bus heat

[skippytheleglesshobo]

i'd like to boost my bus's heat just a little bit more. i was thinking about instaling a pancake style heater fan in my 69 bus. is this possible? can i hard wire it + and -??

thanks

[keifernet]

IMO the best thing is the fan setup from "Barney's Wagon Works" the type 2 unit is a fan that goes in the big round tube piping the heat up to the front.... this will help draw the warm air up front so you can feel it... the kit comes with all the wiring and a relay ect.. to do it right...
Also make sure your heat exchanger flaps are opening fully... some times minor slack in the cables is not that noticeable....

[TimGud]

A working thermostat on the engine helps. Door seals are nice to have as well! That is Barneys import parts, Tucson Az.

[keifernet]

Thanks Tim, I guess the name changed sometime in the past and I diddn't relize it.... their Ph # is (800)833-3827

[static]

Bus.
Heat.

Pick one from the list.

[sdp65]

I put a suburban propane heater in to my bus and hooked a thermostat up to it. there is an override to the thermostat on the dash so when I am driving I can either turn the heat on or off. It runs off the propane tank for my stove and a coupla winters ago I lived a ski season in idaho and when it was 10 below outside it would get up to about sixty inside. I also insulated EVERYWHERE when i redid the interior. if anyones interested I can send pictures and such- I did have to cut into the body panel for an exhaust pretty close to the sink overflow flap on the drivers side.....

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Take the panels out, clean any rust, paint with roofing sealant, put "NASA" insulation in, replace panels (See www.bully-hewlett.com for more info). You will be amazed at how much that helps AND reduces noise.

Check your heater boxes to make sure they work right and that all of the plumbing is in good shape with no leaks.

Take the front grill off and tape the vent shut or at least replace the weather stripping on it- a lot of air comes through these.

You can put a blower motor inline in the main air supply or in each of the underdash vents.

You can also set up a recirculating system so you aren't always try to heat cold air.

[NeverHadaBeetle]

Everybody has given good advice, but so far nobody has answered the question: Will a pancake style blower fan work on a 69 bus? Unfortunately the answer is no. The upright engine heater boxes simply do not have the inlet required to hook up the fan hoses. The pancake heater boxes had an extra hole/inlet where the fan hooked up so the fan would be of no use in the 1969 bus. Take the other bits of advice from above and they will make a world of difference. Also try a cab divider if you don't need heat in the back seat area. I have stayed warm in 10-20 degree weather with a poorly working heat system by using a cab divider. I have even used nothing more than a heavy blanket or quilt tucked around the tops of the seats which still works well. Just make sure you seal off the walk through space between the seats as much as possible. You would be amazed how well this simple 2 minute fix works when your on a long road trip and you don't have any other options. Good luck with your bus.

[sdp65]

What is NASA insulation?...... I can't get the bully-hewlett.com site to work!!

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Is it the right link?

http://www.bulley-hewlett.com/VWindex/

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http://www.bulley-hewlett.com/VWindex/

The stuff they call NASA insulation is sold by JC Whitney (amongst others). It is recycled wool insulation blanket with aluminum facing on one side. I followed the directions on the Bulley-hewlett site and my '79 is quiet enough that you can actually carry on a conversation while driving down the highway without raising your voice. I added some fiberglass insulation (buy a roll of pink fiberglass insulation- the lower R value is better because you are going to pull it apart to get the thickness right) over it and then a plastic vapor barrier layer. It takes a little work to do, but I think it was well worth the time and expense- enough so that I did it to the '78 Westy I'm working on.

You will need two rolls of the NASA insulation to do the inside. You can save a little money by going to Home Depot and buying heavy duty spray adhesive and aluminum duct tape instead of ordering it from JC Whitless. By gluing the insulation to the panels, you deaden a hell of a lot of the noise! I glued it to the panel in front of the engine (behind the rear seat), but since you need to be able to access the engine, I cut that piece to size and just layed it in place. Put a piece of carpet over it to protect it and further reduce noise. I didn't put any insulation on the floor; I have the thick rubber mat in the '79 and a piece of carpet on top of that.

The other problem is the roof- there isn't any insulation above the headliner. If you are going to pull the headliner out then no problem, otherwise you are stuck with bare metal. On the Westy it's easy to pull the headliner, but you have that huge fiberglass section. I've been thinking about cutting a piece of Dowboard (blue foam insulating board, also sold at Home Depot) to fit in the top for winter use.

Honestly, you won't believe the difference insulating makes!

[sdp65]

Hey check out these, never seen them used, but i bet it would do just the same as a fan in the back...
it is on ebay motors item=1872633639
Scott
[email protected]

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if your bus is all insulated with NASA, how does that work out in the summer HEAT?

[keifernet]

HMMMM.... insulation works both ways.... cooler inside....
Also check out the "radience" paint availble a Sherwin Williams..... the same technology the Gov't uses to paint the inside of tanks and other equipment... insulates from the suns rays and makes a radiant heat barrier.... paint it on before you install your next head liner.....

[static]

That stuff sounds great, but my bus's headliner doesn't yet need replacing.

Can't I just paint some on the inside of my hat?

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During the summer it seems to help a little by also keeping the heat out. The bus has a lot of surface area to absorb lots of solar heat, the insultion stops some of it and also keeps the engine heat down. I have at least one window down while driving but no matter what it's still going to be hot unless you've got a good A/C (in a bus? In South Carolina? ha ha ha!)

[keifernet]

Yeah, I know not many people want to do the headliner or if it was already done, forget the paint or other insulation.... to damn expensive(to re-do).... but the stuff is for real, and it does reduce temps inside your shop/garage or home by spraying it on the roof of your attic and walls that get full sunlight.... and your VW too if you have the headliner out!