When I started my project it had this heater box in it, but from what I can tell through various online searches it doesn’t look like it was originally for my 1950 Chevy 3100. Can anyone identify this as originally for this truck or from some other vehicle? Should I go to an original style or try and refurbish this one…
Strangely enough I found what looks close to it, it sounds like they were installed in a 1942-1948 Ford trucks and car, looks like I need reject this Ford product 🥴
dogdaddy - Just my $.02 here, but if that was a original Ferd product it would more likely than not have that stamped into it somewhere. I'd be more inclined to think it is an aftermarket heater from the 1930's through 40's. The design is pretty different (outlet ducts) than the Ferd one you linked to, which is what points me towards this conclusion.
There were a lot of aftermarket companies selling heater/defrosters to fit in most any car or truck as they were usually only offered as an added expense option back in the day.
Do you have the rest of the unit? I'm seeing the fan and motor missing from all these pictures. If you have them, it might be cool to restore it. My web searches came back with zero direct matches to the name on the heater.
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
Yeah I had taken the motor and fan out to see what shape it was in, but yes it was toast motorize, I tried to see if I could pull the fan off the motor assembly, possibly try and add back a 12v motor. Took hours to separate the fan from the motor, so at this point I am thinking I will probably just lean towards a Chevy factory one or even hold off all together and aim toward a full ac/heat unit with a future engine swap.
~ Dan 1951 Chevy 3 window 3100 Follow this story in the DITY Gallery "My Grandpa Carl's Truck and How it Became Mine" 1966 Chevelle (Wife's Hot Rod) | 2013 Chevy Silverado (Current daily driver) US Army MSG Retired (1977-1998) | Com Fac Maint Lead Tech Retired (1998-2021)
None of the AD or TF trucks came from the factory with a heater installed. It was a dealer installed option. The "approved" heater option was made in GM's Harrison Division, which made all of the radiators as well as heater cores. None of the five AD and TF trucks that I have owned had a "factory" heater. My old 51 had a Nash heater, my current 54 has a Mopar heater and three TF trucks had Arvin units. The Harrison heaters were pricey so many owners opted for a $2 junkyard heater. My dad claimed he got the Mopar for the 54 3100 by rolling dice right on the shop floor.
Sooo... any period correct heater is considered correct for an AD or TF truck. Same with bypass oil filters. Dealer installed option. I've seen Fram and Franz on them as well as the AC. Any are correct.
~~ Jethro 1954 3100 Back to Life In the Dity Gallery 1951 3100 (gone) / 1956 4400 (still in the neighborhood) / 1957 6400 with dump body (retired) / 1959 3100 panel (in the woods junked) / 1978 Custom Deluxe K10 / 1993 S-10 4.3 / 2004 Chevy Crew Cab / 1945 John Deere H / 1952 John Deere B / 1966 John Deere 2510 / 1967 John Deere 1020
all my trucks came with Harrison's. If I were a dealer in the North, no way I`d want trucks/cars without heaters. The factory would have to install them all. A dealer could not spend the time to install heaters in every vehicle. Who is gonna want a truck w/o a heater up here in Wis?
~ BD. "You won't find me in an old folks home" Pioneer Florida Cracker 1958 Apache Stepside 1958 Apache 1/2 ton Panel 1959 Apache 1/2 ton Panel
If you were a dealer in the North, installing heaters in every truck would keep you set for fat cigars and crisp one dollar bills with which to light them.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
