Original heater matrix and box

Doc Watson · 11-01-07, 06:43 PM

I have it on good authority that the original Mk I cars had a 'modified' heater box from a MK I ford cortina car. Can anybody confirm this? if so what modifications are required.

It would be logical to assume that the original matrix and fan was retained and the modification was on the 'fan box' shape and the vents which come from it.

I've found an old exploded view of the item in question (not from a GT40 but the same heater).

The reason I ask is because I now own one of these and plan to put it on my car, routing the water from the 'cow horns' (look at an original engine water outlet pipe) through the central spine to the heater and back to the water pump with one of the water pump outlets blanked off. This keeps all the hot pipes in one place and also alows 'instant' heat as the water takeoff point will not be in a part of the circuit which is controlled by a thermostat. (Do the original cars have a thermostat to prevent water flowing through the radiator on engine start-up???)

BTW it cost £4.99 !!!!

Andy

Curtis · 11-02-07, 03:01 AM

Heres an over all view of MK 1,
don't know if this will help ???

Doc Watson · 02-17-08, 08:25 PM

Not quite original but 1960's.... Picked up this sorry looking article and applied elbow grease... will get zinc primer and then gloss black once its all clean. Will need to wait for the chassis to fabricate correct sized plenum chamber that it sits on.

Andy

Doc Watson · 02-23-08, 08:34 AM

Forgot to mention its from a Land Rover Series II. The original box sucked air through the fan and out the sides of the box. The 'flip' sides on the box were used to provide crude airflow, basically left, right or both!!!.

The GT40 conversion will suck air through the side via filtered grills (to be made) and blow hot air out the fan hole into a custom made plenum.

The plenum will have 2 ducts to the windscreen grill and a butterfly valve allowing feet warming.