TheSamba.com :: View topic - Preinstalling Heater Boxes on a 1969 1600cc Westy RESOLVED!

Fri Nov 06, 2009 8:58 am

I am wondering if I can "preinstall" my heater boxes on my 1969 westy. I have a 1600 dual port and would like to install the heater boxes, but don't have all the tubes...the kicker being it is my daily driver and I have the motor out right now to replace my leaky push rod tube seals and a leaking oil cooler seal.

Can I go ahead and install them and cap off the intake and drive or would it be better if I wait until I have the hoses?

Also I have been looking, but I can't find a decent picture of the "right way" they should look...any links would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Fri Nov 06, 2009 9:14 am

You pretty well have to install them first, how else will the exhaust get from the front ports to the muffler? Don't cap anything except the tubes on the bus body.

Fri Nov 06, 2009 9:22 am

I have J tubes installed right now. Just trying to do as much as I can while the motor is out. Thanks

Fri Nov 06, 2009 10:26 am

Shouldn't be a problem.

At least get the hoses to take the air from the blower to the exchangers (the ones in the engine compartment). If you don't have these you can use flexible hose easily found at your FLAPS.

This will help you seal the engine better, and not have to worry about it when you get the components to hook the exhcnagers up to the rest of the system that brings warm air into the bus.

DJ Roberts

Fri Nov 06, 2009 10:27 am

I think if you are running heater boxes you need to run the tubes or you will cook your heads.

Fri Nov 06, 2009 10:41 am

bsairhead wrote: I think if you are running heater boxes you need to run the tubes or you will cook your heads.
not necessarily true.
i'm definitely not encouraging running w/o hoses. but i will tell you this: i did it for a week or so in 120deg heat in Lake Havasu AZ.
i had a CHT at the time and it for sure raised head temps.

if you must, just go real easy on it--no long trips & you'll be ok.

Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:05 am

drober23 wrote: Shouldn't be a problem.

At least get the hoses to take the air from the blower to the exchangers (the ones in the engine compartment). If you don't have these you can use flexible hose easily found at your FLAPS.

This will help you seal the engine better, and not have to worry about it when you get the components to hook the exhcnagers up to the rest of the system that brings warm air into the bus.

DJ Roberts

This is why I need a diagram... I have the Bentley and the Idiots Guide, but for some reason, the heating system diagrams in both confuse me. What is/are FLAPS? Also, I am confused as to why it would increase heat to my heads if I don't have the hoses hooked into the bus. I understand from the blower into the boxes, but the "output" is closed when not used.

And I know there are "stock" parts, but for temporary could I use any flexible "heat hose?" I am trying to get Hershey (my bus) running again but getting parts in Arkansas is a pain...

Sorry if this sounds dumb, but I am a first timer on the VWs, I am formally a an old Mustang guy....

Thanks

Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:15 am

lpickard64 wrote: drober23 wrote: Shouldn't be a problem.

At least get the hoses to take the air from the blower to the exchangers (the ones in the engine compartment). If you don't have these you can use flexible hose easily found at your FLAPS.

This will help you seal the engine better, and not have to worry about it when you get the components to hook the exhcnagers up to the rest of the system that brings warm air into the bus.

DJ Roberts

This is why I need a diagram... I have the Bentley and the Idiots Guide, but for some reason, the heating system diagrams in both confuse me. What is/are FLAPS? Also, I am confused as to why it would increase heat to my heads if I don't have the hoses hooked into the bus. I understand from the blower into the boxes, but the "output" is closed when not used.

And I know there are "stock" parts, but for temporary could I use any flexible "heat hose?" I am trying to get Hershey (my bus) running again but getting parts in Arkansas is a pain...

Sorry if this sounds dumb, but I am a first timer on the VWs, I am formally a an old Mustang guy....

Thanks

well in that case, WELCOME.
you have a lot of ?s. i'll do my best.

the flaps are inside the fanshroud where it meets the cylinder tin.
the output of the boxes is NOT closed when not in use. it just doesn't vent to the inside of the bus.

are you asking if you can hook heater hose straight to the boxes?

Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:18 am

duplicate post.

Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:21 am

F.L.A.P.S. Friendly Local Auto Parts Store

Fri Nov 06, 2009 11:28 am

Fri Nov 06, 2009 1:27 pm

The diagram is awesome! Thanks. Now that I see this, I want to know can I just run the system with hooking up the hoses in the diagram marked #4 and not yet have to hook up the hoses marked #15?

Also I don't have a stock exhaust, I am told what I have is a "stinger" Will that hurt/help? Because if I understand right, I won't have the little bowls with the flaps and the sytem will be open from the doghouse into the box (right?????)

Thanks for your help!

Fri Nov 06, 2009 1:38 pm

Fri Nov 06, 2009 4:09 pm

If you're running a header and don't have the preheat "bowls" you run aluminum hose from the shroud outlets through the tin, around the exhaust pipe and connect it directly to the heat exchangers.
Yes you can do without #15 for now but you should close up the holes in the body if it's not too late, don't want any unwanted guests moving into the heat system :shock:

Fri Nov 06, 2009 4:32 pm

No problem at all in running HE's that are not hooked up. You have been using J tubes. HE's are basically J tubes on the inside so there is no difference as far as your engine or engine heat is concerned. And now is the good time for you to install the HE's. Only thing to check is if you have HE's that are bus compatable. Bus HE's or universal HE's are good. Bug specific HE's are not. The cable controls are on the wrong side.
How you go about a lot of installing the whole system depends on how your engine is set up now. If you have a stinger you evidently have a header. A header doesn't have those preheat boxes that are illustrated as part of a stock muffler. So the flex tubes #4 need to directly connect the the HE's. A big place like Little Rock undoubtably has VW parts stores or shops. Go there and get the #4 tubes. Maybe $5 each. So about those #4 tubes- They pass thru holes in the rear tin (sometimes called breast plate). Since your J tubes dont use #4 tubes your rear tim might or might not have the 2 large hoes in it. So find that out. Since you havent been using #4 hoses your fan shroud might have the outlets capped or plugged. Unplug them. Hopefully you havn't been running your engine without those tubes and the fan shroud holes open. If so you were loosing the cooling air. Also it the riear tin had holes that wern't sealed up you engine was drawing in hot exhaust air for cooling. Your header and stinger exhaust without the preheat boxes won't produce as much heating as a stock muffler setup but it will still work.

Tue Nov 10, 2009 11:08 am

Thank you everyone for all your help. I appreciate you not making too much fun of a VW newbie. I have the HEs hooked up and the appropriate hoses rigged.

See you on the road!