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Mod | | | Forums66 Topics128,018 Posts1,055,342 Members48,419 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 105 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 105 | Hello, The truck is a 51 3100, only had it a few months. Was washing it today and noticed that on the passenger side in front of the door there are louvers. Not there on the drivers side. Just wondering why that would be and what purpose do they serve.
Thanks! Chris | | | | | Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 Extreme Gabster | | Extreme Gabster Joined: May 2001 Posts: 7,438 | If you have a deluxe heater it pulls fresh air into the cab through them. If not they do nothing. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 | Often wondered about that Cletis, I do have a deluxe heater but with out one is that hole simply covered over with a plate? I would think that it would be a source for cold air in the winter time. And the rain thing, how do you deal with the rain that blows in to the opening even if you have the heater installed??? Denny Graham Sandwich, IL
Denny G Sandwich, IL
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | Denny,
All 47-55 trucks without a heater from the factory came with a cover (and seal/gasket) over the hole on the passenger side. By 1949, all trucks came from the factory without a heater (and there was no factory RPO for a heater). That plate was, of course, still needed when the more common recirculating heater was installed. I think I have a couple of those cover plates, if you want me to post a photo.
Tim
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 | yeah Tim if ya got one handy I'd like to see that since I've on had exposure to a few with the deluxe heaters. Do I understand you to say that from '49 on all of the heaters were dealer installed accessorys? I have a friend ritht now who I'm helping with a '50 that had a recirculating heater but he dosn't have a cover over the opening. I'm sure he will need it before the bum weather sets in this year. Never noticed if the vendors sell them, seems logical that they would.
Denny G Sandwich, IL
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 105 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Sep 2008 Posts: 105 | Thanks guys for the info. Chris | | | | | Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 684 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2005 Posts: 684 | Often wondered about that Cletis, I do have a deluxe heater but with out one is that hole simply covered over with a plate? I would think that it would be a source for cold air in the winter time. And the rain thing, how do you deal with the rain that blows in to the opening even if you have the heater installed??? Denny Graham Sandwich, IL Denny, There is a drain hole in the bottom of the cowl for the water to drain. If it is not plugged up with dirt. Also I think the cover that is being refered to could be described as a Fresh Air heater delete plate. Cleon
Last edited by 31,32,33; 08/24/2009 1:51 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | I think that the cover for the 1947-1955 lower-right, inner-cowl opening is: COVER, right inner panel, part number 3684403. Mine measures 11 3/4 by 6 7/8: Here are two photos of the cover - a merged image of a flash & a non-flash photo. The cover is attached with six 1/4"x 1/2" clutch-head machine screws (and "star" lock washers) into captive nuts in the inner cowl. Tim | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 | Makes sense, Thanks Tim, just what I needed to fab one. That looks simple enough to make, I'll whip one up for my buddy. I had my deluxe heater out earlier this summer and the back clutch head screws are about impossible to get in or out, so they are hex head bolts now, the front ones that show are still clutch heads. I think I have the pictures of the kick panel with the heater out, I’ll see if any show the drain holes. Denny Graham Sandwich, IL
Last edited by Denny Graham; 08/25/2009 3:42 AM.
Denny G Sandwich, IL
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