opening over gearbox cover

[minijojo]

i removed the heater (late one) because the motor does not spin any more. I found an opening in the middle just above the gearbox cover under the carpet.
[frame][/frame]
I ´m wondering what is it for? should i close it?
would be nice someone has a hint for me
have a nice sunday
regards
Joachim

[ManyMinors]

Fresh air intake for the re-circulating heater?

[936cbpminor]

Hi,
Mine is a '61 with the 'fug stirrer' heater. There is a control fitted to the parcel shelf which opens a flap valve to take in fresh air. maybe when updated to later heaters early chassis were plated over. Best to seal shut as later air intake is via flexible hose from radiator cowl.

[bmcecosse]

Supposedly 'fresh air' - but more likely to be 'oil fume air' from the engine. Not the best idea.....

[ManyMinors]

If this was a later car, the hole wouldn't be there so the car must be pre 1963? I would guess the metal intake trunking has simply been removed and discarded so the owner will either have to find one or plate over it and accept that his heater no longer has an air intake. Strictly speaking the "fug stirrer" is the previous type to this which didn't have any air intake, hence the term, because unless you opened a window, there was no way of introducing air. I have always tended to drive in winter with the heater on and the quarterlight window open for this purpose.

[DAVIDMCCULLOUGH]

The air comes in from 2 small circular holes near the steering rack!

[minijojo]

Thank you all for your comments.
Yes its, a 61´ 2 door saloon with the later smith heater installed without fresh air connection via a hose from the radiator cowl.
Just noticed the opening when removing the heater housing. Now i don't wonder anymore because of the cold feet and the soft smell of oil sometimes
Guess i close that with a suitable metal plate.
i know the way driving in winter with heater on and open quarter light from the beetles i drove 40 years ago. I will do so with the minor now.

[aupickup]

I just put my aircon now

[minijojo]

got an aircon in my second car too ;-)

[whyperion]

The air comes in from 2 small circular holes near the steering rack!

Should there not be a U shaped metal bracket that covers part of the steering column here bolted on and with nuts on the engine side of the bulkhead?

[minijojo]

can anybody please tell me is this the plate to close the hole?

http://www.ebay.de/itm/121830956405

Thanks
Joachim

[ManyMinors]

I guess it must be. I've never seen one before because my car has always had a heater but I suppose some sort of blanking plate must have been fitted to cars of that age where the heater was NOT fitted? The heater was still an option in those days!

Well found