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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MG Y Type - Heater unit required

Can anyone recommend a compact recirculatory type heater unit for the YA that definately fits within the limited space available + can offer any assistance on the simplest/best method of fitting.

Either new units (without breaking the bank!) or readily available used designs would be of interest. I am thinking of something similar to the early Smiths units, which appear almost impossible to source. Have seen designs from the likes of Holdens but at £200+ seem a little over the top for what is required.

I know a number of you have heaters fitted to your Y's (jealous!) and would therefore be grateful for your advice and knowledge.

Regards,

Ken
Ken Jones

Ken

Many years ago, maybe 30, I fitted a heater to my YT. It was a flat unit oniy a couple of inches high (+ fan motor) that I put under the driver's seat. It pulled in air from above and blew it out both fore and aft along the floor. Water lines ran under the floorboards. It helped, but I removed it years later when restoring to more closely original. I think I found it at J C Whitney but don't see anything like it there now. Check out www.jcwhitney.com and search on "heater". Go to "A/C, Heating & Ventilation" and then "Auxiliary Heaters" for ideas on what is available. A web search on this topic will probably give additional options.

Good luck. I still have memories of giving my father a ride to China Lake here in California (high desert) in the Y with the top up and it was 17 deg F outside. He got a bit cold.

Larry
49 YT
Lawrence Hallanger

Ken: My YT had a north american after market heater fitted when I got it in 1956. Problem was that it took a lot of the leg room from the front seat passenger and it was never very effective, so I didn't put it back when I rebuilt the car in the 1970s. I still have it though.
There is a wrecking yard here in Vancouver that has quite a number of Smiths heaters of the design as fitted to the saloon in the UK. Don't know what they came out of but not Y saloons as none were sold here. Many are grungy but I have it on my to do list to go by someday with the car and see if I can find one that works and will fit under the battery box as per the photo in LTBYs. If they are here they must also be in the UK.
You might also take a look at the BBS archives for the TD/TF under heater. There is a chap there from Calif. who has fitted a heater from the Mini.I checked out on the web what is available from Minimania and they look like they would work.Now a few years ago so can't remember the cost. Terry
Terry O'Brien

Just a quick thank you to the above, and particularly to Ted Gardner who has sent some great photos and comments following his YB heater installation. The info is very gratefully received. Sources for the Smiths Universal unit would still be gratefully received, or does anyone have, or know of, a unit for sale?

Cheers

Ken
Ken Jones

Ken,

When I rebuilt my YB a few years ago,I installed a heater of the Smiths variety. This is the type shown in David Lawrence's book, "Let there be 'Y's" on page 76. It is approx 8 1/4 " diameter and 7" deep. It is one of the Model R200 series and obviously 12 volt. I see them at autojumles fairly frequently, but in various conditions and price range. I'm off to a "jumble" tomorrow, would you like me to try and find you a decent one. Email me with you telephone number and I'll ring you for a chat about it asap.
Good luck,
Keith
keith22

Search the Morris Minor web-sites. This is a small smith heater that fits neatly under the dash. ( Note, NOT the Morris 1000 one, the Morris Series MM and Series Two- looks like a Morris 1000 but a smaller engine, 1947-1956.) These were also fitted to Ford's of the same era.

Neil.
Neil Cairns

Just a note to say thanks to those who have contacted me with advice, photos, sketches, etc. on this subject.... especially Keith for the additional phone calls... and ultimately to Chris at East Sussex Minors (as in Morris Minors), a very helpful chap indeed who is supplying me a really nice Smiths Bakelite round heater unit + brass union.... the Y web site helped me yet again! Cheers, Ken.
Ken Jones

This thread was discussed between 23/01/2003 and 30/01/2003

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