Backdating heat exchangers questions
 

OK, after reading the Pelican technical article, I have a few questions about backdating the heat exchangers.

1. Do you have to remove/replace any oil lines? Is so, why? This was not clear to me from reading the Pelican article.

2. Do you have to buy new old (pre-74) heat exchangers? If so, Pelican only sells SSI versions - ~$900 for the set of two.

3. Is it worth it? It looks like it would cost around $1000 to do it, with the only benefits being that the heater may run a little warmer and the engine compartment is less cramped.

The reason I ask is that I'm having problems with my blower motor. It seems like it would be cheaper to just buy a new blower than to backdate the heat exchangers.

Any help is much appreciated.

Steve,

1. The oil line that runs along the back of the engine, near the muffler should be replaced with one that goes toward the front of the car and over the transaxle. Some guys have sucassfully "gonked", or bent, their oil line to clear the old-style heat exchanger.

2. There are other sources of new, mild steel, pre'74 style heat exchangers (Tweeks comes to mind) but they aren't a lot cheaper than SSIs.

3. Is it worth it? Well, you get a HP gain but removing the old heat exchangers is a pain due to the corrosion of the exhaust studs and possible breakage. Doing this mod to fix a blower motor problem makes no sense at all.

I used to think that the heater blower motor actually did something but following a discussion just last week on eliminating it I messed around with the one on my SC and came to the same conclusion as those who advocated it's removal.

If mine went bad I'd buy the stuff needed to backdate the air distribution to the heat exchangers, which would be cheaper than a new blower motor.
PB

You dont need to back date the heat exchangers to backdate (get rid of blower) the air handling. The backdated air handling will work maybe a bit better than your system with a non-working booster fan.

On the oil lines; do a search on SSI's and oil-lines.

OK, so what's involved with backdating the air handling?

Notice that, currently, you have a big hose that comes off one side of the engine, going to the booster fan.
Now look at this thread Link

I think this is the Part No. for the Pelican Oil Lines & Gaskets Kit -PEL-930INK for $300. I have not called to verify that this is exactly what you need to backdate or go w/ SSI’s but it looks right. Check it out.

under install kits

Steve.....

I still have the stainless HEs, Dansk dual out muffler and oil lines that I took off the 3.0 I sold. BTW.....WELL worth the upgrade, it woke up the engine thru all rev ranges. The only reason I took them off was that I upgraded to a 3.6 motor.

Email me at 356@cox.net for details.

We did this on an 87 coupe. Used backdated shroud metal that utilizes both sides of the engine fan. Hoses go through the shroud into the heat exchangers. Simple, clean and should work well.

If I understand this correctly, I already have an outlet from the shroud on the left side that connects to a plastic hose that connects to the existing blower. I need to buy an outlet for the right side of the shroud - is that correct? Then, just cut down the existing heater hoses and attach them to either side of the shroud?

Thanks.

P.S. Is the heater better, worse, or about the same after doing this?

Steve -

Your heat will be BETTER than what it is now with a non-functioning blower motor. Just buy the two fan shroud ducts from a pre-75 car. The left side duct angles back the opposite direction from the one you have now. The right side duct will replace the blockoff plate you have now. I paid $50 for mine from a guy parting out an early engine.


The backdating of the heat exchangers is for more HP. It's not heater related.

Rob
1980SC Euro