Heater Box’s and Tin Delete

For those who couldn't care less how their 356 left the factory!
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Craig Colaluca
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Heater Box’s and Tin Delete

#1 Post by Craig Colaluca »

Hello all

I’m interested in a Bursch header system and also interested in an updated Eberspaecher gas heater for my T6 coupes...I would install in one of the cars and only proceed on the other if I was pleased.

I would want to remove the stock heating equipment and tin flaps. However a technician advised me that the tin work directly under the push rod tubes was necessary for cooling of the engine.

On the other hand I’ve seen pics of header systems installed on engines with exposed push rod tubes.
I would appreciate knowing which is correct.
Thanks
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Geoff Fleming
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Re: Heater Box’s and Tin Delete

#2 Post by Geoff Fleming »

The tech is right about the baffle under the cylinders...it forces cooling air around the underside. If you remove the heater boxes, these baffles stay in place, so it won't affect anything, since they sit above the push-rod tubes and can't be removed without removing the cylinder heads. The modern Eberspacher heaters are a vast improvement over the early BN4. Transistorized , compact and reliable. Used in trucks and aircraft also. If using the car in cold weather probably a great idea.

Adrian Rendle
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Re: Heater Box’s and Tin Delete

#3 Post by Adrian Rendle »

i would definitely not remove the flapper boxes, if that's what you mean: i think they are too critical for engine cooling....i assume you will fit the petrol heater in the front compt....why not use a Webasto Airtop 2000?...you could also use the tunnel to collect heated air and return it to the heater inlet, like the 911/912, this is what i intend to do

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Paul Lima
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Re: Heater Box’s and Tin Delete

#4 Post by Paul Lima »

Feel free to remove the flapper boxes if you'd like. They do not affect engine cooling (in any positive way). If you look at almost any 356 that is a vintage racer, you will not see a single flapper box. I've raced my Roadster without them and it improves the engine cooling, at least a little. I've also driven that engine on the street for over 10K miles without the flappers.

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Craig Richter
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Re: Heater Box’s and Tin Delete

#5 Post by Craig Richter »

Many hot rodders and race cars run around without flapper boxes with absolutely no problems, but some say that closing the flappers when it's really hot outside lets the motor run a little cooler to avoid catastrophe. Old curmudgeon's tale?
 

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Vic Skirmants
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Re: Heater Box’s and Tin Delete

#6 Post by Vic Skirmants »

Craig Richter wrote: Mon Aug 03, 2020 9:50 pm Many hot rodders and race cars run around without flapper boxes with absolutely no problems, but some say that closing the flappers when it's really hot outside lets the motor run a little cooler to avoid catastrophe. Old curmudgeon's tale?
WHAT????

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Vic Skirmants
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Re: Heater Box’s and Tin Delete

#7 Post by Vic Skirmants »

PaulLima wrote: Mon Aug 03, 2020 8:40 pm Feel free to remove the flapper boxes if you'd like. They do not affect engine cooling (in any positive way). If you look at almost any 356 that is a vintage racer, you will not see a single flapper box. I've raced my Roadster without them and it improves the engine cooling, at least a little. I've also driven that engine on the street for over 10K miles without the flappers.
+1

Adrian Rendle
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Re: Heater Box’s and Tin Delete

#8 Post by Adrian Rendle »

but the flapper boxes are the only way you can control how quickly the engine warms up, which is vital....they are a substitute for the better VW flaps at the base of their fan housings

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Martin Benade
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Re: Heater Box’s and Tin Delete

#9 Post by Martin Benade »

That could be done but I’ve not heard of anyone that does. You would need to disconnect the rods to the undercar heat valves to do so.
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Craig Richter
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Re: Heater Box’s and Tin Delete

#10 Post by Craig Richter »

I guess no curmudgeons here...
 

Craig Colaluca
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Re: Heater Box’s and Tin Delete

#11 Post by Craig Colaluca »

Thanks to all for the responses and info.

Adrian, not opposed to the Webasto heater at all. I’ll look into it. One of my cars is 6 volt and the other is 12 volt.
76 911S Coupe
91 964 C2 Targa
92 964 C2 Coupe
76 BMW 2002 (my handsome son’s car)
66 Mercedes 230SL Pagoda (my beautiful wife’s car)
Greenville, SC

Craig Colaluca
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Re: Heater Box’s and Tin Delete

#12 Post by Craig Colaluca »

Hello all, I finally got the “opportunity” to remove my engine to replace a flywheel seal (it’s been a long weekend).
Flywheel seal fixed, engine back in and car running great.
I took the opportunity to remove my flappers as discussed here.
I’d like to understand what I have so I can list it for sale.
Is this best described as 912 double vent flappers and 356 control valves?
Thanks
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76 911S Coupe
91 964 C2 Targa
92 964 C2 Coupe
76 BMW 2002 (my handsome son’s car)
66 Mercedes 230SL Pagoda (my beautiful wife’s car)
Greenville, SC

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Vic Skirmants
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Re: Heater Box’s and Tin Delete

#13 Post by Vic Skirmants »

" 912 double vent flappers "

Nope; 356 double vent flappers. Different arm than 912.

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Cliff Murray
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Re: Heater Box’s and Tin Delete

#14 Post by Cliff Murray »

Craig, where are the tin deflectors that go between the cylinders and the pushrod tubes? Just out of sight I guess.
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Craig Colaluca
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Re: Heater Box’s and Tin Delete

#15 Post by Craig Colaluca »

Thanks for the response Vic. Cliff thank you for asking. I did notice that the deflectors are there and I think you’re correct that this photograph just doesn’t show it.
76 911S Coupe
91 964 C2 Targa
92 964 C2 Coupe
76 BMW 2002 (my handsome son’s car)
66 Mercedes 230SL Pagoda (my beautiful wife’s car)
Greenville, SC

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