Quote:
Originally Posted by Afordman31
Many folks believe that the Southwind heater to be a fire hazard. I have one in my 1940 Ford that works very well. I have read many articles on how the heater works and they have a bi-metal band that senses the heat and if the heater was to overheat it would be snuffed out. I really don't see how they could be a fire hazard unless someone make shifted the hookups.
According to the books as I stated before Southwind did not hook them up in the Model A. My books show them used on the down draft carburetor and not on the updraft. Afordman31
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The SW is safe also because it's combustion chamber operates below atmospheric pressure. It uses manifold vacuum to draw in air & fuel, mixes them in its own little carburetor, and uses that vacuum to draw the combustion products into the engine's intake. No fumes in the car that way. If the car's engine is not running, the heater will not work.
It is described in the SW brochure as "inherently safe" and after studying the design, I'm inclined to agree. I have an old one that came with my '41 Hudson sedan, and have mulled over having it restored and putting it back in. (It's very hard to find parts; the guy in Canada seems to have cornered the market, and he only sells complete restored units or restorations of your unit).