Run without heater and blower?

[Rob Gaskin]

Do any of you guys run your cars without a heater installed or a blower?

Whilst upgrading my wiring I have the dashboard to bits and glovebox out etc. I noticed the bottom of my heater box was a bit damp so decided to remove the whole thing to investigate - no better time.

The amount of space all this stuff (incl controls) takes up is huge and could be really useful for relocating electrical stuff.

I was thinking perhaps heated screen and route the airtube cooling to the side vents?

 

[Makesy]

I'm currently without heating. P/O bypassed the heater 'because racecar'.

I've read a few different posts about the heater matrices (matrixes?) packing in and leaking all over the footwell. I think @Seikoking ended up with some knackered carpets following a similar issue.

Due to my delicate physique (ha!), I get cold easily, so do have plans to fit a heater of some description at some point, though I won't be re-using the stock one for fear of that issue. There's a post about using an american Ford Escort matrix on another forum which I'm tempted to follow. Either that, or investigate something closer to home (corsa etc) to see what is most viable.

More to your point, what I have noticed when fitting my ECU is that routing wires behind the dash is a pain, and there isn't much space to work with.

I suppose it does depend on:

1) how much you're struggling for space, as the electrics (if remaining fairly stock) aren't that complex to warrant a big space for them
2) How much you use the blower, as without one I imagine it would get fairly stuffy on hotter day

There's also a debate about if removing the heater, whether to run a bypass hose from the back of the engine to the front (as is the case in my car) or whether to plug the rear outlet completely (supposedly the better option).

 

[Bazzateer]

Car builder solutions have a number of options for complete heater systems, air-con too.

 

[moggy240]

I don't have a heater or blower. Too heavy!!!!.
But I do have a heated windscreen.

 

[Rob Gaskin]

I don't have a heater or blower. Too heavy!!!!.
But I do have a heated windscreen.

At least 18lb without water and that's with the lighter Honda Jazz blower.

My slight leak is from the valve. Matrix fine.

 

[Seikoking]

I'm currently without heating. P/O bypassed the heater 'because racecar'.

I've read a few different posts about the heater matrices (matrixes?) packing in and leaking all over the footwell. I think @Seikoking ended up with some knackered carpets following a similar issue.

Due to my delicate physique (ha!), I get cold easily, so do have plans to fit a heater of some description at some point, though I won't be re-using the stock one for fear of that issue. There's a post about using an american Ford Escort matrix on another forum which I'm tempted to follow. Either that, or investigate something closer to home (corsa etc) to see what is most viable.

Your right @Makesy , I had to replace the carpets on the drivers footwell due to leakage. The issue was compounded by the p/o use of that Evans waterless coolant that whilst offering no rusting concerns has an oily consistency that simply would come off the carpets. I’ve since changed to standard coolant, much more straightforward.

Anyway back to the heater issues I had...it was actually a leaking pin in the heater control valve that was to blame for my leak, so we ended up removing the valve, but retained the rest of the system. Basically means I just have hot, so I close the vents up on a hot day. The cost and availability of a RHD valve (I believe they are handed) basically made my mind up for me and never been a problem for me since in terms of both watertightness and functionality.

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Your right @Makesy , I had to replace the carpets on the drivers footwell due to leakage. The issue was compounded by the p/o use of that Evans waterless coolant that whilst offering no rusting concerns has an oily consistency that simply would come off the carpets. I’ve since changed to standard coolant, much more straightforward.

Anyway back to the heater issues I had...it was actually a leaking pin in the heater control valve that was to blame for my leak, so we ended up removing the valve, but retained the rest of the system. Basically means I just have hot, so I close the vents up on a hot day. The cost and availability of a RHD valve (I believe they are handed) basically made my mind up for me and never been a problem for me since in terms of both watertightness and functionality.

I'm thinking the same for my valve job! It's just the pin seal (gland seal). Or I may just try to adapt something like this:

https://www.eurocarparts.com/search...MItKKj8_ia6QIVWODtCh24JAYzEAQYASABEgLEa_D_BwE

or use a washing machine valve (manual or electric)!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/223547165409

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Micro-Electric-DC-12V-Solenoid-Valve-Normally-Closed-Mini-Air-Valve-Replacement/383391412999?_trkparms=aid=1110006&algo=HOMESPLICE.SIM&ao=1&asc=226418&meid=19998499796f4409987f9f710e808006&pid=100005&rk=1&rkt=12&mehot=pf&sd=373014643711&itm=383391412999&pmt=1&noa=0&pg=2047675&algv=SimplAMLv5PairwiseWebWithBBEV2aDemotion&brand=Unbranded&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DC-12V-6mm-Small-Mini-Plastic-Solenoid-Valve-for-Water-Gas-Air-Normally-Closed/362948226767?_trkparms=aid=1110006&algo=HOMESPLICE.SIM&ao=1&asc=226418&meid=c412a675f90e447292b49068d0afe328&pid=100005&rk=6&rkt=12&mehot=pf&sd=383391412999&itm=362948226767&pmt=1&noa=0&pg=2047675&algv=SimplAMLv5PairwiseWebWithBBEV2aDemotion&brand=Unbranded&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

I drove to Le mans in temperatures around 30' with only perspex slider windows. I was glad of the blower then.

I just such a big unit and I don't find the controls easy to understand either - always takes me a while to sort it out.

 

[RyanT]

Did the same for a brief time on my LS 240Z but had constant issues with the windscreen fogging up.

Got a mini ‘race heater’ from T7 design, it’s tiny and perfect for what I need. Well recommended.

 

[atomman]

I ran mine for a while without the heater connected up as the core leaked , but I would of liked a heated windscreen on the cooler mornings .

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Did the same for a brief time on my LS 240Z but had constant issues with the windscreen fogging up.

Got a mini ‘race heater’ from T7 design, it’s tiny and perfect for what I need. Well recommended.

This one:

https://www.t7design.co.uk/3-5kw-lightweight-heater-12v.html

 

[tyroguru]

Really interesting thread. I can see that a nesh southern-softy boy such as myself would appreciate a bit of heat occasionally but that's a big space and weight saving which has to be good all round. I'd be interested to know how a micro/lightweight heater such as the t7design one compares with a ~50 year old heater design anyway.

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Would an aftermarket heater reduce the value of a decent car?

Although my car was modified as a 'regularity' rally car I still want to keep it looking like a classic Z as much as possible. So although the space taken-up by the heating system is useful for my electrical mods I'd like to keep the interior fairly stock because if I don't I'm limiting it's appeal to a narrow audience.

So IF I do alter things I want someone sitting in it to see it as a nice 240 and not a rally car that can't be reversed to standard.

 

[Ian]

I'm definitely keen to look into a lightweight heater system, but wouldn't want to run without one.

 

[Bazzateer]

Lots of options on Car Builder Solutions. A/C as well.

 

[RyanT]

This one:

https://www.t7design.co.uk/3-5kw-lightweight-heater-12v.html

This one:

https://www.t7design.co.uk/3-5kw-lightweight-heater-12v.html

Yes, although there’s a slightly different variant where the two bottom outlets are adjustable vents that you can just direct to where you want in the footwell (or have them closed to increase flow to the top outlets). Those two top outlets I’ve got going to the windscreen.

I’ve also given it a fresh air feed using 50mm ducting and a potentiometer to control fan speed.

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Yes, although there’s a slightly different variant where the two bottom outlets are adjustable vents that you can just direct to where you want in the footwell (or have them closed to increase flow to the top outlets). Those two top outlets I’ve got going to the windscreen.

I’ve also given it a fresh air feed using 50mm ducting and a potentiometer to control fan speed.

Thanks Ryan, this caught my eye today:

https://www.t7design.co.uk/5kw-midi-heater-with-side-outlets-4x-50mm-12v.html

water valve, 3 speed fan too.

 

[Makesy]

Thanks Ryan, this caught my eye today:

https://www.t7design.co.uk/5kw-midi-heater-with-side-outlets-4x-50mm-12v.html

water valve, 3 speed fan too.

It's only right that you guinea pig this with a full write up, Rob....


For the greater good!

Sent from my MI 8 using Tapatalk

 

[RyanT]

Thanks Ryan, this caught my eye today:

https://www.t7design.co.uk/5kw-midi-heater-with-side-outlets-4x-50mm-12v.html

water valve, 3 speed fan too.

Yeah looks good, in retrospect that’s the one I probably should have gone for as the blower is much more powerful.

I don’t know what engine you’re using, but on my LS the water needs to be constantly flowing, you can’t just block the flow to the core to turn heat on/off, so you may need some form of diverter valve that recirculates the water back to the engine (or not!)

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Ryan, I'm ok with the Datsun heater piping it can be turned off.

What I've found with my Datsuns is that cold is required more often than hot. Also I tend to run with the fan on to pressurize the cabin to prevents fumes entering.

I've even given A/C a thought after speaking to someone who builds Datsun for Kenya. They use these modern systems.

 

[Rob Gaskin]

Well I've bought a unit and will update here when it arrives. Not going A/C - trial fitted a unit that a neighbour had (he builds Ultima and similar high spec cars) but it was too big.