Will I need a heater

[Nick]

Hi

I am intending when finished, to use my 40 occasionally in the British winter, just wondering if I really need to fit a heater

 

[Simon]

Absolutely! Drove my old '40 in sub zero temperatures. Would not have done so without the heater at full blast (either that or route the rad pipes through the cabin....and prepare to be baked in the summer!)
Simon:thumbsup:

 

[Mike Drew]

Alternately, you could have summer and winter engine hatches. When the temperatures drop, pull out the solid one and install one with vents in it--route engine heat from the engine bay straight into the cabin.

Hey, at least your elbow will be hot! :laugh:

 

[David Morton]

Nick - you may certainly need a demister of some sort - that might even be part of the ministry check. If that can be done electrically then fine though the heater/demister can be part of an air conditioning package which may be more apposite even in the UK.

 

[Ian Anderson]

Nick

I dont have a heater or aircon (I always say aircon is for whimps)

I use 2 of the demister units from Car Build solutions that are like hair dryers blowing to clear the screen. Ministry men accepted them

Last winter cold dry days I drove the car with a light jumper on and was hot - stopped in layby and removed jumper to drive in shirt sleeves - likewise when going to Oxford in March - I did direct the cold air eyeball vents away from me!

Before the car was totally done (if they ever are) I drove it over the winter with the side window out (When checking for gearbox leaks)- needed a jumper that day! (And gloves as my fingers froze) but the temp was probably 6 degrees so I expect that should be expected - try drive your daily driver with the window open in winter!

In the summer I sweat in the car - until it is moving (Above 30mph) where ducted air makes a big difference and at motorway type speeds I find no need for aircon. This winter I think I may add some bulkhead insulation and insulate around the footwell to stop excess heat coming through from the radiator flow.

To each their own

Ian

 

[Nick]

Hi,

Thanks for the reply, looks like I'm a whimp, definitely fitting aircon, just wondered if I could get away with just that and save a few pennies. I have a prewar car that I can drive in winter no problems as the heat coming back from the engine is substantial, allegedly has been known to melt shoe soles.

 

[Mike Pass]

Car Builder Solutions do a small aircon/heater set up. Not expensive and quite small and easy to fit under the dash. (You just need to add a suitable pump which youcan get from Airconco in Middletron Oldham). Martin has one in Southern GT No8. It is all connected up now so pop round and check it out.
Link to Car builder solutions air con unit
UNIVERSAL AIR CONDITIONING HEATER KIT AIRCON

Cheers
Mike

 

[Brett James-McCall]

Mike,
You can find a similar system in the US and have it imported for generally less. Also it will be vacuum operated rather than cable for the heater. Just a thought.

Brett

 

[Nick]

Brett,

Thanks for the reply my car is getting to know the way to Martin's by itself, and have seen Martin's aircon. I have seen a combined heater / aircon unit in the USA but they also do just the aircon unit at a very good price, for us tight guys.

 

[Jim Craik]

Nick,

I live in California and I use the heater quite often in the winter!

 

[Simon]

Nick, I always think it's better to spend money up front on things that are going to be difficult to upgrade later. Just imagine when you car is on the road and youve got to strip it all back to put a heater in! Not impossible but difficult.
Simon

 

[Jimmy P]

Nick, I lived in Ipswich many a year and can remember the wet damp winters. I now live in Florida and would kill for some of those wet damp days. Ths summers here are brutal to say the least. But its always been my thought to have it and not need it then need it and not have it!!

 

[Nick]

Thanks guys you have made up my mind, I will leave our paint choice untill much later!!!!

 

[Jack]

Nick, paint choice is somewhat like "which car"...

 

[Malcolm]

No heater or air con fitted in my car for the last 17 years. I have only wished I had a heater about 2 or 3 times but definately you want a demister. Often wished to have aircon though but didn't like the extra weight in a competition orientated car.