Date: 12 Jan 95 14:45
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: L.S.Griffiths@physics.salford.ac.uk
Subject: The water heater project
Here we go again,
After a long (80 miles) drive last week I decided that something
had to be done to my '64 heating system. It's got brand-new heater
boxes, with new pipes and it's all wonderfully sealed and it's CRAP!
I relish the days when I get into my FIAT and get out at work (6 mile
trip) all red-faced : )
So my friend (Danny, '67 bus) and I sat down to design the ultimate
heating system.
Firstly was the design of a water filled heater box. I am going to
buy one bare J-tube (cost about 7 quid) this weekend. Basically it's
a heater box exhaust tube - without the heater box shroud and fins.
I am going to weld a water tight tube around this J-tube as below:
J tube \ ___
/ water tight tube
out__|_____________ /
\_|__________|___
|__________|_
in
Then (change of tense) add an inlet tube at the bottom towards the
rear of tube and an outlet tube at the top towards the front of the
tube. We thought that the cold water should enter the water box as
far away from the exhaust port (of #3) as possible to minimise exhaust
tube cooling. Cooling the exhaust might result in large exhaust
pressure difference for number 3 cylinder - something to think about.
Ok so then fit a water pump (electric or fan belt driven) obtained
from a junk yard to power the water around. Then two 15mm copper house
radiator pipe the water to and from the cab. In the cab fit an
all-in-one radiator and fan unit from a, you guess it, small Italian
car. Seriously all small water cooled FIATS seem to have these nice
little water heater units in the engine bay that consist of a small
radiator and boost fan in a nice little box. Connect the copper
pipes to the in and out tubes on the FIAT radiator and mount it
somewhere under the dash board and err, maybe bingo you have a toastie
bus in winter. Well I'll let you know if it works.
Some other points to note are that you will need a header tank in the
engine bay to "let off steam" and don't forget that foam lagging round
the copper pipes. Don't worry about boiling in Summer, just drain the
water off coz you'll not need the heater in summer.
any thoughts ?
Lee
'64 Samba
L.S.Griffiths@Physics.Salford.ac.uk
http://146.87.136.48