3 inch diameter pipe from engine bay to interior?

fetasigma · Post by **fetasigma** » Sat Oct 25, 2003 12:02 am

For some reason i have a 3 inch diameter pipe that runs from the inside of my engine bay into the rear interior of my car on the ledge in the back. is there any purpose for this, is it even stock it looks original like it was there from the begining and i noticed this on other mexican safaris while i lived in mexico. woult it hurt to grind it off and seal it over? anybody have a clue why it is there? thanks all

Advokat · Post by **Advokat** » Sun Oct 26, 2003 3:01 pm

Cannot really get a handle on what you're describing. How about a picture?

Thanks,
Rick

MNAirHead · Post by **MNAirHead** » Tue Nov 18, 2003 10:23 am

Could be a ghetto rigged heating system.

We do this with our Bajas to eliminate heating going through the heater channels.

If you don't need heat -- cut away.

T.

fetasigma · Post by **fetasigma** » Tue Nov 18, 2003 11:57 am

so how would you use this to rig up heat? might be helpfull soon....just run a normal type of tubing from the fan shroud to this. i was thinking thats what this might be for since this car never did have a heating system......

Mattt · Post by **Mattt** » Thu Nov 20, 2003 1:08 am

Those pipes coming thru the body are for fresh air heater in the Thing without the gas heater. If your Thing didnt come with the gas heater, then it more than likely came with fresh air heat. Heater boxes on engine, connecting to plastic tubes that hooked up to those pipes coming thru body. That system brought fresh air heat into pass. compartment

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Thu Nov 20, 2003 9:35 am

Feta Matt is right. Your Thing is a 74 and as such was delivered to the US with fresh air heat. The fresh air is driven from the fan exiting through the shroud and into the heater boxes and finally to the body via bellows. It is sufficient in warmer climates where the majority of 181s were marketed.
That being said, if you should happen upon a deal on a functioning gas heater by all means purchase and install it. It is worth its weight in gold. Thanks for being here and best of luck. Bob Ingman

Advokat · Post by **Advokat** » Thu Nov 20, 2003 5:05 pm

Not to try to hijack this thread, but I spoke with Ark Mirvis (aka: heaterman) yesterday. I was trying to get some prices for refurbishing, purchasing a heater from him, etc.

While I have heard others say he was a sort of "abrupt" guy, I can only say that he spent at least 20 minutes on the phone with me and it was I that actually ended the call because I felt guilty for taking up so much of his time. He was very friendly and was literally happy to speak with me all about his heaters and what he does with them, etc.

That guy knows so much about those gasoline fired heaters that he could literally write a book.

Anyway, I just now need to figure out a way to come up with the scratch to get one of his heaters.

Later,
Rick

Bob Ingman · Post by **Bob Ingman** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 11:08 am

Rick I have to agree with you about Ark (Heaterman). He has always been very helpful and willing to share knowlege with me.
I do frequently see gas heaters selling in the $150-$200 range. Best to keep an eye out on the various boards. Good luck. Bob Ingman

Advokat · Post by **Advokat** » Fri Nov 21, 2003 6:38 pm

I've been watching those boards, Bob. Ark was pretty adamant to watch out for those because while they may look nice and shiney on the outside, they are trashed on the inside. I think his point was that unless you can find a good, running one-it's probably better to get one of his. Then buying an unknown is avoided altogether and one doesn't pay more to ship it to him and have it rebuilt first.

I don't know, it's just so expensive and my Thing needs LOTS of other stuff to be done to it. I guess that's why this is an expensive past time-it will probably never be truly finished.

Well, not to belabor the whole thing but it is nice to see you- even if it is only over here. I hope you come back soon.

Take care,
Rick