Heater Box and Insulation for Bugsy IV

[Jim_Gruber]

I popped open the corner of the heater Box on Bugsy IV last night and was surprised to see just a Heater Coil and no insulation in the Heater box. Isn't this supposed to be crammed tight with insulation? I recall some suggestions made in the past to add insulation here. I seem to recall Styrofoam or some sort flexible foam padding. The Heater is not putting out a tremendous CFM Flow. I'm sure some air gaps here are not helping. Thoughts gents on improving airflow and temps.

 

[Rut]

Jim,
I lined mine with a thin insulating sheet and sealed the seams with aluminum duct tape. I also used a thick exterior weather strip to make sure the flow went thru the heater radiator, not around.
Rut

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Rut, I see how you can seal on three sides and I was thinking about some sort of flexible/rubberized thin foam. But how did you use an Exterior Weather Strip? I have not fully opened up the heater just popped top and side clips off and peeked inside.

 

[nomad]

Stock, the heater should have a strip of fairly rigid foam along side the core and at its ends to keep air from getting past the heater core. I don't drive mine when it gets really cold but if I did I would use household heater duct stick on insulation on the outside of the heater box. Not sure if it would stay stuck on the inside and it would reduce air flow. My wife loves how toasty I can get her side of the car and still be comfortable on my side. Right now though I have most of the radiator covered with cardboard on my driver 66 Midget in order to get the engine warm enough for the heater to work!

Kurt.

 

[Rut]

Jim, wrap the weather strip around each end of the heater radiator and it should seal well. When I mounted the front cover on the heater box I used part of the thin insulation mounted proud of the center 'frame'.
Rut

 

[Jim_Gruber]

On the inside you mean Rut?

 

[Rut]

On the inside you mean Rut?

Yes, on the inside...once the cover clips on it will seal well. The foam weatherstrip wraps around the ends of the radiator before its placed inside the heater box.
Rut

 

[gfholl]

I used foil backed foam pipe installation (from home improvement store) on the inside to seal cover leaks as well between the bottom and the battery tray etc.

Gary

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Just one more project to put on the list when I pull the engine prior to painting.