Heater return pipe

[Dougie212]

Hi there

I’m looking to replace the heater return pipe on my 1958 Minor. When I say replace, at the moment it doesn’t have one… it just has a rubber hose running across the engine bay.. it fully serves its purpose, but I’d like the engine bay to look tidier.

I’ve seen a variety of pipes available with one or two mounts and just wondered if anyone could advise which one I would need please. I’ve found conflicting adverts all suggesting different mountings.

Many thanks

Duncan

[philthehill]

A photo of your engine bay would be helpful especially the run of the return pipe.
Does your return pipe fit into the bottom of the radiator or go to the return inlet of the water pump?

[geoberni]

it just has a rubber hose running across the engine bay.. it fully serves its purpose, but I’d like the engine bay to look tidier.

And how do you know that's not the correct configuration?
Have you looked at the workshop manual?

A heater still had to be specified as an Extra on standard Cars, it was only in the Deluxe factory spec.
If you have a Morris/BMC/BL Workshop manual, the details are given at the back in section SS.

heater.JPG (55.77 KiB) Viewed 5592 times

If you want to modify it to a later standard, then there's more than just a pipe required....again the full details are in the manual.

[Dougie212]

Maybe it didn’t have one originally and this is the how the pipe was always ran. I just had seen a neater looking heater return and thought I’d look into it.

Ive hopefully attached a picture taken some weeks ago of my engine bay showing the pipe connecting to the water pump return inlet..

IMG_3608.jpeg (433.67 KiB) Viewed 5586 times

Thanks

Duncan

[alfie austin]

Hello,
I faced a similar issue, so I made a suitable pipe using 15mm copper pipe, two elbows and reducers. Fixed with a couple of strap brackets under manifold nuts (so not over top of thermostat housing !) - see photos…
Kind regards.

[Dougie212]

Hi Alfie

Yes, that’s exactly my train of thought. To run the pipe neatly instead of it just cross crossing across the bay.

Yours looks really good.

[philthehill]

This is the type of return pipe that you require and factory original too
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166443220300 ... R8Tx_Iz9Yg
Here is another of the same type:-
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305273168231 ... 0667.m2042

[Dougie212]

Thank you very much Phil!!!! That’s added to my watchlist!! Thank you!!

[Dougie212]

This is the type of return pipe that you require and factory original too
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/166443220300 ... R8Tx_Iz9Yg
Here is another of the same type:-
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/305273168231 ... 0667.m2042

Part ordered.. thanks Phil.

[geoberni]

Maybe it didn’t have one originally and this is the how the pipe was always ran. I just had seen a neater looking heater return and thought I’d look into it.

Your photo shows that someone has bodged their own hybrid version.
There were 2 subsequent versions of the heater pipe routing, I've no idea at what point they changed, but they are illustrated in the Workshop Manual.
The earlier one was connected to the introduction of the 'Fresh Air Vent' in the floor.
You will note that they run opposite sides of the Rocker Cover.
For the benefit of those without a WS manual... apparently there are such people out there who even try to maintain safety critical things like brakes without one .... here's the drawings.

heater1.JPG (67.68 KiB) Viewed 5481 times

[philthehill]

Found this heater pipe as well as the two types above
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/225501436785 ... R7LXvM_9Yg

[Dougie212]

Maybe it didn’t have one originally and this is the how the pipe was always ran. I just had seen a neater looking heater return and thought I’d look into it.

Your photo shows that someone has bodged their own hybrid version.
There were 2 subsequent versions of the heater pipe routing, I've no idea at what point they changed, but they are illustrated in the Workshop Manual.
The earlier one was connected to the introduction of the 'Fresh Air Vent' in the floor.
You will note that they run opposite sides of the Rocker Cover.
For the benefit of those without a WS manual... apparently there are such people out there who even try to maintain safety critical things like brakes without one .... here's the drawings. heater1.JPG

Ahh … see, this is why the sensible part of my brain was telling me it was missing a return pipe…..
WS manual - the single most important download I’ve found..