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General Forums => Air Speed Lounge => Topic started by: pockets on July 19, 2006, 11:55:19 AM

Title: Gas Heater
Post by: pockets on July 19, 2006, 11:55:19 AM
Does anyone know if it is possible to get a new gas heater for a 1968 Bug?

If so from where?

I am looking for one that mounts in front of the driver under the hood or infront of the passenger.

Thanks
Title: Gas Heater
Post by: amishrabbi on July 19, 2006, 12:00:40 PM
i always found gas heaters very scary when placed there
Title: Gas Heater
Post by: Bruce on July 19, 2006, 01:39:24 PM
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i always found gas heaters very scary when placed there
Wimp!
Title: Gas Heater
Post by: Bruce on July 19, 2006, 01:46:03 PM
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Does anyone know if it is possible to get a new gas heater for a 1968 Bug?

If so from where?
 
www.espar.com

This is the same company that made the eberspacher heaters for VW in the 50s, 60s and 70s.  They just shortened the name.  You can buy a new gas burning heater which is quite a bit smaller than the B2 that is designed to fit your car.  With the new one, you have to fab up your own mounts and ducting.  The final installation isn't nearly as neat as the older B2.

Here's a pic of a B2 in a Beetle:

http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/159687.jpg (http://images.thesamba.com/vw/gallery/pix/159687.jpg)
Title: Gas Heater
Post by: amishrabbi on July 19, 2006, 01:48:43 PM
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Wimp!
bad experiences with gasonline and fire


the hair takes months to grow back
Title: Gas Heater
Post by: jason_hamilton on July 19, 2006, 05:56:32 PM
If you ever study one, they're basically fool-proof. The inner core is stainless steel and can't corrode. The only way one could catch fire is if an external fuel line ruptured, and they're steel braided and under about 3psi, so not much chance of that.
Finding a complete OE one shouldn't be too hard, and if you can pull it out of the car yourself you can get all the mounting brackets and ducting. Usually the only thing that goes wrong with them is the fuel pump seizes from lack of use and the gas jet gets clogged.
Title: Gas Heater
Post by: btljuce on July 19, 2006, 09:02:48 PM
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Usually the only thing that goes wrong with them is the fuel pump seizes from lack of use and the gas jet gets clogged.
on the bright side if the element ever burns out you could have ac ???!!! :P  
Title: Gas Heater
Post by: Bruce on July 19, 2006, 10:47:55 PM
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bad experiences with gasonline and fire


the hair takes months to grow back
You'd better sell your car and ride the bus then since your engine uses that dangerous gasoline too.

I've seen plenty of cars (VWs and others) that have had engine fires, but I have NEVER seen a burnt gas heater.  

Who here has personally seen a burnt gas heater?
Title: Gas Heater
Post by: Chris on July 19, 2006, 10:58:02 PM
not me, the one in my old 76 bus still worked like a charm, the one in my old 73 beetle worked awesome too
Title: Gas Heater
Post by: amishrabbi on July 19, 2006, 11:02:18 PM
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Quote
bad experiences with gasonline and fire


the hair takes months to grow back
You'd better sell your car and ride the bus then since your engine uses that dangerous gasoline too.

I've seen plenty of cars (VWs and others) that have had engine fires, but I have NEVER seen a burnt gas heater.  

Who here has personally seen a burnt gas heater?
id just be edgy with a flame above my gas tank.

i'm sure they work awesome and very few people have problems it just seems odd to me.
that said i might end up using one instead of heater boxes
Title: Gas Heater
Post by: Chris on July 19, 2006, 11:12:57 PM
if your so worried go buy a 12V electric heater and wire that up
Title: Gas Heater
Post by: slugbug on July 20, 2006, 09:04:07 AM
My uncle had a gas heater explode in an early 60s bug he used to have. Started the car and gas heater one cold morning and went back in the house til the car warmed up.  A few minutes later he heard a loud \"BANG\". Underside of the hood was scorched and the heater was kaput. It blew off the heaters exhaust pipe too  :blink:  
Title: Gas Heater
Post by: Matt on July 20, 2006, 04:22:47 PM
You guys sure ride someone that has a differing opinion. It must feel good to be that high and mighty, I wish I was that important.

I'm with you rabbi, I've never had one blow up or catch fire but I've never had one work either. The whole concept concerns me. I guess that's why I drive a GMC during the winter.
Title: Gas Heater
Post by: amishrabbi on July 20, 2006, 05:03:09 PM
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You guys sure ride someone that has a differing opinion. It must feel good to be that high and mighty, I wish I was that important.

I'm with you rabbi, I've never had one blow up or catch fire but I've never had one work either. The whole concept concerns me. I guess that's why I drive a GMC during the winter.
im just a humble student without the luxury of a winter car


i do like that 12v heater idea...
Title: Gas Heater
Post by: Bruce on July 20, 2006, 05:47:50 PM
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You guys sure ride someone that has a differing opinion. It must feel good to be that high and mighty, I wish I was that important.

 
I would respect his opinion if it had any basis on FACTS.
Title: Gas Heater
Post by: Bruce on July 20, 2006, 05:54:04 PM
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i do like that 12v heater idea...
I'll do you a favour.  12V heaters don't work in cars.

If you had a 50 A alternator, at full charge, it produces 50A x 12V = 600W.  Since you need to run your headlights, etc., you can only use 3-400W to heat the car.  
Now imagine the amount of heat emitted by 3 or 4 100W lightbulbs.  That's all you will get from an electric heater in a car.

This is why you never see cars with electric heaters.
Title: Gas Heater
Post by: amishrabbi on July 21, 2006, 12:11:50 AM
that does make sense, guess its heater boxes for me
Title: Gas Heater
Post by: rustybus on July 21, 2006, 02:11:25 AM
Most problem with gas heater arn't the gas heater it's the moron that tries to fix it . Which is why I prefer the James Marshall Style heater thick socks and wool gloves. Yeah baby rap it up to stay warm.