Insulating the heat tubes

[Dan2973]

Insulating the heat tubes. Was just wondering what you guys use to wrap around the heat tubes under the rear seat? I used silver foil duct tape to make sure I covered any gaps but what else do you guys use to insulate them?

[ZEKE65]

I used Heatshield Products hook and loop Thermaflect sleeve.
https://www.heatshieldproducts.com/thermaflect-sleeve-velcro
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1965 VW Sedan, 1968 C10 Step BB, 99 C5

[Schnitzelfuss]

Apparently the factory used insulated padding and burlap and some sort of cover is required https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=743028&highlight=rear+seat+heat
I need both sides for my 1966 restoration, used ones in decent shape are hard to find here in the US. I found a picture of a new one sold by Heritage and noticed they are perforated- I can’t figure out why? Seems to me to be a flawed design but maybe I’m missing something?

[rcooled]

[meranda]

[Schnitzelfuss]

Rcooled that’s an amazing photograph. It also helps me immensely as my project had no interior whatsoever when I found it. Despite their production numbers there can’t be many remaining with an original interior all the way down to the floors like yours.
Something about the design of those heat tubes or their location or maybe even that cozy covering must have accelerated their demise as they are missing from every parts car I've inquired about. They pop up now and then over in the UK but shipping doubles the typical asking price. I will likely end up having to fabricate my own.

[Schnitzelfuss]

Ya know looking at the picture again it looks like a big old couch back there! The back fenders make nice armrests. Maybe I’ll skip the back seat and just upholster that area, toss a couple throw pillows in the corners and move on.

[zerotofifty]

[rcooled]

[Schnitzelfuss]

Heritage confirmed the supplier stated that yes, the pipes are perforated (no, they do not have the flap valve installed either) so my question is why? There’s no solid tube routed inside the perforation so it’s not like the perforation is a heat shield. Why purposely drill numerous leak holes in a tube designed to carry heated air from the engine all the way forward to the windshield? Only reason I can think of is that the Y tube insulation wrap must always be present and serviceable and that will keep most of the heated air moving forward while also providing some radiant heat to the rear seat for the passengers back there, even with the flap valve closed. Without the insulation wrap I would think the rear seat would become a very hot seat real quick and there wouldn’t be any effective defrost.

[viiking]

Perforated tubes did not come in until at least after 1968. My 68 has solid heat tubes.
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1968 1500 RHD Lotus White Beetle since birth. In the hospital for major surgery
1966 Lancia Flavia Pininfarina Coupe - in the waiting room
Discharged: 1983 Vanagon, 1974 1800 Microbus,1968 Low Light,1968 Type 3