yoghurt pot heater mod

[cyrus]

I got this idea from an old post by bmcecosse regarding improving the heater output. He suggested removing the air intake trunk from the stub and directing it at the back of the radiator. The hose is actually a bit short but I extended it using a yoghurt pot with the bottom cut out of it. I also pulled the trunk through the retaining circular clip a bit as well. Added to that a strip of cardboard about 5 ins. wide down in front of the radiator to blank it off a bit. The results have been good, the heater is much warmer now it is not being fed with freezing cold air. The hose seems content to just sit there and doesn't foul anything. Cost: 85 pence, including the yoghurt

[MontysDad]

That's a good idea, might do similar on mine though I'd prefer to route the heater intake hose to the top of the radiator where it is warmer than the bottom.

[svenedin]

Having just overhauled my heater, it works well and is really warm without interfering with the air intake. I think this is a "workaround" for a heater that is not working properly.

[philthehill]

The elephant trunking is there to supply fresh (cold) air to the heater where it is either directed cold into the interior or heated by the heat exchanger element of the heater and then passed through to the interior.
I would agree with svenedin in that moving the elephant trunking to behind the radiator is a 'workaround' solution.
A Minor heater in good working condition should not require the elephant trunking to be moved. The heater being referred to is after all a fresh air type heater.

[simmitc]

It is still "fresh air", taken from outside the car, just slightly warmed by the radiator. I can recall the mod being discussed before and even saw one car at a rally where the owner had made a sliding bracket to move the hose between its normal position for summer and the radiator for winter. It's an early form of heat recovery that is now billed as a modern energy saving technique for buildings.

[jagnut66]

Whilst I agree this was probably originally intended as a 'workaround' solution, while the heater in question was either repaired or replaced, I also can't help but see the advantage of the extra heat in the colder months.

and even saw one car at a rally where the owner had made a sliding bracket to move the hose between its normal position for summer and the radiator for winter.

And this seems like the perfect longer term solution. as mentioned above, as long as the trunk doesn't foul anything (the fan springs to mind -- although metal fan vs plastic hose...... ).
I don't suppose you took a picture of the setup you mentioned above?
Also nice to see 'bmcecosse's' pearls of wisdom living on........
Best wishes,
Mike.

[Monty-4]

Steve Baimbridge of Mostly Minors, mentioned here a couple of times, sells a metal bracket to achieve the same as the yohurt pot.

Slightly more expensive but a little more resiliant too!

[jagnut66]

Steve Baimbridge of Mostly Minors, mentioned here a couple of times, sells a metal bracket to achieve the same as the yohurt pot.

I had a look to see if 'Mainly Minors' had a website, intending to post up a link, so people could search it for this part (much like ESM etc.) but I can't seem to find one.
Does anyone know if he has a parts website?
Best wishes,
Mike.

[geoberni]

He seems to have almost Zero online presence.
I found he has a LinkedIn professional profile, but I'm guessing he's never really used it.
it reads

ProprietorProprietor
Mainly Minors
Mainly Minors Jan 1980 - Present · 43 yrs 2 mos Jan 1980 - Present · 43 yrs 2 mos Twyning, GloucestershireTwyning, Gloucestershire

A small business doing vehicle restoration & also modern car mots, servicing & repairs.
We are welding specialists with a roll over cradle that turns the car on its side for full floor replacement or chassis repairs.
We all so have paint spraying facility's.
I have done a lot of Hot rod projects & custom cars
My own car built by me some 26 years ago is a 1929 Ford A roadster replica with a 350hp Chevy V8 engine(up for sale)

That could have been put up a decade or more ago.
He really must be a tiny, word of mouth, one man show, business.
He doesn't even come up on any free listing sites; those that would normally list the most solitary of business and have a 'Is this your business? Click here to claim it' box on the listing page.... Very odd.

[KeithL]

Does anyone know if he has a parts website?

Steve doesn't have an online presence or a parts website. He is indeed a one man business who relies on referrals and a loyal customer base who go back year after year, as we do. Here are his contact details which I seem to have posted a few times recently:

Tel: 01684 290 441
Mob: 07891 919 895

[Bill_qaz]

Mine has an aluminium one attached to the radiator for winter position, it was on the car when I bought it, looks like it was fabricated.

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