The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Heater type???

OK.....which heater do we have and what is the correct nomenclature.

1954 Chevy 3100 truck....do we have a Harrison fresh air heater...there is a knob under the dash with a cable pull the knob a little door opens on the heater box. We were told that this is a GMC heater and we needed a round type? As far as we can tell this heater assembly is orginal to the truck. We are going to have the heater core rebuilt but would like to know what we have and what is the correct nomenclature. What the heck is that little door all about? My wife sets the temp in her Lexus and it's all automatic.....no little door with a cable.....

There were two 1954 Chevrolet truck heaters:
- Recirculating heater
- Air Flow (Fresh Air) heater (both names were used in different GM documents)

GMC had both of those styles of heaters and a few other style heaters.

The little door allows you to heat differing amounts of cab air (for faster heating?) and/or outside air (for dryer/fresher air?).

It looks like the one in the upper LH corner....fresh flow. I guess GMC and Chevy both used this design. It certainly is not the round or heavy duty type. The little door is to bring fresh air from outside through the lovers on the side of the cab to mix with warm air...is that what makes this a delux heater? Was it made by GMC or Harrison.
Thanks for the help TC

GM heaters were made by Harrison (Harrison Radiator Division - a Division/Company owned by GM).

So, both the GMC and Chevrolet truck radiators were made by the same GM Division.

It was called the DeLuxe heater probably because of its extra features and because of its higher price.