Hot Rods Help with 29 Model A Sedan heater.

Hello, I am building a '29 Model A sedan. This model for me is beautiful and struck a chord in me a looong time ago. This car is a dream (trying to become reality) for me actually. It is on a Riley chassis with dropped SB front axle, a John's Ford 9", a '58 283, turbo 350, and...little else. An older gentleman Bob Christensen put a really nice floor in for me as well. I want MY hands now, to finish this car. I need a heater here in Colorado. (..many other things of course and going OK there but far from an expert.) I purchased a Vintage Air "Compac Heater Kit", model 50515-VUH. Seems a lot for a smaller price. I was sure it would fit. (brain cramp apparently) I see clearly now the cowl~fuel tank is in the way. It is not going to fit (*and this heater is small!) without cutting the tank. I don't believe the tank (cowl) will be used by me and plan to use another tank slung low in the rear or inside in the rear. I'll do my homework there of course. Now that I have set the stage, do any of you think I should cut the cowl\tank so as to have the room to attach the heater to the firewall or replace the cowl without a tank if that is possible...? I am open to advice and that is certain. Thank you, robert

 

I used a stock tank, In my '29 tudor, with chev V-8. with this heater/defrtr. I screwed a snout on it for defroster, that was 50 yrs ago. @ $125.00 now they are $148 FROM A FORK TRUCK.

 

Robert, I'm putting a heater/air conditioner under my dash. I want to keep my gas cap so I can have it chromed. I swapped a good tank for a rusted one and kept only the gas cap. This gave me the room I needed. I'm going to install a 327 which prompted me to get a recessed cowl. Bob

 

For Air I tilted open front window and rolled rear side windows down,
HENRY FORD A/C, good enuff for me and my pals..

 

If you have a GOOD gas tank, DON'T cut it up- they're getting EXPENSIVE! Get one with a rusted out bottom and cut that one up. I've done it on a couple of A's. If you do this, you can build an angle iron frame to support the dash, steering column drop, and have an easily accessible way to put in your fuse panel and work on your instrumentation. ( standing up, not on your head with a flashlight in your mouth working around the pedals and steering column!) You should still have tons of room for a heater.

 

If you are not going to use the cowl tank then why wouldn't you cut it, especially if you need the room for other things like wiring, gauges and of course the heater.


I am actually going a different route for heat in my old heap, my mill sits under the cowl quite a bit and my windshield opens or will when I am done so I am louvering the cowl and using engine heat to warm the cabin.

 

1 reason; they stopped making them 85 years ago- TOPS are re-popped (junk), NOT tanks.

There's plenty of them out there that have solid tops, but were left on the ground, with the gas cap off ,and filled with water ( and chipmunks and acorns). Top good, bottom junk.

SIDE NOTE;
Chipmunks are good roasted over an open fire ,with acorn stuffing and a light Zinfandel.