Thinking about putting in one of the compact heaters from BTB.
Anyone used one? or hear any reports on them?

Sixgun in SeaTac has one ....he said it roasts his a$$, he will be back @ home Sat, Pm him.

I got a heater from Napa for $130 and it is hot as hell too. Ask for AAA discount.

Dan

I got the BTB heater (Vintage Air) for x-mas 2 years ago. It puts off plenty of heat and does not take up any room under the hood. My only complaint is the units heating vent and switch for coolent flow into the heater core are both vaccum actuated. I prefer a manual switch.

Just my thoughts.

Originally posted by Dan
I got a heater from Napa for $130 and it is hot as hell too. Ask for AARP discount.

Dan

Really?

Originally posted by Dan
I got a heater from Napa for $130 and it is hot as hell too. Ask for AAA discount.

Dan
Dan:

Whats the model/part number? I hate going in to an auto parts store saying "I want to buy a heater, but I dont know what the application is. Thanks, Andy

Andy -

I just hate having to go into Napa for anything. They make buying the simplest part a ritualistic ordeal. My last trip went something like this:

I walk into Napa and greet the guy behind the counter....

Napa Guy (NG): Hi, can I help you
me: Hi - yea I need a pair of valve cover gaskets for a 70's Chvey 350
NG: What is the application?
me: A 70's vintage Chevy 350
NG: What type of vechicle?
me: doesn't matter - all the 350's were the same until the Vortecs - I just need the gaskets
NG: I NEED the type of vechicle
me: {getting irritated} Fine - a 3/4 ton P/U
NG: What year?
me: '76
NG: Make?
me: Toyota
NG: They didn't have 350's - GMC or Chevy?
me: Chevy - but it's in a '74 Toyota now (he, he, he)
NG: was it 2wd or 4wd?
me: I dunno - it's in a 4wd now
NG: 2wd or 4wd
me: {getting evern more irritated} 4wd
NG: auto or manual transmission?
me: WHO CARES?? They are all the same!!!
NG: {losing his patience} auto or manual transmission??
me: manual, and before you ask, it was a Blue/white truck!!
NG: oh - here's the part number
{NG goes in back and gets the gaskets - sets them on the counter}
me: {I pick them up and look at the package and with a completely serious look on my face} These are the wrong ones - says here (pointing to the packaging label) they are for RED Chevy Camero's
NG: Let me see that - I'm sure it was the right part!!!

And that's how I got coordially uninvited to shop at one of the local Napa's. I guess the damn idiot could not understand my humor. I say, "Fawk 'em if they can't take a joke!!!"

Hey Bruce - that is too funny! I have had so many of those conversations in auto parts stores I stuck with one place where the people seem to have common sence (Monument Auto in San Ramon) - my local Napa store is run by full-on morons - even worse, actually - morons who dont care and have attitude to go with it. Got tired of their rudeness - no more business from me. Dans heater sounds like a good deal - the other one I have looked at is in the JC Whitney Cat for $175 - a bit spendy. I might just go scavenging junkyards. Cant have a stocker - the shifter is in the way (too far forward to trim even). Cheers, Andy

PS: regards to Michele and the family

PPS: Ian (COMPLAINE) is at Jr College studying engineering (oh boy!)

if you don't have your radio in the dash, just cut the bottom support out and move the heater up into the radio hole...that's what i had to do. you can see a little bit of it in this picturehttp://albums.photopoint.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=1287226&a=9540307&p=47722992&f=0

The BTB heater is vacuum actuated? Does that require a vacuum line to be run from the engine? How about the one from NAPA?

Originally posted by FJSRULE
if you don't have your radio in the dash, just cut the bottom support out and move the heater up into the radio hole...that's what i had to do. you can see a little bit of it in this picturehttp://albums.photopoint.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=1287226&a=9540307&p=47722992&f=0

from what i can see you have a big red X in your dash!:flipoff2:

send it to me, i'll post it for ya

I want to see the pic too. :D someone please get it and post it :D

if you want to see it, right click on the "X" then go to properties and cut and paste the URL.

Originally posted by 4XForce
The BTB heater is vacuum actuated? Does that require a vacuum line to be run from the engine? How about the one from NAPA?

I have the vintage air a/c and heater unit. It came with the vacuum controlled valve for the heater. I pitched it. You can use your existing valve, you just have to modify the install a bit. The thing that really sucks about using a vacuum valve it that it is binary, it is open or closed. The control you have with a mechanical valve is a lot better setup, you can control the amount of heat you get. I also got rid of all the micro switches they use, total junk.

Originally posted by 71-Cruiser
if you want to see it, right click on the "X" then go to properties and cut and paste the URL.

hope you don't mind me posting this for you.

Originally posted by FJSRULE
if you don't have your radio in the dash, just cut the bottom support out and move the heater up into the radio hole...that's what i had to do.

looks stock to me.....or am i looking at it wrong?

Originally posted by Cruiser Ken


I also got rid of all the micro switches they use, total junk.

Which ones did you do away with and what did you replace them with?

I am going to a VA unit in the spring.

TIA

First, here is how the VA unit works. If the fan is turned on power goes to the micro switches. There is a vane that controls flow from either the vents or the floor/defrost. If it is set to the vents then the A/C is on. If it is set to the floor/defrost then the heat is on (triggers the solenoid that turns applies vacuum to the vacuum valve). If the heat/defrost is on and you select defrost then it trips a micro switch that turns on the A/C compressor to dry the air due to the fact that the VA unit is entirely a recirculation system. It does not pull any outside air. Therefore you need the A/C on with the defrost or your windows will fog up.

Here is how I changed the setup. I used the stock mechanical valve to adjust the heat. I wired the A/C to the stock Fan switch. With this setup I can run heat through the vents if I want. Also, I can turn the A/C compressor on anytime I want not only with the defrost setting so I can help dry out the air if it fogs up. It did require the use of a second vent pull. If you need more specifics email me. I also wired and plumbed my heater so I can run the rear heater completely independently of the front heater.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Cruiser Ken
[B]

I have the vintage air a/c and heater unit.

Does the Vintage Air A/C setup get rid of the blower motor in the engine compartment?

Originally posted by lpwcruzr

Does the Vintage Air A/C setup get rid of the blower motor in the engine compartment? [/B]
allegedly

According to the literature that I have read.
JT Outfitters has the install instruction sheet posted on their site.

Originally posted by lpwcruzr
Does the Vintage Air A/C setup get rid of the blower motor in the engine compartment?

Yes. It is completely gone. They include a piece that covers the hole left in the firewall. I can take a pic if you would like to see it.