Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi

the late Smiths fresh air blower/demister on a 1969 Traveller is a bit slow in the flow of air(only one speed aviliable). any suggestions to a better solution with the same blower ?Bypass of hoses etc. ?

cheers

Try making sure that:

1) The large diameter tube is securely fastened to the fitting at the front of the car (and that the holes are clear). I've got the '66 2 door saloon, and the flow of air throught the heater is pretty good.

2) Make sure that all the hoses behind the dashboard (from the heater to the windscreen vents) are connected and clean inside (they have a tendency fo fall off & warm the feet!).

3) Check the sealing foam on the moveable flap. The lever (Off, Car, Screen) should move a metal flap to change the direction of the air flow. It replies on soft foam rubber to seal between the flap and the car vent (Big one in the middle). If the foam isn't good, too much air leaks into the car, not the windscreen.

I've not had any problems with the air-flow using just the one switch (on/off) - usually "off". If you are low on heat, that's a different set of things!

You may be able to add a multi position switch and add some resistors to reduce the fan speed, but I cannot see how you could increase it without a new fan/heater system.

Colin

If you still esnt more air after checking the above, then you need a more powerful fan. Try the unit from a mini, but you'll have to strip the heater in order to fit it. Morris Minor Centre in Birmingham (and proably otherss too) offer an uprated heater unit with two speed blower.

I use an 88 deg. c thermostat in the winter. It will not improve the air flow but it's surprising the difference a small increase to the available air's temperature makes.

I have fitted the late Minor type heater and find that the air flow is
fine. I wonder if your heater water matrix is blocked with fluff
and dirt etc(involves a complete strip down I am afraid to clean it).
You could be suffering a voltage drop due to bad connections to the
heater motor. The foam on the three position flap does not have
anything to do with the air flow it only comes in to play when the
flap is in the OFF position. What is important is to ensure that,when
you feel inside the air vent on the front of the heater the flap is wide
open in the 'CAR' position and moves to line up perfectly with the
inner flange in the 'SCREEN' position so that as much air as possible
is directed upwards. It is possible that the operated lever angle has
been bent so that these conditions do not still happen. (Feel inside
the vent and operate the flap and you will soon know what I mean)

As it happens - i have just been doing something along these lines today. I have used the moveable flap and the front cover from a Minor heater to make my Mk III Mini heater look like the older MK II heater ! Now the Mini MK III heater is the same as the Minor heater - EXCEPT it has a much bigger fan and motor - and can therefore shift twice the air ! So get a Mini MK III heater from the scrappy - £5 should be enough - and just fit the moveable flap and the front panel from the Minor !! Both parts go straight on - I chose to drill a hole and mount the fan switch below the unit - as per Minor - so either set up a remote switch - or transfer the Minor switch. Only a hour or two of work - including swapping over the heaters on the car.

Change the whole heater for a mini one, I have been told they are a lot better, Dont look origional though. Or could you try looking and replacing the heater matrix?

i must admit i find the original late minor heater perdectly adequate

Of course, there is an excellent video or two on this subject courtessy of two of the female members of this board (hint)

Change the whole heater for a mini one, I have been told they are a lot better, Dont look origional though. Or could you try looking and replacing the heater matrix?

Sam check the technical tips section out on heater improvement

In addition to the previous suggestions, your heater motor might be on its last legs (they don't last for ever) or maybe the heater wires weren't reversed when someone changed the polarity on your car - that can also give a weak fan output.

I've only ever wanted a better fan in mid winter so if the fan is poor at this time of year I expect there's something faulty (as per other folks above). In winter I now disconnect and block the fresh air intake, as the heater struggles to heat up warm air - let alone freezing air. In spring / autumn you'll want the fresh air intake as this gives much better flow and you'll only need to use the fan when stationary.

The matrix is the same on Mini and Minor heaters. If you really want a super heater - block off the bypass hose and fit an 88 degree thermostat - plus change to the Mini heater (but fit the Minor flap etc to keep it looking right). I have my fresh air hose taking air from just behind the radiator - so the air is pre-heated before it gets to the heater !

Well, I heard that the later Mini heater matrix was thicker and more efficient, but I have never compared the two side by side to be honest.

I've just fitted a 3speed (proper speeds) not just puff and more puff.found on the mini units. The matrix is rated to 6kw, more than enough to heat a small room let alone a moggy. Its very descreet and has two rotary vents for the car heating along with the two usual screen demisters. If anyone wants a picture of the unit in situe, please e-mail me at the usual address

Well, I heard that the later Mini heater matrix was thicker and more efficient,

You are right Cam the later mini uses 5/8" hose against the Minors 1/2" and it also has more veins in it than the Minor one.

Kevin wrote:it also has more veins in it than the Minor one.

Yeuch! Have you been driving through abattoir sluice with your heater on then?

Wot`s an abattoir sluice, some type of stokie device I am a townie after all said and done and I am only used to an apple slice.

Oh you crazy southerners! You are probably all veggies down there anyway so you won't know what an abattoir is, let alone drive through the sluice and pick up veins in the vanes of your heater... gosh this thread is getting a bit surreal now...

You are probably all veggies down there anyway so you won't know what an abattoir is,

surely people who don't know what an abbatoir is - or have never been to one are more likely to be meat eaters!