heater

[samuria]

is it right you can blank off the round smiths heater with gaffer tape so it blows through only the demister vents? if so wont the tape just get hot and fall off ?

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

You can block it off but I wouldnt use gaffa tape as it would become a sticky mess. My green car is a 63 and has the hardboard cowling around the heater, I blocked the gaps around it with some sponge ( to stop the heat escaping along the parcel shelf) and push a cloth up from under the shelf when I want the full power up to the screen. It makes a big difference!!

[callyspoy]

a little more time consuming, but this is what i did...
take the heater apart, so that you have the bare front cover/vent(the bit with the switch on it) get some fibreglass sheet and stick it to the inside of the cover so that it covers the vent holes.
when it has hardened, drill some small holes in it so that you get a bit of warmth to your feet, or don't, if you aren't fussed. paint the fibreglass black and refit. it looks standard, and means you get huge airflow to the screen! well...ish!!
that makes it sound more complex than it is, but is very easy!

[samuria]

that sounds a great idea. thanks for that

[Andy]

Another alternative is to replace the motor. If your motor is anything like my old one then it'll be a wheezy pathetic old thing by now. I bought a new motor from Holden...

http://www.holden.co.uk/displayproduct. ... de=080.514

...which transformed the performance of the heater. After years of driving along in winter looking through two portholes of clear glass I now have a clear windscreen AND a warm car.

Note: Holden are quite expensive (see link!) so the motor may be available cheaper elsewhere. Even if it's not I reckon it was still worth it.

Clayton's website can be found at http://www.claytoncc.co.uk/

Regards

Andy

[mike.perry]

The fug stirrer heater is able to cope with keeping the windscreen clear with just the driver on board but with passengers it is normally necessary to request them to stop breathing
Other solutions are to open the quarter lights or to give them a duster with instructions to keep wiping.