Installing an Eberspacher BN2 in a ghia

[CLKWRK]

the timer should work, just put it inline where the original switch would be, make sure the heater still has main power to run its cooldown cycle.
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www.germanlook.net
1971 ghia build:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=336744&start=0
Type 4 upright build:
http://shoptalkforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=134056

[boat_builder]

Well, I've hit a snag or two.

First of all, even having used the templates to cut out the holes for exhaust and air intake, my exhaust doesn't fit through the hole in the body. Its about 10mm too long. I'm pretty sure that I made the new exhaust to the exact dimensions of the old one, but it simply doesn't fit, so I'm off to my workshop to take a 10mm section out of the middle of it.

My other problem is with the wiring of the car. Ramming the air pipe in behind the speedo wasn't such a good idea because I broke the wire off some of the clock light fittings. I also broke the fitting at the end of the speedo cable, so thats yet another job to do.

So I have several problems to fix now

[dubulup]

I find that all the time...fix/add one thing, break or have to rearrange 5 others.

[MRRAGPICKER]

CHECK THIS OUT http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Espar-Gasoline-fire...ccessories

[boat_builder]

Ok, so the heater is finally INSTALLED!

I put a brass tee fitting in the fuel line under the tank and brought it up through a hole in the body just in front of the tank. I punched a 15mm hole and inserted a rubber grommet so the fuel line wouldn't get cut through on the sheet metal. I put a P-clamp on the fuel line just after it entered the luggage compartment. I just used one of the tank-clamp bolts since it was in the right area. I fitted a fuel filter just before the fuel line enters the pump.

I fitted the switch to the (already there behind the plastic) hole in the dash and wired the positive wire to a good strong new wire that I ran the length of the car directly from the battery with an inline fuse. I made a good earthing point by bolting through one of the dash struts. I've decided against fitting the luggage guard at this stage because the 80mm flexible pipe would have to be crushed quite a bit to fit under the fuel pump and it could restrict the flow of air a bit.

I started her up and after the pump had primed itself and got all the air out of the system, it ran for an hour or so with no hitches.

Its a strange feeling to pull a switch and have instant heat even without the engine running. It sounds like the car has a jet engine....I'm sure it'll get some strange looks from passers-by.

A few small details still to sort out:

- I have to get a battery for the carbon monoxide alarm!
- I'm not 100% happy with the operation of the overheat sensor, so I have ordered a replacement from a guy on the samba.
- I still have to punch a hole for the radio aerial wire and re-fit it using a rubber grommet. I had to remove the aerial because the hole in the body was slap-bang in the middle of the hole required for the exhaust.
- I want to double-check the fuel regulator setting. I already did this on the bench, but want to check it again now that it is mounted in the car.
- I have to fit the exhaust tip. I've heard this is important or the heater could over fire itself while driving along.
- The 90 degree air recirculation fitting does not clip securely enough onto the sheet metal...it pops off easily. This is because the little plastic nubs have been worn down. I will have to think of some way to hold it more securely in the hole because if it popped out, it could slide around the luggage compartment and possibly block off the intake for air and lead to major overheating of the combustion chamber.
- I have to tidy up some of the wiring with cable ties.

I'll upload some photos tomorrow.

[boat_builder]

Does anyone know what direction the exhaust elbow should be facing?

Its a 45 degree part that is a slide fit inside the exhaust and is secured with a sheet metal screw.

The exhaust pipe exits pretty much vertically at the top of the wheel well, so in theory I could direct it three different ways....towards the front, the back or the side..... which should I go for?

Here is the exhaust and the removeable elbow...



This is the diagram of the heater....it seems that the exhaust faces FORWARDS.

This goes against my instinct, but maybe because it is exiting at the top of the wheelwell on the left side of the car, the direction of wheel rotation and the draft created by that is the main factor, rather than the direction the car is moving???

[boat_builder]

Apparently the exhaust tip DOES face forwards. Strange but true!

I drove about 50 miles today with the heater on and it worked very well.
I had to turn it off after about 10 minutes because it was too hot, even without the stock heating switched on.

I have no problem so far with starting the heater even when the engine is off....it fires up just fine and doesn't seem to drain the battery that much.
My carbon monoxide alarm has remained silent too and I'm still alive and breathing, so I'm pretty sure the combustion chamber is good.

[dubulup]

so now post some pictures

[boat_builder]

Two and a half years later and here is a photo...better late than never!
There was serious heat from the heater. The pump adjustment was so sensitive, it was hard to control it. If you think about it, it's a pretty mad idea to spray petrol into the air and ignite it
Ghia is sold now unfortunately due to recession!




My entire ghia album...
http://s192.photobucket.com/albums/z282/boat_builder/72Ghia/?start=all

[Volfandt]

[boat_builder]

Really miss the ghia... I've downgraded to an 84 vanagon.

Photos of vanagon resto here...
http://forum.club8090.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=38&t=72888&start=0

[zzhayward]

I have the last gas heater sold by Continental Motors in Portland OR. It was installed in a 1969 ghia and they threw in the Factory Manual for it. Interested in a factory manual and a gas heater?
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1973 914 2L Ravenna Green

[Ian Godfrey]

Yes, very
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