Ok but….
How do you like the diesel torpedo heater? Does it give off nasty fumes or no?
My experience with a used kerosene torpedo wasn’t so great but I think it had an issue. Seemed way too rich and would make the garage fumed up.

Looking for something to warm the garage “quickly”. Figure with something like this it could be used to cut the cold then turned off and use the “clean” propane tank top heater.

 

I run a drain oil/gasoline mix in my heater with no smoke lol.

I actually use it to get the shop up to temp, then let my pellet stove hold the temp.

 

I guess growing up in the construction business im used to them. We used them alot to keep buildings warm especially come time for finish work. I like them alot, cheap and easy to use

The more sealed off your shop is the more youll notice the fumes. My old shop i could keep it comfortable without too much diesel fumes. When i let the thermostat do it's thing the fumes were stronger, because cylcing on and off you get more fumes at startup. I found it better to just cycle it manually. Run till its comfortable then fire it back up when i start feeling chilly. I could easily maintain 60-65* with a little insulation in a 36x41' shop in 20-30 degree weather.

The shop im working in now is less sealed for now and larger/taller so i barely notice the fumes at all, only at startup. The other day working on the turbo windchill was in the single digits, no insulation in a 20' tall 32'x60' shop and air temp was in the 20's. It kept it 40-45* running intermittently. This shop has a wood burning stove in it and i stopped bothering with it because you cant really even tell its running unless your right next to it.


Im speaking of the 190k btu heaters. I have one small 50k my dad left me and its almost like pissing in the wind but feels good up close obviously.
To me the kerosene heaters almost seem to put off more pungent fumes than diesel, call me crazy.

 

Ok Mr Crazy, thank you. No seriously thanks! My kerosene version is very old and was inherited from my grandfather. Haven’t used it in years now. I think it has some issues and runs extra rich. Thought about working on it but figured it wasn’t worth the trouble.

I may look into getting a large diesel version as you described. I always have diesel on hand for the tractor so this makes it easy compared to a special kerosene jug. Thanks for the info.

Some day I hope to run across an old propane HVAC unit to install. Oh I can dream.

 

Crazy here,

all of my heaters are 10 yr old minimum and one is over 20. They seem to be pretty simple to keep running. They all say they can run on diesel 1 or 2, jeta and kerosene. Like you say I run diesel #2 because I keep diesel on hand for other things.

Now central heat would be a dream for sure, I dont think it would be good for my marriage though.....

 

Well then… maybe it’s time to drag it back out and take a look. The need for kerosene was part of the reason I set it aside. Never thought about being able to use diesel in it. If I had to guess I’d say this one is 30+ years old. Popal passed in 1998 and it wasn’t new when they gave it to me.

 

Mine also puts out more fumes on Kerosene, leaning the pump out helps, but reduces the heat output.

 

Thats better

 

Oh la la!

And thanks to the info in this thread I dug grandpa’s old torpedo heater back out of the attic. Took it apart to blow out, added some diesel, and it fired right up. The little air filter is falling apart so ordered one for like $8 off eBay. The only date I could find said something like “approved in 1987”. Not sure when it was manufactured but this is probably not too far off. Popal passed in 1998.
It doesn’t say diesel is ok to use but it smelled pretty clean while running outside.

Thanks again to Chris and the others for giving me the info and motivation to use this again.

 

Got her buttoned up. Was able to find a few hrs to work on her today. All that's left is the pump/filter assembly and wiring(including ipr harness reduction) till I can take her for test drive and bring over to my house to finish the little things a bit at a time. Left the turbo intake boot off to verify turbo spins upon startup. Chinese up pipes took a little persuading to get lower t4 flange bolts started but got er done. Slowly worked up pipes snug, then tight and appear to be sealed.


Went ahead and tapped the y for boost and stuck a random 1/8” shrader valve to plug the hole until i install the gauges.

Stupid allen heads

 

Looking good!

Is that drivers side plenum clamp low enough?

 

I didnt get them perfect but close.
i dry fit the y before i installed boots and the y sits flush on top of the plenum inserts. The boots are a little on the long side i guess i could trim them a bit
So the clamps are good i may space them apart a bit after looking at pictures?

 

Looking great.

 

Excellent news. Excited to see how you dig that S300 wheel and efuel.

 

I was just concerned it might be partially above the plenum pipe. But if it’s good then send it!