As some of u maybe aware, I purchased a part finished '51 Bradford Van. It is road worthy.
It is now winter, and Bradfords do not have a heater.
I need to invent one and require a little advise.

I was thinking of replacing a 3 to 4 ft section of the 1" exhaust pipe with a bigger version of cooling copper pipe like in the back of refridgerators...the stuff that has those wrinkled cooling fins around it.
Question: Exhaust pipes where never made of copper..I understand the linier expansion issue...is there any other reason why?

Around this copper section in the exhaust pipe Im putting a 2 or 3" diameter pipe, open at the front, blocked off at the rear. From the rear take off a couple of pipes and duct this to under the bench seat to flow warm air around the feet.

Do u think it would work, or see any problems?

Before anyone asks.. "why not pipe off from the water cooling system?"...It is a thermo syphon system...no water pump.

i think an easier solution would be to add a small electric pump to the cooling system and add a normal style heater

back when i worked at a boat dealer we had to add these small pumps to get the coolant from the heater in the back of the boat to the heater by the driver and back again...

I cant...the cooling system has no water pump, it works on convection...also in the system is a sort of a bellows non return valve. I cant take water from the engine out let, as any pump I use is going to hold the non return valve open...
If take off one of the bottom radiator to engine intakes, this reduces the pressure on the other intake causing a lack of water circulation to that side of the engine. (Boxer engine)
These are so reilble systems, there is no need for a temp guage!!!
I have still to establish what sort of pressure it runs at, but it does have a brass screw on cap, with no vent in it..
So an elecric pump may have to take large pressures on the seals
To much to go wrong..

Hence the Exhaust Choice.

Around this copper section in the exhaust pipe Im putting a 2 or 3" diameter pipe, open at the front, blocked off at the rear. From the rear take off a couple of pipes and duct this to under the bench seat to flow warm air around the feet.

Do u think it would work, or see any problems?


Is the entrance to the outer pipe in a high pressure area? Can you add an electric blower to the circuit to keep the heat on while you're stopped?

Is the entrance to the outer pipe in a high pressure area?
yes
Around this copper section in the exhaust pipe Im putting a 2 or 3" diameter pipe, open at the front, blocked off at the rear. From the rear take off a couple of pipes and duct this to under the bench seat to flow warm air around the feet.QUOTE]
[QUOTE]Can you add an electric blower to the circuit to keep the heat on while you're stopped?
Yes. I basically have that sorted. 1 or 2 12v heavy duty fans per air duct, similar to a computer case cooling fan. 2 mounted at the base of the bench seat. and another pair (if 1 proves inadequate) where the ductings come thru the floor.