Heater location

[Ted G]

I am getting ready to set up my FFR supplied heater. The heater is supplied by Vintage Air and looks like pretty good quality. My question is, has anyone changed the location of the heater? I am considering moving it closer to the passenger side; FFR suggests that it should be 6 5/16" away from the edge of the standard firewall. I have a Breeze Forward Firewall and I think I can move it about 3 or even 4 inches closer to the passenger door. Thoughts?

My reason for this is I am trying to have the engine bay as bare a possible, but I really want a heater. Has anyone done this? I've seen boxes made to push the unit outward, but I don't think I need that, even with a glove box.

Thanks for your info and pictures would be great too!

Ted

[Ducky2009]

Are you installing wipers? The wipers can be pushed out until they are almost touching the 3/4" frame rail. Can't move it much. Without wipers, think about the heater venting tubes under the dash. How mush room do you need?

Heater & Wipers - https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/album.php?albumid=1083&attachmentid=105416

I made a box to extend the heater into the engine bay. Note: The inside (under the dash) part of the heater is larger than the engine compartment part. The opening shown is approx. size of the dash side heater component, so you won't be able to move much more outboard. I moved it outward as far as possible.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/album.php?albumid=1083&attachmentid=65774

Leave enough room to install the bulb seal at the top, to seal to the body.

[Ted G]

Are you installing wipers? The wipers can be pushed out until they are almost touching the 3/4" frame rail. Can't move it much. Without wipers, think about the heater venting tubes under the dash. How mush room do you need?

Heater & Wipers - https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/album.php?albumid=1083&attachmentid=105416

I made a box to extend the heater into the engine bay. Note: The inside (under the dash) part of the heater is larger than the engine compartment part. The opening shown is approx. size of the dash side heater component, so you won't be able to move much more outboard. I moved it outward as far as possible.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/album.php?albumid=1083&attachmentid=65774

Leave enough room to install the bulb seal at the top, to seal to the body.

Thanks David.... no wipers for me. And yes, after working on a mock up, I really can't move it due to the top of the inside part rising up about 1" and likely rubbing against the body. I guess, it goes where it goes. I like your bump-out mod, I don't think I'll need that with the forward firewall. I just may need to make my glove box a tad smaller.

Ted

[Fixit]

Word of warning... double check/verify that the supplied hole template is accurate. In my case the larger holes for the coolant tubes were wrong on the template. Measure twice, cut once!

168440

[Jrmotorsports55]

I have a slightly different heater unit but you can check out my vids to see what I did. It is on the passenger side, out of the way as much as possible.

[CaptB]

Word of warning... double check/verify that the supplied hole template is accurate. In my case the larger holes for the coolant tubes were wrong on the template. Measure twice, cut once!

168440

AGREE WITH THIS. The screw holes were off when I checked them before drilling. What I didn't do was check the round heater hose connects. It worked because the grommet covered the off center so whew! But, any cut or drill needs to be verified with the actual unit first.

[Ducky2009]

Thanks David.... no wipers for me. And yes, after working on a mock up, I really can't move it due to the top of the inside part rising up about 1" and likely rubbing against the body. I guess, it goes where it goes. I like your bump-out mod, I don't think I'll need that with the forward firewall. I just may need to make my glove box a tad smaller.

Ted

Ted,
I didn't know about forward firewalls when I built mine, so I made the bump out so I could have a glovebox too. Had to make the glovebox myself. Only 4" deep, but enough to hold a little.
David

[BadAsp427]

I did the heater as well as the glove box. I have the FFR vinyl dash. This LINK (https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?29472-Carl-s-20th-Anniversary-8690-Graduated-12-000-miles&p=340157&viewfull=1#post340157)to my build thread shows how I modified the glove box. I do not have the firewall forward option.