My latest terrible idea

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ned_

Active Member
Posts
129
Location
Ireland
I managed to spend all 2 weeks of my holidays installing a diesel heater into the engine bay.



It isnt finished yet. It's taking me much time to make the installation safe.
Please don't come at me like its unsafe, I just wasted a month of my life trying to make it safe.
Ive hacked away must of the wheel arch liner and replaced it with steel, and also hacked away lots of the sound proofing in that area.|

I hear cries of - why?.... - well, because want to us this car as a camper. Simples.



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I also cut a hole in the floor to access the diesel system, I'm very glad I did: in the red spares car the pump was in a horrific state, in my good blue car the pump was pristine, really remarkable

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Cut a larger patch from the red car and then a very precise patch from the good blue car, i intend to pop rivet the patch down when I'm done adding the filters etc.

131383229_10159048340986763_3705541823352849383_o.jpg


you can see the fuel line for the diesel heater in this pic

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I first read for a few days, and then I went ahead and bought a Delphi HDF496 as my main filter, and I'm also adding 30 micron pre-filter with a sight bowl, a Parker / Racor Snapp filter, which is a really interesting piece of kit - would you believe, when its time to change the filter, you throw away the main body, get a new main body and fit it into the re-usable bracket. odd.


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So thats it for now, hope you all are well!

I'm Irish BTW not sure if you all realize that. Brexit kicked in last night - I've always had great / superb / magnificent relations with you British folk, on t'internet, you all are great for a bit of banter.


I hope that continues and we all fare well going into the future.

Happy new year to all )
 
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Hi Freelance, I edited the test in the post above, I need the heater when using the car to sleep in, as a camper.
 
Hi Mark, the swap stalled, I spent a LOT of money buying the parts, and then I realised the red P38 was a can of worms, a nightmare, so I bought a different P38, blue, and this time I got it right.

The M51 engine in the blue P38 is positively youthful - which is why I'm adding the filters - to keep it youthful. The chassis is much better, worth putting time into.
Generally this car looks like it will last, I sure hope it does.


upload_2021-1-1_12-32-5.png
 
I wuould say that green fuel line is not right for the job, needs to be 4mm OD nylon pipe (any colour but needs to be hard) joined by short pieces of 3.2mm id rubber hose with small hose clip on every joint.
You also still have air in the fuel lines, though this may clear but can cause running issues, or even fuel/air lock.
Cannot see end of exhaust pipe, but should have a small finisher with a cross piece to stop vermin getting up inside.
You can get little rubber mounts for the pump which nicely damp the clicking

Ps set of Hurricanes will make the 38 look top class.
 
Hi Lynall )

The green fuel line came with the heater.

You are listening to the video and remarking that it sounds like there may still be air in the system - i think -

first off thanks! I need all the help I can get.

Secondly, thats okay, it was test run to get the chimney as hot as possible.

I dont think I ran it for long enough, I have realised that with this heater, heat accumulates over time, its really interesting.

Here is my chimney:

upload_2021-1-1_13-7-6.png


Its actually scaffolding uprights - they have very thick walled steel.

I bought motorcycle exhaust wrap, and wrapped the diesel heater exhaust.
Then I cut the scaffolding upright into segments, and welded the segments around the exhaust, and then finally I wrapped the the outer shell.

On the next run, I'll run it for 30 mins and see what the temps are then.

Lastly, regarding the wheels, the blue car had Hurricanes on when I bought it, I went out and changed them for the 16s you see above.
I want the car to look as old as possible. I think those 16's I have on now hark back to the original Range Rover from the 70's. They are reaching back in time. I like that.

I guess its all down to personal taste.
 
Cheers bud )

yes takes conviction to cut up something that's perfect with an grinder grinder. It's not easy! I dad to cut that fuel hatch though. I'm so glad I did.

In other news:

I bought the crank position sensor, but didn't fit it yet. Will do that as soon as I get the wheel arch patched up.

I fitted the new regulator to the alternator, to boost up the voltage, hopefully that cures a few more faults when I start it back up again.

I disabled the immobilizer - made it a totally different car. Not as scary anymore.
I can disconnect battery with reckless abandon now, and I do. Best modification so far.
 
Hi Lynall )

The green fuel line came with the heater.

You are listening to the video and remarking that it sounds like there may still be air in the system - i think -

first off thanks! I need all the help I can get.

Secondly, thats okay, it was test run to get the chimney as hot as possible.

I dont think I ran it for long enough, I have realised that with this heater, heat accumulates over time, its really interesting.

Here is my chimney:

View attachment 226636

Its actually scaffolding uprights - they have very thick walled steel.

I bought motorcycle exhaust wrap, and wrapped the diesel heater exhaust.
Then I cut the scaffolding upright into segments, and welded the segments around the exhaust, and then finally I wrapped the the outer shell.

On the next run, I'll run it for 30 mins and see what the temps are then.

Lastly, regarding the wheels, the blue car had Hurricanes on when I bought it, I went out and changed them for the 16s you see above.
I want the car to look as old as possible. I think those 16's I have on now hark back to the original Range Rover from the 70's. They are reaching back in time. I like that.

I guess its all down to personal taste.
Did you check the installation specification for the heater? From memory there is a maximum length for the exhaust and the outlet tubing if fitted.
 
Did you check the installation specification for the heater? From memory there is a maximum length for the exhaust and the outlet tubing if fitted.

I think rough rule was exhaust and inlet pipe should be the same ish length, but D3 has very short inlet pipe and quite a long ex pipe, my boat has no inlet pipe at all and a 2 metre ex pipe!
 
Hi Lynall )

The green fuel line came with the heater.

You are listening to the video and remarking that it sounds like there may still be air in the system - i think -

first off thanks! I need all the help I can get.

Secondly, thats okay, it was test run to get the chimney as hot as possible.

I dont think I ran it for long enough, I have realised that with this heater, heat accumulates over time, its really interesting.

Here is my chimney:

View attachment 226636

Its actually scaffolding uprights - they have very thick walled steel.

I bought motorcycle exhaust wrap, and wrapped the diesel heater exhaust.
Then I cut the scaffolding upright into segments, and welded the segments around the exhaust, and then finally I wrapped the the outer shell.

On the next run, I'll run it for 30 mins and see what the temps are then.

Lastly, regarding the wheels, the blue car had Hurricanes on when I bought it, I went out and changed them for the 16s you see above.
I want the car to look as old as possible. I think those 16's I have on now hark back to the original Range Rover from the 70's. They are reaching back in time. I like that.

I guess its all down to personal taste.


I could see the air bubbles in the green pipe in your video.
Defo change that fuel pipe for 4mm 0D nylon.

Most of the heaters have a recommended minimum 30 min run tme, again that is flexible, but to many short runs (ie hundred not dozens of time) will coke up the burner assy, they are like diesel engines, look after them but work them hard and they will last well.

The boat forums (especially the canal ones) are useful for info, I think there are also various facebook pages as well.
 
Could have fitted one of these self contained units & built a box round it & covered it in acoustic
carpet to match the boot. Could have been done so it can be removed when not needed.
I fitted one in my dads camper & ive got one for my camping trailer.
Nice job though. ;)
s-l1600.jpg
 
Hi Ned my father in law and family come from Dublin so got nowt against the Irish, infact a dam laugh at times so carry on my friend and pleased to meet you:)
 
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