The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Southwind Heater

Anyone ever heard of a Stewart Warner Southwind auto heater? I found one and thought it would look neat in my 53 3800 panel. It is a gas heater and very deco looking. The guy wanted $45.00 for it and while it looks VERY clean and unrusted I didn't know if this was something worth fooling with. It supposedly is a 1940 model but I thought "what the heck.." Any opinions? Thanks.

I've had several Southwind heaters in my old VWs over the years, both bugs and micro buses. These heaters when running good and hooked up properly will heat like hell!!! A poorly running heater will emit soot that will make a mess, not to mention your personal health. Hemmings Motor News has in the past had a vendor or vendors who tune, repair, restore these heaters. Good luck!

I've worked on Southwind heaters in light twin airplanes, and there are a few things you should look at. Basically if you plan on actually using it as a heater, you need to do a leakdown test on the combustion can. The outside may be shiny but if your burner can has holes in it, you are going to be breathing a lot of carbon monoxide when its on. I don't know all whats included in the one you are looking at, but the ones I'm familiar with have an associated fuel pump and fan. Also you might want to check on the price and availability of the igniter (a glorified sparkplug).

I remember them back when I was a kid. They were very troubolsome. My dad had to pull it out every season & send it out for repairs. The heat was very hot but it was isolated to the area around the heater. I wouldn,t use one unless you wanted nostalgic effect or ahot water heater would not work in the vehicle.

How do those "GAS" heaters work??? Do you run another pump or feed off engine fuel line? Do they need a "chimney" or exit for the burnt fuel exhaust? Is the flame really open? I would think these would be a horribly unsafe thing to have in car. Hard stop, accident, rollover would maybe spill gas? Pump would pump more fuel on the inside of car to feed a fire if it happened? Gives me the creeps to think of a burning gas fire inside the vehicle.

I wouldn't mess with it - if you are patient, you can get a restorable factory fresh-air heater for a decent price at a swap meet, or on eBay. Less chance of inhaling a bunch of CO.

Black, do yourself and the rest of the world a favor and get that idea out of your head. These heaters have been around for a long time. Too long in my estimation. They were big in VWs and aircraft. This is the type of heater that malfuntioned in a DC 3 aircraft, causing it to crash killing Ricky Nelson. And several other people. They are an open flame. They do have a fuel pump and a fan. To say they are dangerous is a huge understatement. If you have one that is in good shape, donate it to a museum. Some one gave me one a few years ago. It was trashed the same day. Mike

I had one about 50 years ago. I never did get it to work. Took it out and threw it away. Got an old wool blanket and never did get a heater in that old ford.Worked real good at a drive in theater.I married that girl 47 years ago.Still have her.