Wilib--
I have two trucks, a 235 and a 250 both with original equipment heat risers. The 250 has a tin claptrap affair which is suppose to collect heat from around the exhaust manifold and funnel to the bottom of the intake and carb (crummy and perpetually broken). 250 is very hard starting and rough running with cold weather. When the engine compartment heats up it runs fine but takes about 10 minutes in winter (note I'm in Texas). Conversely, the 235 with original heat riser starts and warms up immediately in all conditions. If I were putting on the new fentons I would be sure to use a heat plate. Importantly the original fentons of 50s vintage had a heat riser and plate built in. Have a friend with new fentons who uses water via heater hoses although he complains of hard starting in winter. I would think that exhaust heat would be quicker on the warmup. Used to be a guy who manufactures heat plates for fentons for either exhaust or water on ebay --might want to check.
