The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Heater Plumbing

Here's some pix of my heater. There is no control to regulate the water flow. It is always on. Is that the way it came from the factory or did some PO delete the valve? Also, the louvers on the passenger side don't serve any purpose; they are blocked off. The heater just recycles the cab air. Is that the way it's supposed to be? There is no info about the heater in the assembly manual or shop manual.
[img]http://members.shaw.ca/ghillsden/misc/heater-1.jpg[/img]
[img]http://members.shaw.ca/ghillsden/misc/heater-2.jpg[/img]
[img]http://members.shaw.ca/ghillsden/misc/heater-3.jpg[/img]

The first one looks like a GM recirculating heater, which only had a cut-off valve at the water neck. The second is a fresh-air heater. Both were available from the factory or to be dealer installed on a new truck. Neither "should" or "shouldn't" be there, as either was available from GM. www.oldgmctrucks.com has a '54 GMC accessory manual online, most of which is also applicable to Chevys - both heaters are also shown in the Chevy accessory installation manual available from any of the parts suppliers.

On second review, that isn't a standard truck recirculating heater, which used a round heater core. The front case looks the same, the back is different. It may be from a car? Anyway, it's definately GM and from the right era.

I say if it fits (which it looks like it hit the holes in the firewall spot-on) and you like it, I would use it. It doesn't look familiar to me, but that doesn't mean much. As far as the plumbing, Mr Panel is right. Originally the recirculating heater had no control valve. As I remeber from my accessory installation manual (from '51, so things could have changed), there wasn't even a shut-off. The Deluxe Air-Flow heater had the control valve. But, I think that a control valve would make a nice addition. Like TooMany2Count said, it mounts through the oblong hole. The hose runs from the thermostat housing to the inner nipple of the valve, from the outer nipple to the heater core (probably the upper nipple), then from the heater core to the nipple on the water pump. Leave enough length of hose to loop them out and around to the right inner fender. HTH.

Thanks, guys.
I thought it was odd that bolts were so long (except for the two that the PO shortened with a hacksaw). It seems to me that you really need a control so I think I will install a cheap cable operated heater control valve like this:
(AC Delco #155814 about $23)
[img]http://www.rockauto.com/ref/ACDelco/15-5814.jpg[/img]

my 54 which i believe was all stock when i got it does not have a heater control valve. it is not the deluxe cab so i assume it is just a plain old heater - hot water in - hot water out. it does not look like yours but like the others said if it works and fits use it!

Thanks, Joe. I think I will run the throttle cable to it. The throttle wasn't connected on the truck - I guess it wasn't needed or they lost the parts at the carb end... Anyhow the "T" on the knob can mean "Temperature" now. I will have to cut those other two bolts down too.

Gord - the heater you have is the most basic version that was frequently installed by the dealer if a heater was wanted - the same from at least 47-59 - the way you found it is the way they were, as said, "recirculating" heater [I've got a bunch if ya need parts - freebie, not an ad!]

the water flow valve [called a 'Ranco valve', and common to nearly all manufacturers] was on the deluxe heater, which was an option installed at the factory and had a thermostatic capilary tube so you could 'set' the temp and it could automatically keep it at that level - they almost always start to leak in fairly short order, so it's wise to mount it on the engine side of the firewall!!

I just got in the 'repair kit' from Balkamp for the Ranco in my TF deluxe heater [just the rubber flapper from inside the valve, and the instructions to dis/re-assemble it!] and put it all on the bench for tomorrow not sure I'll put it in the stock position inside the heater housing tho'

Bill

Thanks for the explanation, Bill. The "GM" logo looks generic - I guess they put them in a variety of applications. And thanks for the offer of parts. The core was checked at the rad shop and I checked out the motor; both were OK and that's about all that can go wrong with it - pretty basic!

Guys I'm tagging onto this thread 'cause it might be useful for someone and me?!

I have NO heater at all and want one. Lacking the heater, controls etc. What's a good place to look for it all? I am not opposed to something like what Chevy Duty sells as it's 12 volt and I'm just about "there". Thoughts?

Your heater and the little parts of your truck we can see look real good. Post some pics of the rest of the truck!

My 59 GMC had an inline brass shut off spliced into one of the heater hoses. Some old cars also had them too.you had to open the hood and manually shut it off .

Great job on the heater. I'm restoring a 46 1/2 ton and the heater is similar. One of the fan motors even works. I don't know how they survived the winters out here with these small heaters.
Bob T Moose Jaw

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Fran and Gord:
[QB] I think I will install a cheap cable operated heater control valve AC Delco #155814 about $23

Exactly what I installed in my 54, Gord. Works fine. Well I think it does. Never yet had to open it here in Kaliforny. If it's chilly out I close windows and cowl vent and bask in the engine heat.

Christian

TT, I have a non-stock heater that came in my 54 GMC that I would be willing to part with. Here is a link to a picture of it installed in my truck:

http://community.webshots.com/photo/109004561/109004561iJYuZc

It was working fine when I removed it and I bought and restored an original fresh air heater, so I no longer need the old one. Here is a link to the restored heater:
http://community.webshots.com/photo/109000222/113274100aOsxFJ

Let me know if you are interested.