The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Changing heater in a 1954 chevy from 6v to 12v.

Old heater is a 6 volt, want a 12 volt.

Anyone know what newer style heater might fit and work well?

Thanks.

Hmn, does the 6v heater work? Does it hold coolant/water?

If so, don't ya just need a different 12v fan and the related wiring to go inside the cage/round part within the heater unit?

-W

I replaced the 6v blower motor in my '54 with a 12v motor from a '60 Impala. Most people use an aftermarket 12v motor from an auto supply house. Some have inserted the aftermarket motor inside their old 6v housing. If your 6v motor works and you decide to remove the guts from it to insert an after market 12v motor, PLEASE don't destroy yours -- instead ask other Stovebolters if they would trade their non-working motor for your working motor.

< click > to read the saga of my heater rehab and motor conversion. There are links in the post to Deve Krehbiel's heater rehab including how he inserted a 12v motor inside his 6v housing. Other links showing how DADS50 used a 12v motor inside his 6v housing. Plus a discussion of the types of 12v motors available to use as-is, without inserting inside a 6v housing.

I'm not sure if the resistor in your 6v heater fan switch can survive 12 volts. Brad Allen is the resident heater switch expert. He can tell you what to do. Try not to destroy your working 6v heater switch - they are pretty rare, too.

Do a search on Stovebolt for more info on your heater. There is a lot of good info.

Good luck.

Wow thanks, wealth of info. I'll check the old one to see if it works and for sure not toss any parts.

I reread Gus's reply (DADS50) to my questions about my heater. If your 6v blower motor works, then I agree with what he said ...

As Woogeroo noted - check your heater core for leaks and flow. Also check the Ranco valve that controls the heat. They are available rebuilt - not cheap. Or, search Stovebolt for instructions on rebuilding. Reproduction heat control rod and brackets for the rod and air control are available from a few parts suppliers. New defroster hose - cloth or plastic - is available from parts suppliers. Some heaters use 2"diam and some use 1-3/4"diam. Reproduction defroster vents are available from the suppliers. "Real" ones are sometimes on ebay or available from other Stovebolters. Here are pics and details by Brad Allen.

The '54 windshield garnish strip has stand-off clips under it that allow the defroster air to blow onto the windshield. Check to see if they are still there.Here are pics of them by Tim Lederman.

Here are pics of the stand-off clips that I made.

This is the full post about the clips.

thanks alot Ended up getting a 12 volt motor for $24 from NAPA Have a small leak in the core which is getting assessed now