The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1953 Deluxe Heater Questions?

I am installing a '53 deluxe heater into my 1951 truck; however, I do have a couple of questions for the Gurus out there.

1. On the outside at the firewall there seems to be a trim around the motor but I can't find it on any catalog...what is it? Is it a metal trim (that's what it looks like to me)or a rubber gasket? It appears to be held in place with 3 bolts. I see in catalos a gasket kit with a round gasket but I would have assume to go between the inside of the firewall and the body of the heater???? Doesn't it?
2.The heater has a metal flat on the side that opens and closes (it faces the cab) How does it operates? It appears as if a cable should attach to it to open and close.
3. The defroster lever has a white end, a plastic cap. It appears to be used by hand but most pictures I see these are connected to a round end and a wire....

Any info would be greatly appreciated like always. Thx

The heater motor sticks through the firewall...I'm thinking its a fresh air heater. There is a metal trim ring that has a gasket behind it that goes to the outside of the firewall.(under the hood) Mine was already out so I can't give you "exact" details but I think the bolts go through and hold the motor...but not sure. You can make your own gasket out of just about anything.
If you don't find it send me a PM and I'll trace off mine and then you can make your own out of a piece of some appropiate metal. I have mind laying on a table now.

If you don't have a repair manual you will benefit from getting one. There are some on line if you like to check them out.

Since I haven't actually done my heater yet someone else that has will come along soon and maybe help you out more. In the meatime check out the link below.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/

The 1954-55 deluxe heater is called an Air Flow heater because it has the interior door/flap.

1. The ring/rubber-seal on the firewall (around the motor) is available from Jim Carter.

2. That door is opening by a cable that usually runs under the dash to a mounting bracket to the left of the steering wheel. I do not know who sells this cable/knob assembly.

3. The 53-55 heater's defroster lever is just as you describe - it has a lever that you move with your hand. In earlier A-D years, the Fresh Air defroster was controlled by a cable similar to the cable used in 1953-55 for the interior Air Flow door (in #3, above).

Other deluxe heater gaskets/seals are available from Jim Carter and from Chevs of the 40s .

Ok, this helps me alot.

Let me just see if I understand....from the Jim Carter page above...If the dealer would have installed the fresh air heater then, they would have removed part MEH252 and MEH253, since these were blank plates? and instlled MEH254 on the firewall instead along with the heating unit?

The heater gaskets below MEH200on same page, I would assume one (rectangular) would go between the heater and the cowl kick panel? and the round one just underneath part MEH254???


Is this correct???

That looks right to me.

You'll use ME258 (two pieces) in the holes that the heater hoses pass through the cowl/fire-wall.