The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Heat riser or heat drifter??

perhaps amongst all of us we could gather some information on the various intake heating methods. I.E. using infrared thermometers everyone could measure the temp of the intake at a given spot. For example, once I get my new radiator in I could provide the temp on a water heated intake, and so on for other people. I am not so certain the engineers designed the exhaust heat/flapper system because it was the absolute best. As with pretty much anything, accountants "design" the machines the engineers just make it work. The beauty of the exhaust heat/flapper was it was extremely cheap to build, and if it failed it would most likely fail in the "heat off" position and like me, most people would not even be aware that anything had occurred. And I have driven it in 10-15° below weather and noticed no inconsistencies. I do know that I don't know the optimum temperature to run an intake mixture. But I do know the water heat made an incredible difference in the heat of the intake directly under the carb, and started heating in just a couple of minutes (at least the way I have it plumbed in) whether or not it is the "best" temperature I don't know. However Tom Langdon if I am not mistaken was actually an engineer at GM at one time and would/should know, and he recommends water heat. That being said, there are other methods that seem to work, at least satisfactorily. (meaning there isn't one CORRECT answer)