Heater or no heater?

[NCEJetta98]

So i have just purchased a 65 bug. I recently realized that it doesnt have the heater boxes and only has j tubes and no muffler. So my question is is there a reason to not go with the heater? And is it worth buying the heater boes to restore the heater, do the heaters work well enough to for out the cash?

[Schell R32]

air cooled cars do have ok heat to get some of the chil out of the air...but to say they will defrost your windows and sweat you out on a 20 degree aint gonna happen.

and it's been said that a heater box in the off cabin position can actually make excessive heat under the heads and cause higher engine temps...though i have never temp guaged it...i kinda think it makes sense so lots of guys take em opff and put j tubes on to help keep sthe heads a touch cooler from the heater boxes building up heat.

but tis is an un documented thing.

[air-cooled or diesel]

maybe try blocking off fan shroud where air goes to exaust (heaters) and use seperate fans for heater boxes, seems to me will keep ex valves cooler (a very good thing!) and you will have more for heat. 2 seperate fans would be best i think.

[volkspapa]

So i have just purchased a 65 bug. I recently realized that it doesnt have the heater boxes and only has j tubes and no muffler. So my question is is there a reason to not go with the heater? And is it worth buying the heater boes to restore the heater, do the heaters work well enough to for out the cash?

The simple answer is no. A heater in an air cooled is an oxymoron. I run with it full on even in 100f temps just to keep my engine cool. In my bus I actually get good heat flow to the front but I still have to wear mittens and a hat and scarf if the outside temp is 50f or lower.

The only way to really get good heat is to get one of the after market electric blower kits to force the air up in to the cabin. I've also had a bad experience of water getting in my 66 through the rear heater inlets below the back seat in heavy down poor. In my beetle what I did was removed the heater boxes like you've done, then wired in a 12v outlet below my seat and plugged in a 12v ceramic heater. It actually kept me warm.

Hope this is worth reading.

[NCEJetta98]

Thanks so basically its not worth spending the money on especially since im re doing the motor and its currently summer.

[stealth67vw]

I run with it full on even in 100f temps just to keep my engine cool.

That works on a car with a radiator, but your taking air from your heads doing that. Logically think about it.

[buggyman]

That works on a car with a radiator, but your taking air from your heads doing that. Logically think about it.

When you divert air from cooling the engine the engine just gets hotter
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...ce87ef06d5e488

http://www.chircoestore.com/catalog/...p?topic=4089.0

http://www.chircoestore.com/catalog/...p?topic=4316.0

http://www.chircoestore.com/catalog/...p?topic=3998.0

Spend the $$ to properly button up the heater system NCE ,it's not always gonna be summer,moisture in the cabin comes from a not completely sealed system:
fresh door & window seals,clamped/insulated heater hoses between the boxes & cabin,fresh engine & decklid seals
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...216822cb62671d

"and it's been said that a heater box in the off cabin position can actually make excessive heat under the heads and cause higher engine temps"
A cruel rumor Schell ,heater boxes don't generate heat,they only redirect heat generated from the engine into the cabin,if all the tin is there then then there's no difference at all between running boxes or not.

[rabbitnothopper]

if your windows are frosting up inside id say....get some stuff to put on the windshield to prevent it from frosting up

or, breathe through a hose which goes outside the window

its mostly about condensation from YOU or moisture inside the car

dry the inside of the car, or breathe outside

the water vapour in your breath will condense on the inside of the windshield


and hmm... although i know nothing about heater inside the car i agree 100% with everyone

but you can get an electric heater unit to install inside your car and run it on a separate 12v battery....or something
just dont melt the car

[ANSAracingb]

I don't know what all you guys are talking about...almost every single person who talks about heat in ACVWs says there is no such thing. My heater boxes work awesome and it get damn toasty even when cold outside during winter time (yeah I know, I live in California so what do I know about winter, lol).

Anyway, I have to crack the wing windows or roll down door windows to keep from sweating my nutz off. Am I the only one? It is a Beetle not a Type II, so less cubic feet of space to heat than many of the vehicles on here...

[stealth67vw]

This is my 180+hp 2165cc engine with 1 3/4" Berg heater box exhaust. I went through a ton of effort and money to use heaters on my big engine since it gets to the teens and 20s here in Oregon every winter. I use the factory thermostat and all factory VW tin except the rear breast plate tin since I don't run heat risers. So far with about 400 miles on the engine with temps now in the upper 80s, I can't get the oil temp up to 170F and the head temp stops at 325F no matter how hard I beat on it and I'm running a power pulley, 9.4:1 compression and just a stock doghouse cooler.

[locutisj]

Wow. Some interesting comments here. I myself am happy with the stock heat system. I, however did go through and replace all hoses, sealed all holes, installed new heat boxes (ceramic coated), new thermostat and installed the defroster blower kit found at many online VW stores. The new heat boxes and blower kit made a world of a difference. I haven't been in real cold weather yet but been out a few times in the 40's and once she warmed up, I was warm. I also have repaired the fresh air system too. This should help with the aforementioned frosting issue on the inside when combined with the defrost. The other very important item to mention is to have ALL engine tins installed, or as much as possible. I'm running a Baja so there's a couple missing as they would be useless with my set up.
Hope this helps.

[6603]

Ok, I installed J Tubes, welded my fan shroud ducts shut, and sealed my tin where the hoses went through. What do I use to seal/cover the hoses that go to the cabin?

[buggyman]

Ok, I installed J Tubes, welded my fan shroud ducts shut, and sealed my tin where the hoses went through. What do I use to seal/cover the hoses that go to the cabin?

An appropriately sized freeze or expansion plug
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...D4mtiQK51P3FAg

[6603]

Thanks buggyman. I have never used freeze plugs. Do I just tap them in?

[buggyman]

Thanks buggyman. I have never used freeze plugs. Do I just tap them in?

Dayo 03 ,
Either have to back 'em up with screws

into the pipes
leading into the cabin after removing the hoses(#2 in your case) from the body ,or crank the bejeebers outta the expansion plugs backed up with hose clamps in order to not have them pop out when you close the door if you're runnin' good door & window seals .

[skills@eurocarsplus]

i am running german heater boxes on my single cab, and the heat will cook you out of it. german boxes are the way to go, they have WAY more fins than the crappy aftermarket boxes. if my wife dosen't b!tch it's cold, then it is worth finding good german boxes