"-15" Rear Heater

I've done it again. I've bought more rear heater unit bits.....Everyone else seems to be trying to find solutions to keep their car cool, and I'm buying things to warm mine up! 

I'd already bought some bits from the US a few years ago. You can read about that HERE.

I couldn't help it this time though. It's a complete rear unit. I saw it advertised on Facebook. The price was good and I knew it wouldn't be available for long. So I dived in. I've already got one but was genuinely on the look out for one for spares.

New acquisition. Looks to be in good condition

The heaters were usually found on UK and Scandinavian cars, but were an option in France and Europe. Hot water is pumped to another matrix at the back of the car and a rear fan unit is used to blow warmed air under the rear seat to the rear passenger footwell and to the rear screen to demist it.

Catalogue 562: rear heater unit parts

The sales option was simply called '-15' and intended for colder territories. The full system included this extra heater PLUS a special radiator chute with a flap in it. This stopped cold air being forced through the radiator. 

'Ferme' and 'overt': flap on the radiator chute

The way it worked was that you closed the flap when you first started the car and it caused the engine to heat up more quickly. So that you had a reminder to open the flap, all cars with the "-15" kit and the radiator flap, had a temperature gauge fitted on the dashboard so that you could monitor engine temperature. You can find more details about the heaters HERE.

When my car was on the road before, there were plenty of occasions I was glad of the rear heater and I'm planning to refit it as part of my restoration.  I've already fitted some parts in the engine bay. The heater I've just bought looks to be very complete and in good shape.

I can't see the two 'counter plates' - the flanges around the bulkhead holes (part 20 in the drawing above). They are right behind the engine  - and sometimes covered by Pallas heat shielding - and so get left behind when the heaters are removed.

Two 'counter plates' screwed to the bulkhead

Also - and not shown in the drawing - the heaters needed a specially shaped rear seat base that made room for pipework and ducting underneath. 

A Special rear seat is shaped to allow room for pipes, hoses and vents

When people remove rear heaters, THATS the bit that tends to get forgotten, or not noticed as being 'special'. I've got the rear seat but if I've now got two heaters, perhaps I need two special rear seats?

A seat isn't included in this purchase, but maybe the seller has that too. If not, someone else has already said they have one for sale. maybe i can buy that and make up a complete second set?First things first though. I've got to make arrangements to get down to Kent to pick this heater up.