MG-Cars.info

Welcome to our Site for MG, Triumph and Austin-Healey Car Information.

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - TD Heater Installation

Following on from all the excellent articles and ideas on heater installation here's my effort. It starts with a repro Arnolt water take-off and return, goes through some silicone pipe bends along some painted copper pipe, through the bulkhead via a TR6 stainless steel flow and return fitting, along more silicone water pipes into the back of the round Smith's heater. The heater is held in place by a pair or simple brackets attached to the 'roll-bar' under the dash using exhaust pipe 'U' brackets.
As suggested elsewhere on this most excellent of forums the original fan was replaced with a couple of 12v computer cooling fans as they only draw miliamps, one on the back of the unit and one on the front (behind the front grill), the speed controlled by the built-in rheostat/on off knob.
I also fitted a neat little air bleed valve in a copper 'T' piece.
I've yet to get a decent drive in to report on the efficiency but it's got to be warmer than nothing! I'll report later.
Here's some pictures, they're fairly self explanatory.


Cliff Harvey

Heater with brackets



Cliff Harvey

Pipes through inside of bulkhead



Cliff Harvey

Heater in position



Cliff Harvey

Overall under-bonnet shot



Cliff Harvey

Air bleed valve and Triumph TR bulkhead fitting



Cliff Harvey

Arnolt fitting and silicone pipe bends



Cliff Harvey

Very nice, can you give us the part number and where you bought the firewall fittings? I like those!
Geoffrey M Baker

I used the TR bulkhead fitting also. Works out real well and looks nice. PJ

Paul S Jennings

Goeffrey, £18.00 sterling, or approx $28.00 US. Moss has them, their for a TR-4.
Paul S Jennings

$18.75 Moss US. Part no. 635-220. PJ
Paul S Jennings

Paul is that some miracle shrink hose? Where are the clamps?
Geoffrey M Baker

Clamps aren't on yet in the photo, they are now. Grin. PJ
Paul S Jennings

Paul,
For a really great look(although very far from original), use the new heat shrinkable hose clamps from Gates.
Mort

Mort 50 TD

Cliff,
Where did you get the Arnolt fitting?
I was thinking of canabalizing two Morris Minor lower hoses with heater take-offs.
Regards
Declan
D Burns

Give Ben Cordsen A shout at

sculptart at hotmail dot com

One was $40, postage included this year.

Rod
Rod782

Just as a follow-up when I tried the original set-up it wasn't very warm, I suspected the thermostat was stuck open a little which didn't help and proved correct.
I ditched the computer cooling fans in favour of a 12v 5in diameter cooling fan, it blows a similar amount to the original, although, again with very little amperage drop.
The end result is a very warm interior indeed and I've haven't put the sidescreens in yet just the hood up. The Arnolt flow and return adaptor (from Ben Cordsen)is an easy fit and works very well.
It's currently about six degrees but the temperature is due to drop to around 0 degrees over Christmas which I'm now looking forward to.
If anyone in the UK is looking for a stainless steel Triumph TR bulkhead fitting I have a spare for £10 plus p&p.
Cliff Harvey

I don't understand the principle of the Arnolt heater take off. I looks to me as if you are taking and returning the heater flow from the coolest part of the system (the rad return). I understand this will work while the stat is closed but not when it opens.
My take off is next to the temp gauge bulb and returns to the rad return pipe.
What am I missing?
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

Ray mine is the same as yours, but the TD being different, I don't quite understand it either.

Mine,


Paul S Jennings

Can anybody explain the logic in the Arnolt take off?
I understand the take off principle just not where it is located.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

Does this help?

MG LaVerne

Or

MG LaVerne

Mort,
Thanks for the "heads up" on the Gates Clamps! !!

Steve
Steve Wincze

MG LaVerne.
I understand how the connector works. My problem is that when the stat opens the flow is through the rad and reduced or stopped to the heater.
I know you will get some heat but not as much as the take off from the head. At one time I had the flow from the rear of the head, moving it to the front improved the heat massively.
As an Engineer I would always take flow from the hottest to the coolest part of a system. Like to like requires a positive pump flow to be efficient.That is unless I have made a basic mistake.
Ray TF 2884
Ray Lee

This thread was discussed between 10/12/2014 and 26/12/2014

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archives. Join the live MG TD TF 1500 BBS now