The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks REPLACING HEATER MOTOR

My 62 1/2 ton Chevy with a 235 six needs a new heater motor. How difficult an undertaking is this? It looks like the glove box will have to be removed. Any ideas? Thanks in advance for any suggestions. This an original heater.Edabbs

It's relatively straight forward. The are 2 styles of heaters - the economy or recirculating type where the heater core and blower are contained within the cab, and the deluxe or fresh air heater that has a rather large sheet metal box on the passenger side of the firewall.

If you have the econo or recirculating type, it is easier with the glovebox removed. Simply disconnect the wiring, remove the screws holding the motor panel to the case, and lift it out. If you have the deluxe version, it's the same procedure, except the motor is on the bottom of the case which is going to make it more difficult to see what you're doing.

Thanks for the quick response MARKEB!!! The old motor has not completely quit but on these cold mornings it gives off a high pitched sound like a bearing is trying to freeze up. This is the original 48 year old motor-they just don't make them like they use to. I do have the econo type. I will proceed with the repair.

There is an inexpensive alternative to replacing the original heater motor, although I wouldn’t necessarily favor it unless cost is critical. If you can’t get the old fan off the old motor, replacing both can add up quickly:

http://www.classicparts.com/1947-63-1964-66-w_Air-Heater-Motor-12-Volt/productinfo/68-009/
http://www.classicparts.com/1960-72-Heater-Fan-With-or-w_o-A_C/productinfo/68-061/

On my recirculating heater I replaced both the blower motor & fan with components from a Pontiac Fiero. The original use of the Fiero fan & motor happened when I was running an aftermarket heater/air conditioner. Twice the fan motor burned up for no apparent reason (under warranty) filling the cab with smoke. After the second time I wasn’t interested in a warranty replacement and started looking for a GM substitute. The Fiero (and I believe the S10 pickup) both had heater motors that turned in the proper direction. Fiero heater motors live inside the trunk so they all look like new. I bought two of them ($5 each including the fan) at the local pick your part. The first one was working perfectly when I pulled and discarded the A/C system. So when I obtained an original recirculating heater with a dead motor, I just swapped in the Fiero motor. The spare Fiero motor remains in the basement should I need a replacement some day.

I believe I used some of the original mounting plate from the factory heater motor, along with some minor trimming, and it fit perfectly. The Fiero also has a plastic fan with a stronger pitch so it really moves a lot of air. It’s also a permanent magnet type so it’s more powerful. Eventually I’m going to run a relay on the high speed circuit, but it’s been working fine for many years the way it is.

Here’s a picture of the finished install taken through the glove box opening. (The box in the upper left is my cruise control module, not part of the heater). The rubber hose is a vent for the motor. I don’t remember what it connected to in the Pontiac, on mine I just left it resting as shown. Should you have a bit of creativity and a local source for a junk Fiero, this is a cheap workable alternative.

[IMG]http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/2381/fieromotor.jpg[/IMG]