The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors 1952 Chevy Truck Heater

Working on a 1952 Chevy truck (3100) and it does have an original heater box mounted to the inside of the firewall. Upon closer look, it is not wired into the truck and there are not any defroster ducts in place.

But my question is, how did those heaters operate? I see a switch is offered in aftermarket catalogs, but where did the switch go in the cab? Anyone have any pictures?

Thanks!

My 54 has a switch located under the dash below the light switch .it's a toggle switch with off high and low for the fan. No cuts in the dash . I have seen a few on ebay simular I think the heaters were after market or made for trucks by a separate company

The GM Harrison Division made heaters for Chevrolet trucks and passenger cars. They were not installed at the factory ... Chevrolet dealers installed them. They were relatively expensive. The list price of the AirFlow heater on my '54 3104 was $64.87 - the most expensive option on the truck.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxisXBEpc-IWdHZCYVFnRnl4bUU/view?usp=sharing

The switch was probably a three position toggle switch that came with the heater. Holes were predrilled in the dash for the switch and heater controls.

Switches in working order are getting rare. I installed a non-working original switch on my dash, then hid a modern rotary switch inside the dash away from wiring and paint because it gets very hot.

Heaters were also made by aftermarket manufacturers.

Your questions are answered in the 1951 Chevrolet Accessories Installation Manual:

> (p. 36) 986104 HEATER & DEFROSTER - Air Flow, Truck
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/accessories/1951am/51aim36.htm

> (p.39) 986554 HEATER & DEFROSTER - Recirculating, Truck
http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/accessories/1951am/51aim39.htm

- Lonnie

Here is a photo of the recirculating heater in my 54 3100. I just refurbished it. You need to get under the dash and see if there are defroster diffusers. They would be a flat metal duct attached to the slot in your windshield were the air would flow out. The bottom end would have a round opening the same size as the top of your heater outlet. You can buy replace flexible duct work to bridge the gap from you heater and the diffusers from LMCTRUCK or ClassicParts. ClassicParts give a 10% discount with the code stovebolt. There shipping is usually cheaper also. I just bought some. It was about $20. You can get something that will work for about $10 at Home Depot but it does not have the authentic look as the original black cloth duct work. LMCTRUCK and ClassicParts have the OEM stuff.

PIC if recirculating heater

Lonnie,
Is there a way to pull the original build information based on VIN, or did you get that with your truck? Would love to see how mine was originally optioned.

No such luck, with regards to most options/accessories.

Post your Vehicle Serial Number (attached between door hinges on driver's side of the cab). That will/might tell you/us a little more than the year/series

Post your engine serial number (pressed into the block to the rear of the distributor). That will tell us the engine and maybe the type of vehicle it was originally installed in.

Regular Production Options might have been listed on a sales sheet/invoice - if you find one, you would be almost 1 in a million.

1952 Chevrolet truck ID (serial number) information.

1952 3104 Pickup standard & optional equipment

1952 truck optional equipment - all models.

Thanks everyone! Wow, just think....even as late as the 50s, a heater can be optional!!

There are diffusers up under the dash, but need the duct work, motor wired, and a switch. I think this will be something needed going forward!!

That was not the only item we take for granted today that was an option back then. While changing the oil for the first time when I got my 54 I discovered an oil filter was an option. The original owner chose not to take that option. I have no oil filter on my 54 235. I am on the hunt for an original oil filter set up correct for a 54 235.

Here is a picture of the original switch. They have a toggle similar to a modern light switch.

Toggle Switch Picture

If your truck has been converted to 12v you will need to change the electric motor in your heater. The original 6v motor will not work. I had to make the change on mine. A replacement 12v motor can be ordered from AutoZone for about $20. I think I still have the part/motor number at home. I will post the information as soon as possible. If you just do a search on the AutoZone web site you will have about a 1,000 motor to pick from. I think I was on web page 33 before I found one with the correct dimensions and wiring options. It was very easy to change out.

Probably getting pretty hard to find ...

I used a heater blower motor from a '60 Chevy in the AirFlow heater in my '54 that is converted to 12v. About an eighth inch smaller diameter and the mounting holes in the heater case need to filed about 1/16" inward to fit the studs in the '60 motor. Cut a new rubber gasket for the firewall. Looks original.

Probably any 12v GM heater motor that looks similar would work.

- Lonnie

Greg Brown -

I sent info on how I compiled the "original equipment" list for my '54 to your gmail address.

-Lonnie

@dgrinnan, I may be able to find you an oil filter. I had a 1954 filter and sold it recently

If you locate one, send me a private message. Thanks. I am in no hurry. This is one of the many items on my to do list. Thanks. Based on my research, The oil filter assembly are the same for a 53 or 54.

I dug up the information on the 12v replacement motor for myAD recirculating heater. Harrison model HD-205-54

It is from AutoZone. Part #35512. Everco. The height of the motor is 1/4 inch larger than the original but it fit with plenty of clearance and no modifications. I did need to drill out the original fan to get it to fit the 1/4 shaft with no problem to enlarge it to the 1/4 needed. Here is a link. $29.99 It is reversible also by simply reversing the two wires.


Link to AutoZone part

Thanks for digging up the heater part numbers! I'll be sure to get one ordered.



Thanks from the advice from KY....we used to live in Paris...KY that is!