The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk '47 to '53 Heaters

I have several questions about heaters for my '49 1/2-ton. In 1949, were heaters optional equipment, or standard with every truck? I've seen dozens of heaters advertised on e-Bay, but the one in my truck looks nothing like them. My truck has a "B&B Deluxe", which is a SQUARE box mounted inside the firewall. The hoses go directly from the engine to the heater core, so it appears there is no way to control the flow of hot water. Furthermore, my heater unit has no fresh air connection to the outside. It simply re-heats air inside the cab. I've never seen this type of heater discussed or advertised. I don't know whether I have a piece of junk or something unique worth millions. The most common types of AD heaters I see on e-Bay appear to be Deluxe and non-Deluxe?? Who manufactured these units and what was the difference between them? Does the Deluxe mount to the outside cowl vent for fresh air supply? Do all of these heaters come with some sort of control mechanism for regulating the flow of hot water from the radiator? Thanks for the information. I'm trying to decide whether to restore my heater or dump it and buy a Deluxe.

I can't answer all the questions but to my knowledge there is no control to stop the flow of water on the 'non-deluxe' (round core) heater. I have one in my 49 and it basically blows air from inside the cab. On the deluxe heater it draws in air from outside through the louvered vent on the right cowl.
My 1949 price list does not show the either heater as an option so I might think the regular heater came standard and the deluxe may have been a dealer install. I am sure someone will have a more definitive answer.
If your heater has a square/rectangular core it is probably easier to replace than a round one.

I'll take a stab at answering your questions. Others will correct my mistakes, clarify my answers, and hopefully add more information.

Tim

I have several questions about heaters for my '49 1/2-ton. In 1949, were heaters optional equipment, or standard with every truck?
-> Optional equipment

I've seen dozens of heaters advertised on e-Bay, but the one in my truck looks nothing like them. My truck has a "B&B Deluxe", which is a SQUARE box mounted inside the firewall. The hoses go directly from the engine to the heater core, so it appears there is no way to control the flow of hot water. Furthermore, my heater unit has no fresh air connection to the outside. It simply re-heats air inside the cab. I've never seen this type of heater discussed or advertised. I don't know whether I have a piece of junk or something unique worth millions.
-> Your heater is not a Chevrolet heater. It might be a GMC heater but is most likely a non-GM product.

The most common types of AD heaters I see on e-Bay appear to be Deluxe and non-Deluxe??
-> Non-deluxe heater was called a Recirculating heater.
-> Deluxe heater was called a, Air-Flow heater

Who manufactured these units and what was the difference between them?
-> GM (Harrison for GM?)

Does the Deluxe mount to the outside cowl vent for fresh air supply?
-> Yes

Do all of these heaters come with some sort of control mechanism for regulating the flow of hot water from the radiator?
-> No, but there is an after-market valve sold my many vendors that mounts on the water pump.
-> The Air-Flow heater has a control-valve mounted on the firewall under the dash (protrudes on both sides of the firewall, with hose connectors on the engine side)

Thanks for the information. I'm trying to decide whether to restore my heater or dump it and buy a Deluxe.
-> It has become quite difficult to buy a Deluxe Air-Flow heater with all the seals, motor control-switch, defroster cable-control, control valve and control rod. Even the recirculating heater has become expensive. Just trying to prepare you for the quest. I have bought 2 Air-Flow heats and the purchases have worked out well (both were missing minor parts and the heater-motor switch is hard to find).

You might have seen this link in earlier posts about heaters: 1951 Chevrolet Accessories Manual (thank, Keith Hardy). It has both style of heaters listed.

(Ebay links go in their own section of the forums.
Cletis)

Thanks, all. I had not seen the Accessory Manual info.

Does it look like THIS?

My heater is similar in size and shape to the link above, but not the same product. My heater is original equipment (or maybe I should say very old). It has louvered doors on the front and a six-volt motor. The motor has a shaft on both sides. One shaft drives a fan blade for pushing air into the cab and the other shaft drives a squirrel cage for pushing air to the defrosters. The only way to control the air flow is to adjust the louvered doors in front. Open them (by hand) to get more air into the cab. Close them to push more air to the defroster. The only legible writing on the unit is "B&B Deluxe" which is stamped on the front of the unit.

For many years heaters were an option. There were probably 10 different after market manufacturers with a wide verity of shapes and methods of directing the air flow.(Just look at the photos on e Bay) They were relatively easy to install. My ’41 had one installed on the driver’s side and one on the passenger’s side. Guess it gets cold in Minnesota.

norcal49er,

I think I found a photo of a GM heater that might be like yours. It is in the 1947 Chevrolet Truck Data Book but it is not in the 1949/50 Truck Data Book (by then, your heater seems to have been replaced by a dash-type, "deluxe", recirculating heater). I'll scan a few photos and post them. It looks real interesting.

Tim

1947 ACCESSORY Heater and Defroster, De Luxe
1947 OPTIONAL Fresh-Air Ventilator, Heater, and Defroster

My 1950 Price Information guide (updated to 1/19/51) shows two factory heaters as described by the others. It is worth noting why you may see alternatives because in 1950 dollars these were a pricey accessory.

Heater Dash-Type Deluxe w/defroster $39.80 Installed

Heater Airflow and Defroster $64.10 Installed

To give you an idea of how steep that is a deluxe cab was only $51.90

In regards to a control valve to regulate hot water in the heater, other links have indicated that there was a shut off valve installed at the point the heater hose attached to the engine block (the hose carrying the hot water to the heater). You can see this valve in some of the old engine pictures, and several of the aftermarket companies (Chevy Duty for example) carry the valve. However, it is just a simple on/off valve and you can get something workable from a hardware store.

Apparently it was common to turn the valve off in the summer and back on in the winter, but someone pointed out that letting radiator fluid sit uncirculated in the heater core for an extended period of time could cause problems.

Dave

I spent more than an hour searching the web and finally found somebody else who has the same heater I do (link below). I still don't know who manufactured this unit or when it was made. This model is apparently not nearly as common as the Deluxe or Recirculating heaters made by GM.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=231443&d=1160486765

As has been said, trucks (and cars) came without heaters in those days. There was a huge aftermarket in them. Places like Sears, Wards, Western Auto, White's Auto, Otasco are some of the ones in this area. There's no telling what you'll find in your truck.