The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors 1955.1 - Aftermarket heater recommendations?

My 55.1 3100 was built with no heater.
Several holes in the firewall show at least 3 prior heaters.
I'd like to install a mini "hot rod " heater.
Has anyone used one or have a recommendation?
Thank you.

They were all built with no heater. It was a dealer added option.

It may look like 3 heater types from the holes in the firewall, but they were usually set up to receive two types, a recirculating heater, and an Air-Flow (aka Fresh Air) heater.

Heater Options Photo courtesy of Brad Allen

I have the recirculating type and it works great. Classic Parts sells a reproduction heater box, heater core and motor. The price has gone up significantly since last year, however.

https://www.classicparts.com/1947-54-Heater-Box-Round-Style/productinfo/68%2D206/#

https://www.classicparts.com/1947-57-Heater-Core-Round-Recirculating/productinfo/68%2D222/

https://www.classicparts.com/searchprods.asp

You should be able to find an original heater from another member. They show up every now and then in the Swap Meet.
You could post a want ad in Parts Wanted.

I have this one that was in my 38.

Ouch. Those are high dollar options for original style reproductions.
Thank you for the suggestions.
I'm hoping to find a smallish, unobtrusive aftermarket unit for half the cost of repops.
Anyone....?

You should be able to find a used heater ,they are out there the easiest would be the round type but if it needs a core they are expensive ,The round type do not have a fresh air inlet so they will fog the windows more than the fresh air type.I also see on the link posted above to classic parts a aftermarket complete unit for 225.

Find a cheap but complete non working recirculating heater and make your own core. All you need is flexible 3/8 inch copper tubing...between 15 and 20 feet is what I used plus two 3/8" to 1/2" converters to slip inside the heater hoses and a bit of sheet metal to make a fan mount (really simple). Simply bend as needed in a tight circle getting larger as you go. I think (it has been over 25 years since I did this) I began wrapping around a coffee can and spacing each winding about 3/8 inch apart. Just be certain you leave space for air...but not too much space. You will be surprised how well it works, and because it is thick copper and seamless (aside from the adapters) it won't leak in your lifetime. You may not even need to use the fan...unless it was an abnormally cold day just the heat radiating from it kept me plenty warm. Good luck!

Jon, is the anything you don't make yourself?
Now, I feel bad about trashing my old heater with the bad core.
It still appears that no one recommends a $50 - $100 aftermarket heater.
Thanks Jon

Is there such a thing?

There are many such things, probably imports, but some from US for $160 or so.
Hot rodders use them.
This photo is typical of a $50 unit.

Hasn't anyone tried one?
.

Are you building a hot rod or a restoration. If hot rod, you can't really go wrong for $50.

If you want a period correct looking interior, buy one of the repops or look for aused original.

OK Otto and other Bolters... you've successfully swayed me to seek out and find a period correct heater.
With Jon's help, I'll have a heater core. We'll see how the moving parts work. Stay tuned.

Restored or hot rod? Neither. It's an improved barn find. The 1st thing I did was install a 5 speed. Check out the Gallery.

Cool! Even if it doesn't work it will look better under the dash than the Chinese hot rod heater.

Follow up....
While I await delivery of the heater I ordered (photo above), I realize that my 55 1st series is set up for a fresh air heater, with louvers under the A-pillar to draw in air.
The heater above is recirculating, with no intake for fresh air.
Now what?

No worries it will fit . There will be a rectangle plate on the inside of the passenger side above the kick panel that should be there blocking the intake were the lovers are .I used the round heater for years on my 54 ,the only downfall is no fresh air and the windows will fog up a little more so you use the front vent or open the window a little.

The plate should be like this

The one thing you may need is the defroster metal deflectors two of them one for passenger side and one for drivers side.

Sounds good. I have the block off plate.
I won't panic.
Not having fresh air defrost isn't that critical.
Thanks Kevin.
I'll rebuild the used recirculating heater and report back.

Put a request in the want ads if you don’t have the defrost vent pieces ,someone would have a set ,there is a few on the e site with prices about 50.

I have 2 old recirculating heater bodies and 3 old (untested) cores. Got them all from the junkyard during the cash for clunkers program. PM me if you'd like to buy any or all of them.... These heaters are easily refurbished, unless the sheet metal is too far gone. For mine, I used the drop in replacement core that is actually square and has a round flange. It looks great, but I can't attest to how well it performs, as my truck isn't running yet!

Gray Ghost,

Thank you for asking him to PM you and take the conversation to the side if he wants to move forward getting them from you. If it does go towards a discussion of buying them by anyone, I will have to move it to the selling forum or a new thread will be required.

Chris

Chris,

No problem! I try to live within the rules.... FWIW, I'll attach a couple of pics with the heater that came out of my truck, both before and after. If anyone chooses to use the same replacement heater core (square core with a round flange to fit our recirculating heaters), you'll need to salvage the supporting frame that is braised onto the round core. It is a simple task to remove it. Then, you'll need to drill a couple of tiny holes to attach it (the frame) onto the replacement core. Hope this helps someone.

Mike

How much was the square peg in the round hole heater core?

It's at Classic Industries. Comes with a 12v fan. Currently shown as $299. Only a little more than buying a new round core with no fan. No idea what having an original core refurbished would cost, but at the end of the day, it's still 70 years old....

URL IS:
https://www.classicindustries.com/product/1953/chevrolet/truck/parts/ap7291.html

Gotcha. I used the round core they sell but it was just under $200 when I bought it last year. Since I already had the fan and motor, it made the most sense.

Is the square core itself replaceable in the future with an off the shelf design or is that a proprietary thing?

My guess is it's proprietary. I am hopeful, though, that this is a one and done replacement.

I think these are the people that make them. This is where I bought mine.
https://thebrassworks.net/

Hey 55, how well does the square heater core work?

It works OK. The blower is a bit noisy on the high speed. It wasn't too difficult to install either.

As if a 70 year old truck cabin is quiet anyway. I can't hear my heater on high when I'm on the freeway because its drowned out by wind noise and valve clatter!

Hi guys. Thank you for the follow up.
I bought a recirculating heater from Ebay that will probably need restoring to work. (See photo). I'll probably get around to that after the holidays.
If the core is bad, I'll use Jon G's copper tubing core idea, maybe a new motor, lube and cosmetics.
Your photos and process looks great Mike. I'll pm you for restoration tips.
Don

You should be able to split the fan motor carefully and clean the inside and grease the bushings , just be careful of the Brushes as they are difficult to put in place when putting back together

Any tips for pressure testing the old heater core?

Did someone say household water pressure is enough to emulate our low pressure cooling system?
(I have a 7lb pressure cap on my 235 w/new reproduction radiator.)

Household water pressure (typically 30-60 psig) is way too much to test a heater core. My ‘59 235 runs a 4 lb. cap so testing much above that is asking for trouble. I have tested filling the core with water, plugging one side and applying air pressure to the other. if you can get your air compressor regulator down to 8-10 PSIG, that is more than enough. You also may be able to borrow on from your FLAPS.

Someone on here Used a bike pump I will try to find it on here.

Here are a few from this site .the first one is from brad Allen and the last pic is off y tube.

Auto Zone, Advance Auto, etc will loan you a radiator pressure testing kit for free.

Thanks for the excellent pressure testing ideas.
My truck has no heater switch on the dash, and one didn't come with the Ebay heater.
Does the switch determine high or low fan speed?
Can I use a 15 amp toggle switch?

Don

A toggle switch will only give you one speed. On and Off.

If you want variable speed, get one of the rheostat switches. Or get one of the Hi Med Lo Off switches.

It's Standard Motor Products part# HS92 (6v) available from Classic Truck Parts and other places. It's available in 6v and 12v (HS572) and it's lighted as well.