Heater core and fan motor

Is there an upgrade for the stock heater core and fan motor for the MGB?
Something that will circulate more air and provide more heat?

You better believe it! My MGA has been a year round daily driver for a while, so I was looking to improve things a bit. My Dad's keen eyes noticed a Midget heater box at a car show.

I've put together the upper heater box and core from a Midget with the lower box/controls from an MGB. The Midget box (and core) is quite a bit thicker, which allowed me to use a standard GM heater motor and impellor (actually from a 1977 Buick Regal). I didn't want to modify my car (just the box), so I used the bottom bits from the MGB.

The end result is that it looks stock unless you're really looking at the width, and it gets hot enough to melt eyeballs in my MGA! Speaking of melting, make sure to install a relay.

Now, I'm trying to figure out how to install something nice to run the motor slower! What a concept for an MGA in Canada...

If that GM fan motor is a 1 wire unit, just get a standard resistor set for it and find a place to mount it, preferably in the airflow. That will give you a 3 speed fan with the right switch.

Jim

Of course you're right Jim. I simply haven't found a 3 position switch to fit invisibly in my MGA dash! The factory switch is actually part of the heater temperature slider, but anything's possible...

Duncan,

My guess is your speaking of a heater system from a later Midget. I don't recall what year these larger units were used but think they were used from 1971-1979.

Clifford,

I don't recall whom but one of the MGB specialty companies offered a larger heater core for the MGB. Before you consider this, remove your heater, valve and motor and rebuild them to start with.

MGB Heater valve:

http://www.mgexperience.net/article/heater-valve.html

http://www.cibolas7.net/12245.html

LOTS of other good stuff:

http://mgaguru.com/mgtech/heater/hr1.htm

http://www.mgb-stuff.org.uk/heatertext.htm


I have not read all the articles but there are some other items that may or may not be listed including installing an electrical relay as there is a voltage drop in the electrical system. If everything was done to clean and renew your heater system with minor improvements, your heater could be good enough to visit us here in MN.


One more thing you may not have considered is that your engine conversion is going to run warmer than the stock motor and far better water flow with the water flowing closer to the water pump. After converting cars to a V6, I often find that the heat coming out is great and the alternators tend to put out about 2 times the amps minimum thus giving better heat. I think the general issue i find is that if anything needs to be upgraded, its flow- the blower motor can still use a boost more than the heater core. Each car and conversion is different.

-BMC.

You need heaters in Alabama? I took mine out...

No I probably don't. But then again I own a coat.