The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk deluxe or standard heater?

I got a 3 piece heater with my truck project that I disassembled, bead blaster free of old age and repainted inside and out. It was working when the cab was pulled from the truck last year. Knowing that, I did a good detail job and was ready to check heater off of my long list when I saw pictures of a different style heater in ann of the other 55-58 task force trucks. Am I correct in thinking there was two different heater options for these trucks? Anyway, I picked up a one-piece type round-core heater and restored it too (just in case) but now I am not sure wich I want to use. Knowing if this was a good option or something that is not a good upgrade will make my decision wich to keep and wich to ebay off.

There are probably 5 or 6 different heaters that were used in TF trucks. My 56 has a round heater core and the 55 Cameo I am currently working on has a rectangular heater core. Neither one has the deluxe version. Red58 has the inside track on heaters. You should be be able to find all about them if you do a search.
Fred

there was a factory installed standard heater with a round core in at least 57, [maybe 55-57], and a different standard one 58-9 ... there was a factory installed deluxe heater that I believe was the same 55-59, and there was a simple dealer installed heater for 55-59 that may also have been the standard in 55-6 [and I've seen it in AD's] .... find some pics here, mostly of the deluxe, except for the ones at the beginning

Bill

I have one like the heater in the third pic (the green dash). That one has a round core. I also have the one that is shown at the end in varios stages of ressurection. They both have good cores and good tins. What are the upsides and downsides of each? It looks like one is always circulating and the other deluxe has a thermostatic plumbing bypass switch. What is deluxe about the deluxe? Does one give moor foot room? Like maybe my dog won't bonk his head on the smaller one?? What are the correct color codes for these? Hey, thats a good segway to my other thread idea.

As always you guys really know your stuff. Both my bolts have the deluxe heater set up. I just totally rebuilt the heating system in my '65 Sub. Using LMC Truck I ordered all the components by matching what I removed. If I remember right the standard heater core is smaller than the deluxe heater core and I think the switch was different as well.

Iron Clad

the heaters were all "gray"ish, take yer pick on the shade, you'll find lots of opinions, but the restored deluxe one is rattle can "hammertone" slightly lighter than originals, and the dealer one here is original factory paint - the chalk scribble on it is from the dealer people who threw away that cover with the fan attached, I scored it outta the trash brand new fan motor .... one mans trash is another mans treasure

the functional difference is 2 fold, the standard one is called a "recirculating" heater, it only takes air in from the same area it heats, and the only control [stock] is fan speed, although you could put a universal cable controlled shut-off on like this on the aftrmarket setup - the deluxe [called a "fresh air" heater] has provision for mixing outside air [from where it connects to that kick panel vent], and in addition to the different fan speeds, it has the thermostatic water regulator [not bypass, but restriction], set it and it more or less keeps the heater core water a constant temp ... and you need the dash controls for that, like this

the standard one will give slightly more room for the dog, but either will bonk'im if he moves

check the details in the 57 accessories manual

Bill

That's good stuff. I think I'll stuff the deluxe in there. I already have the control panel in working order. I just need new lever tips and one lever. My pug "Beezer" hits his head on everything now as it is so I dont think he'll know the difference of standard or deluxe. Thanks for the pics.

Bill,
You seem to be the person to ask.
I have restored a recirculating heater for my 1950. The cable shut off you had shown installed on the input hose, does it shut the flow of water off to the engine as well as the heater if used? Or are the hoses specifically for the heater use? If is just for heater and can be shut off, where did you find that aftermarket cable shut off part? Right now I have one hose connected to both hose http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/2090509180103567918wZeziKoutlets, see pic

Eric

hey Eric! don't look like ya need a heater, 'specially where you are
yes, those 2 small hoses are just to circulate engine coolant thru the heater core, and they can be plugged off anytime, anyway, doesn't affect the engine circulation

the shut off shown came from NAPA, some one recently posted a p/n for similar, but I didn't note it - I do have "AC Delco #155814 or Balkamp #660-1413" on my list, might check those .... also some of the vendors have similar valves, can be cable controlled from in the cab, like this from American Classic

Bill

My neighbor has a 57 4x4 with deluxe heater and he ditched the little valve and used a plumbing fixture from ace hardware to turn the flow on or off. The knob sits just under the bottom of the heater box. It looks way rat roddish but he just does that stuff for function not looks. Sometimes I have to look away when he starts cutting and welding on that poor old truck because he has no plans or measurements. He works on this thing with just a basic sense of direction and simple tools. As long as he is satisfied when it's done and drives it for a long time, I'll give him cool credits.

Bill, sorry late reponding. Thanks for the info on the heater hoses. Will help out alot to be able to shut off the hot water into the cab when it gets hot here in summer 115+ degrees.

Eric