2 hours making this and 24 hours waiting for the mastic to cure to seal the housing. I just ordered some high performance, insulated heater hose in bulk. I'm thinking of running it in the factory heater tube in the long. I'm going to install some new aluminum flex hose to insulate it further where it comes up through the floor. I think this will seal excess heat out of the cabin. |
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| strawman |
Mar 26 2010, 10:32 PM
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#20
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Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 885 Joined: 25-January 08 From: Los Osos, CA Member No.: 8,624 Region Association: Central California
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QUOTE(kg6dxn @ Mar 26 2010, 03:35 PM) I think this one is too thick. You would need to remove all of the rain shield to get it to fit. The plumbing looks like it might be a problem too. The one I have is 10x6x1 and almost fits perfectly. The plumbing is easy and right between the air box and gas tank. The design of the core I have is a "cross flow" and made for maximum oil cooling. I think it will conduct heat really well. I paid $25 at the junk yard and it is is perfect condition. I had to run some carb cleaner through it to get all the tranny fluid out. I flushed it with water and it looks brand new. If you want to make a new plenum from fiberglass, a bigger core can fit but it would be much more fab work. I spent 2 hours making this and 24 hours waiting for the mastic to cure to seal the housing. I just ordered some high performance, insulated heater hose in bulk. I'm thinking of running it in the factory heater tube in the long. I'm going to install some new aluminum flex hose to insulate it further where it comes up through the floor. I think this will seal excess heat out of the cabin. Hi Mike -- Great post! I am just now trying to figure out the heating system for my Suby conversion, so the timing is perfect. Why run the hoses through the heater tubes? Why not just tap into the "in" side of the radiator hose? Geoff |
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