Driving it without the heater blower?

SP2 · 05-14-2006, 05:08 PM

I had to take out the heater blower and now I can't get it back in, at least not quickly. This is an 81SC with CIS. So now I have the two hoses from the heat exchanger and the hole from the alternator fan sitting there with nothing attached. Can I still drive the car like this? The heat exchanger hoses normally receive air, they don't blow hot air into the engine bay (I think).

Jadams1 · Jadams1's Garage

Block off the left air horn duct so you wont lose cooling air over cylinders 1-2-3, no problem driving after that.

SP2 · 05-14-2006, 06:14 PM

Hi John,

Thanks, but I am not sure what the left air horn duct is. Is it one of the hoses coming off the left heat exchanger (and plugged into the blower motor?

DaveE · 05-14-2006, 06:30 PM

It's where the big black plastic hose comes out of the shroud and goes into the center of the blower you're removing.

SP2 · 05-14-2006, 07:15 PM

I took that hose off. But there is a lot of air coming out of that shroud. Still ok?

SCOTITUDE · 05-15-2006, 12:50 AM

I drove my car for years without the hose on. no problems. Just cap the hole to keep the air flowing over the l/s of the motor. I finally decided to clean up the engine bay so I just installed the blockoff plate from our host since the blower is gone.

Air Block-Off Plate, Left, Fiberglass, 911 (1965-89) [Photo]
PEL-PP910181 $88.50

DaveE · 05-15-2006, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SP2
I took that hose off. But there is a lot of air coming out of that shroud. Still ok?

No, you're losing cooling air unless you block off per Scotitude's method with the block-off plate.

JBO · 05-15-2006, 06:30 AM

...or you cover the hole with metal tape or a tuna can, which is the perfect size, which accomplishes the same thing as the $88 block off plate, though it doesn't look as good...

SP2 · 05-15-2006, 08:49 AM

What if I powder coat the tuna can? Which brand? Chicken of the sea anyone?

Just kidding. I like to have fun with this project of mine. I think I will backdate my heat.

BrokeMyCar · 07-09-2007, 10:37 PM

Careful of the brand! This is very important - DO NOT GET THE 'PEELABLE' CANS. It has to be one you need a can opener for.

Whew, disaster averted (barely).

Babak

JK-81SC · 07-10-2007, 11:34 AM

Go for the back date. It gets rid of that ugly paper hose running across the engine, and gives you a much cleaner look. Easier to work on the engine too, once all the stuff is gone. If you want a picture do a search, or I can take a pic tonight and post it tomorrow.

ianc · 07-10-2007, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Go for the back date. It gets rid of that ugly paper hose running across the engine, and gives you a much cleaner look.

True, and the heat\defrost doesn't work worth crap at low speed anymore, but hey, it looks good.

ianc

JK-81SC · 07-11-2007, 06:58 AM

My blower motor was seized up and not working anymore. By back dating the heater design I got better air flow. I supposed if I had a working system, I may have left it as it's ugly self.

I use my heater with SSI's in Colorado and have never been lacking heat. The SSI's put out so much heat, I can't pull the heater levers more than 1/2 way.