Super 225 Heat Riser Questions

[Craig Smith]

The heat riser on my 1966 Valiant is totally stuck, though I've been able to wrench the flap all the way vertical, and the car runs fine, but the temp gauge (installed by PO) runs up to about 230-240 degrees. When I pull over and open the radiator cover (very carefully) the coolant has no boil over and the cap isn't even very hot. Either I'm getting a false reading or I suspect this is because the riser flap is stuck vertically. I had to pull the manifolds, so I tried to move the riser flap again. It came loose from the mounting pin so put it back this time with the flap immobilized in the horizontal position. Now the car runs fine but at about 155 degrees. I won't be driving the Valiant in the winter so I'm not concerned about warmup time, but I am wondering what the long term effects could be driving with a riser flap stuck horizontally . Any thoughts?

 

[Dantra]

Won't be the first to have that issue and solution.. Run it. Just takes a bit longer for the fuel to be happy

 

[Slantsix64]

The heatriser is very beneficial for fuel economy, and drive ability in colder areas and for you being in Minneapolis in the winter it should really help. But if you don't drive it in the winter you should be fine, but if you want to have good overall mileage it does help.