The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks Heater Core and Blower

Hello All -

My '62 has no heater at all. I need to know what parts I need to get one installed. I know I need a heater core...how does that bolt up to the firewall? I know I need a blower...how does that install in the cab? What parts am I missing? Please advise. Thank you!

I can't say for sure about a '62 because my truck is a '65 model . On it , there is a large box , under the hood , on the passenger side firewall . This box contains the heater core and the blower motor mounts on the bottom side of this box ( accessible from the under hood area ) .The corresponding duct work connects to it ( inside the cab )under the dash .The heater controls vary depending on the model truck you have .If you go to www.lmctrucks.com , there should be a diagram showing the layout of it all .If you need an actual picture ( view ) of the heater box , check any engine compartment photos on the site or a similar site .Good luck !

This first link shows the major components of the deluxe or fresh air heater.

http://www.64moneypit.pages.qpg.com/6066chevytrucks/id36.html

It requires the large sheet metal box in the engine compartment to mount the heater core and fan motor. The recirculating or economy heater mounts the core and fan motor in the cab, and only the hose nipples and mounting screws show in the engine compartment. I believe the firewall changed in 1963, so any 60-62 heater should be a direct bolt in to your truck. I had a deluxe heater in my truck long ago and didn’t like how much room it took up under the hood, and it always smelled of antifreeze in the cab, even though the core was new and didn't leak. I replaced it with the recirculating heater and it works fine in the sub freezing temperatures we get in the inland Northwest.

The following link shows a beautiful example of a restored economy heater. The defroster part of the ducting is not shown, and is the same on both the deluxe and economy heaters.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=367522&highlight=economy+heater

I’ve tried several aftermarket street rod heaters and all were worthless heating the cab in winter, unless you live in reasonably warm climate.

Here are a few more related threads:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=368598
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=294960&highlight=economy+heater
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showthread.php?t=267251&highlight=economy+heater

Whenever I ask something on this site, I always get tons of help. Thank you so much for your replies. They really helped alot.

I would also like to agree with Mark's advice. The 60-62 economy or recirculating heater would be the simplest to both acquire and install. Only 2 cables are needed instead of the deluxe heaters' levers/cables/switch. There are lots of guys who will rip out the complete system in order to throw in an aftermarket AC system. So be on the lookout on Craigslist (through Jaxed.com) as well as eBay for that stuff. Be patient and you'll end up with exactly what you need for a reasonable price.
The econmy setup doesn't enter into the engine bay like the deluxe does, so that's a plus as well. Good luck

Great advice. Thank you so much.

got one of the economy heaters, no rust, never used it so cant asay if core leaks but no staining inside!

Don Thela