Negative......using a heat plate with 2 orifices and 2 copper tubes running to the exhaust headers is the quickest and safest way to heat the H/W manifold. I've been using this system for the past 14K miles on my 235 powered 54 truck. Regardless of where you operate your engine the intake needs to be heated.....especially with the ethanol (crap) enhanced fuels.
No special "valving" is needed as the firing order of the 235 provides the differential needed for efficient exhaust heating. The other "option" is to use water heat which is slower, less efficient and if you have a leak you can be sitting beside the road waiting for a rollback. Check out the pics of my heat system in my Webshots albums. I used compression fittings, bent the tubing by hand and haven't touched it since day one.
Langdon's heat plate has the fittings correctly located and is worth the money. He is an advocate of water heat while I prefer the exhaust heat for the reasons I've stated above. It's your call.....
Dave
Dave
