Technical Heater for a '53 merc question

I have a 1953 mercury monterey and I am running the original flathead in it, I'm curious if I should run a heater in if or not? I plan on driving the car alot when its done even in winter but I'm not gonna be driving it in extreme cold weather. So I'm just curious if it would be a pro or a con for the flathead to run without a heater for the car? Thanks

 

All I could think of is you get a little extra coolant with one.

 

Why NOT run the heater ??

 

It seems rather silly that you would have to ask someone else if you should run a heater. Mercury had heaters from the factory in 1953 and they performed quite well. If the engine and cooling system are in good shape, a heater Will make no difference to engine operation. Your choice is to decide if you want to be warm or freeze. If you want to be warm,run a heater. If you want to freeze, buy a coat and gloves and deal with Mother nature.

 

The reason I was asking was mainly since flathead were notorious for overheating I wasn't sure if running a heater would help with or cause it to overheat, or if it wouldn't effect it at all. I was planning on running a heater since its there I just wanted to ask my question for peoples opinion

 

The heater system adds capacity for coolant in the system. However, unless the heater control valve is "on", meaning coolant is circulating, that extra capacity has no effect on the engine temp. And, the most likely time for it to be "on" is during cooler weather when the engine is less likely to run hot anyway.

Having an operational heater/defroster in most vehicles simply makes it more versatile and comfortable......and potentially safer........as it not only provides warmth for occupants, but keeps the windows from fogging up.

Ray

 

Even if you do not drive in very cold weather sometimes the windshield will need to be defogged,I had to use the defrost in the morning when I was in Daytona Beach last november when it was way above freezing.

 

Rode along with a buddy when he towed his race rig a couple of seasons, we had a few long and tough to pull "heater hills" along the route. Had to turn on the heater full bore and it was just enough to get over the top without cooking the well used 318 in the tow rig which had some boarder line cooling issues. Not so bad for the Spring and Fall meets, Summer meets not pleasant even with the windows wide open but got us there and back, better than sitting home and missing meets for lack of a tow rig.

Ed