Hi

My 1977 PreHE had a 1989 Series 3 HE engine and TH400 transplant in 1996.
AFAIK this requires some work to the PreHE body to give room for the transmission.
I experience a LOT of heat radiating from the centre console, and I wonder if my car is missing some heatshields or insulation mats.

PO had mounted a small thermometre on top of the console in frontof the gear lever. I saw +50°C indication yesterday during a long drive in 27°C ambient. Thats +122F and 80F in US currency.
I have no A/C for now, and working A/C will of course help, but the heat radiation will still be present.

Any comments on how the insulation is supposed to be ?

 

Leo
There is a huge moulded woodchip heatshield in the engine bay/bulkhead area that extends back into the tunnel, do you have this? The grey piece in the photo
Also, under the console, on the inside is thick felt-like sound and heat insulation.
If your aircon is not working, have you manually kept the heater valve closed? If not you will get significant heatsoak from the heater core
Worth removing the console and also checking for holes, bare patches of body etc.
Greg

 

Thanks a lot Greg

I don't know yet what I have regarding this insulation, but now I at least know what and where I have look.
I honestly suspect it to be missing more or less completely. Denmark is generally a cold place, and A/C has been working with R12 until last year. As R12 is absolutely banned in Europe I had to go for A/C flushing and filling with R134a and new oil. This happens Wednesday, so I think I will live with the heat from the heater core. My supposed-to-be cold air is actually surprisingly warm when A/C is not working. My guess is around 40°C

BR Leo

 

In that tunnel, above the transmission WAS, a foam insulation "pad", about 40mm thick.

Long degraded and fell out on many cars now.

Mine was sitting on the transmission itself.

When the engine was out, I located some 21st century insulation material, custom body builders use it om Limo's and the like, and a sheet of THIN aluminium, about a metre square.

Glued the material to the hump underside, and then cut/shaped/persuaded that sheet to "pop" into the tunnel, thus covering that material, and providing a smooth surface for the exit air from the engine bay.

HUGE difference to the inside temps in that area.

 

Thanks Grant

I have already added the task on the next-time-I-have-the-engine-out list...
It's for sure good to have some tips on how to do the job, and the thin alu sheet idea is actually great.

BR Leo

 

 

Leo
I would remove the console and look what is under there. Also, block off the hot water feed to the heater (either using the water valve or by blocking the in and out pipes to it) and see what that does.
Before doing anything drastic I mean!

 

Yeh, BUT,

Taking the engine out is easy, so why not, drinks on hand, 4 hours, OUT.

You know you really want to do it, and permission of the Forum is now given.

Maybe I need a drink, oops.