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Snail Blower Air Inlet Valve
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2024 11:29 am
by gs.davies
Does anyone have any detailed pics of the inlet valve for the snail blower type heater? Interested in how it attaches to the front panel, how the valve control is oriented and if it's a straight or angled tube. Is any kind of filtration fitted or does it just hoover up whatever detritus finds its way in?
I am wondering if one can be salvaged from a Midget heater box..
Re: Snail Blower Air Inlet Valve
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2024 3:26 pm
by woodypup59
I had one years ago. The inlet was probably 3 in diameter and screwed to the grille aperture. It had a mesh grille on the front . It must have had a flap valve in it because I remember the extra control knob in the cabin.
It might be shown in the right AKD parts manual.
Re: Snail Blower Air Inlet Valve
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2024 4:57 pm
by 360gts
gs.davies wrote: ↑Wed Nov 20, 2024 11:29 am
Does anyone have any detailed pics of the inlet valve for the snail blower type heater? Interested in how it attaches to the front panel, how the valve control is oriented and if it's a straight or angled tube. Is any kind of filtration fitted or does it just hoover up whatever detritus finds its way in?
I am wondering if one can be salvaged from a Midget heater box..
It's possible...bit of work. The angle is wrong at the front where it attaches to the front panel.
You will need to reshape the front area.....this will shorten the tube. I have done it.....once in place...no one can tell the difference.
I cut the flange off....leave about 1/4" of the tube on the flange....this will help align the flange back onto the tube when you have made a new angle on the tube.
Braze/weld the flange back on....this is what it looks like when finished. Held on with two self tappers...and yes, it just sucks in whatever is in the way.
FYI, the seal for the flap valve is available from Somerford.
Re: Snail Blower Air Inlet Valve
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2024 4:59 pm
by 360gts
double posted...apologies.
Re: Snail Blower Air Inlet Valve
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2024 5:44 pm
by gs.davies
360gts wrote: ↑Wed Nov 20, 2024 4:57 pm
gs.davies wrote: ↑Wed Nov 20, 2024 11:29 am
Does anyone have any detailed pics of the inlet valve for the snail blower type heater? Interested in how it attaches to the front panel, how the valve control is oriented and if it's a straight or angled tube. Is any kind of filtration fitted or does it just hoover up whatever detritus finds its way in?
I am wondering if one can be salvaged from a Midget heater box..
It's possible...bit of work. The angle is wrong at the front where it attaches to the front panel.
You will need to reshape the front area.....this will shorten the tube. I have done it.....once in place...no one can tell the difference.
I cut the flange off....leave about 1/4" of the tube on the flange....this will help align the flange back onto the tube when you have made a new angle on the tube.
Braze/weld the flange back on....this is what it looks like when finished. Held on with two self tappers...and yes, it just sucks in whatever is in the way.
FYI, the seal for the flap valve is available from Somerford.
Great stuff, I thought the angles looked a bit off on the Midget heater box. How does it eventually align on the Mini? Is it perpendicular to the inner wing and does it curve upwards to the blower inlet? Wondering how it also doesn't fill itself up with water driving in the rain..
Re: Snail Blower Air Inlet Valve
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2024 1:35 am
by 360gts
gs.davies wrote: ↑Wed Nov 20, 2024 5:44 pm
360gts wrote: ↑Wed Nov 20, 2024 4:57 pm
gs.davies wrote: ↑Wed Nov 20, 2024 11:29 am
Does anyone have any detailed pics of the inlet valve for the snail blower type heater? Interested in how it attaches to the front panel, how the valve control is oriented and if it's a straight or angled tube. Is any kind of filtration fitted or does it just hoover up whatever detritus finds its way in?
I am wondering if one can be salvaged from a Midget heater box..
It's possible...bit of work. The angle is wrong at the front where it attaches to the front panel.
You will need to reshape the front area.....this will shorten the tube. I have done it.....once in place...no one can tell the difference.
I cut the flange off....leave about 1/4" of the tube on the flange....this will help align the flange back onto the tube when you have made a new angle on the tube.
Braze/weld the flange back on....this is what it looks like when finished. Held on with two self tappers...and yes, it just sucks in whatever is in the way.
FYI, the seal for the flap valve is available from Somerford.
Great stuff, I thought the angles looked a bit off on the Midget heater box. How does it eventually align on the Mini? Is it perpendicular to the inner wing and does it curve upwards to the blower inlet? Wondering how it also doesn't fill itself up with water driving in the rain..
The original tube does lay parallel to the wing and is very slightly pointing upwards.
After cutting and forming this MG tube (oops...almost called it a MIDGE
T) ...I got it fairly close to being parallel.....doesn't matter all that much.
Remember, the more angle you put on the front of the tube means the flange will be smaller than the angled opening...so, it is a compromise.
Hope this makes sense.
Cheers
D
T) ...I got it fairly close to being parallel.....doesn't matter all that much.