The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Interiors Anyone have pix of '58 Apache 3100 heater unit

I am missing some external parts and need too see what's gone ? My unit is the heater/defroster, 2 speed, it's pictured in my photobucket. Thanks

check the album in my sig

Bill

Thanks for that.

PM me and i`ll send you pictures of mine and provide you with the parts you need, I am not going to use it

MikeB

Hi all, Grant from Wisconsin. Heater question. Red 58 has some great detail pics of standard heater assy for 58-9. Mine is very functional, but it is missing the deflector over the core. My question is this... what importance/effects of this piece? I would think that not having it would deliver the greatest heat flow to my Girl's feet area. She is very cold blooded. Please reply. Grant.

Grant - this heater? - if the "deflector" missing is the one at the bottom facing the kick panel, that's the intake - the part that distributes the heat is the plenum to the left, which has some vanes in it to direct the heat down - also has the defrost control that cuts heat to the floor in favor of up to the windshield

Bill

Thanks Red 58. Very helpful. A panel of any shape will be effective then. It's mainly a cosmetic thing? Thanks for the great info. Grant.

for that lower scopp, pretty much - the function of that is to take in fresh air from the cowl vent on that side, which helps if you want the defroster going full blast but it's not so cold you want a lot of heat, or if you just want it open a bit for continuous fresh air

Bill

Does anyone recommend a company I can send my standard heater to? I wish to have it restored. 1957 Chevy 3100. Thanks! Jon

never heard of anyone that does it, need to piece it out, core to the rad shop, case to the bodyman for paint .... not much to them, not hard to take it apart and put it back together yourself

Bill

Hi Bill,
Yes that is what I was starting to think. I pulled the heater out last night and yes they look pretty simple to fix. I did find this place classicautoair.com but they want anywhere from $200 to $500 to repair and restore the heater. Thanks! Jon

I'm of no special skills, intelligence, or tools. I was able to restore my heater to like-new condition inside my own garage. (With the assistance of Stovebolt members!)

- I used my local radiator shop for the core check.

- I used an after-market vendor for cables, arms, and bezel.

- I used a local vintage air conditioning shop for the hose to the defroster ducts (mostly because they were local, but any online place has it.)

- The biggest problem, and biggest disappointment, was the quality of the heater control valve. It is Chinese and one of those "55 - 57, but also fits 58 - 59". IT DOESN'T. Save your money and mind, and send it to a specialist or repair it yourself. (Google Stovebolt. Red58 has already posted the kit number at NAPA.)

I encourage you to try to restore it yourself. I don't think you can hurt it, so you won't be any worse off than just sending it out. I'm sure you'll have plenty of online help, and the satisfaction you'll have after finishing the job can't be bought.

Bill

Bill - Jon has a standard heater, no Ranco valve, no cable controls, piece a cake, just the core, a fan/motor. case, variable fan switch .... for the Ranco, I found this one at a Volvo parts place, oughta fit, but spendy I think the main difference in the valves is the size of the copper tubes, the car one was different than some year trucks, and Danchuk the 5-7 car guy is the one that had'em repro'd

Bill

Hello all,
Great information. Yes, I have the standard heater . I will tear into it once I get a chance. Thank you for the link Bill. I am very weary of these after market parts. I have a great local radiator place here in SF.

yep, same one in my 58, if you can get the core taken care of locally, the rest is simply cosmetic work

Bill

Got it.

Good luck with your efforts UnklRod. I hope and expect it to go uneventfully for you. With no valve, it is pretty straight-forward.

Bill

Bill,
Would it be safe to say the heater color would be the same charcoal as the dash and steering column?
Thanks!

Jon

close to that - the heaters were an outside job [Harrison was one supplier] so weren't an exact match, but yes, dark grey

Bill

Thank you Bill.
I will paint it the same as the rest of the inside.
Jon

Painted Heater... before before1 after1 after2

lookin excellent Jon

Bill

Thank you Bill,
With this part of the puzzle out of the way I only now need to get the muffler and pipes together and then I am ready to start the beast... Heater IN