144 heater box

jrhendo

Has anybody replaced the 144 heater box with something smaller/lighter?

A reason for the question. I want to try and lose some weight in the rally car. I need to get under the dash anyway to fix the vacuum controls on the air vents (1974 model) plus repair or replace the fan. So this seems a good time to think laterally.

ramrod

Morning J

Two words: gymnasium membership/personal trainer.

Works out cheaper than expensive lightweight parts for the race car, and doubles as meditation/improved health/better well being

In other words better for you and your future and for the car.

I should become a PT myself

jrhendo

I hear you Sam!

Major Ledfoot

Most of the weight in them is in the heater core and the fan motor.

The old reliable Electrolux multi-winding motor isn't as lightweight as the later permanent magnet stuff which needs a resistor.

The black plastic sides and grey plastic 240 MCOMBU housings might be a wee bit lighter than the 140/164 white bakelite ones, but my guess is there won't be much in it.

I've never seen a UCOMBU heater box in a car in Australia, so I dunno if it's any lighter than the MCOMBU box without an air conditioning evaporator. The fan motor sits in a different place (higher) but AFAIK it's physically smaller.

The later 88+ 240 MCOMBU control panel (with fan switch and buttons, etc) is made of plastic while the 140/164 unit is diecast, so there may be a little bit there.