The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 1953 Chevy 3100 - Heater

Hi my name is sal .. I'm a little confused as to which heater belongs in my 1953 chevy 3100 .. I purchased a Harrison heater that bolts to the kick panel but I noticed that some trucks have the round drum looking ones ... The guy that sold it to me he's truck is a 51 and mine is a 53 ...the heater box that I bought does not have the little door in front for recirculating ... But my fire wall has all the holes already there .. But just not sure if it should be the round one or the one that bolts to kick panel and if I should have that little door that opens for recirculating ? Thxs sal

Sal,

If you could post a link to a photo, we would be know what type of heater you are referring to.

There were 2-3 GM heaters available in each 1947-1955 year. Heater were accessories (not standard equipment). Non-GM heaters were sometimes installed.

Here are 1954 heaters - 1953 heaters were similar.

Sal,

As Tim stated there are options from GM not to mention several different after market brands that are common to these trucks. Here is the picture of the two most common. These appear in the Salesman Data Books and the yearly pricing and accessory guides. As for your 1953 truck either of these would be correct.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8258511484/in/set-72157632208362076

I'm not sure how to post a link but according to your diagram I have the airflow heater .. The bottom one

Well that is the most expensive heater offered. There are several people here who have rebuilt them and converted them to 12-volt if required. There are even reproduction cores available now for them $$$. Here is a picture of all the parts required to install one. If you don't have them some are reproduced but not all. The original switch for these is the second picture.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8129470099/in/set-72157631868452754
http://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8129352382/in/set-72157631868452754

I saw those pics man is the airflow heater but it doesn't have the little door on the side .... What is the difference between the recirculating and the airflow ?

Two completely different designs, recirculating has a round core and just shuts on/off by hand for heat or defrost. It pulls air from inside the cab thus the recirculating name. The Air-Flow has a temperature control valve (varied thoughts on effectiveness) for heat control adjustment. It has a square core and pulls air from outside the truck through the passenger side louvers. It has a dash mounted cable to direct the heat/defrost function. The model with the door to dump heat right in the cab only appeared in late 1953 and carried on to 54/55.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8129369078/in/set-72157631868452754
http://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8129369936/in/set-72157631868452754

The door on the face doesn't dump heat into the cab. When the door is open it recirculates the cab air. It is connected to another door that closes the fresh air vent when the in cab door is open. Closing it draws in fresh air.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8129312977/in/set-72157631868452754/

Now do I need that door for this heater to work on my 53 cab ? I guess this heater came out of a 51 cab .. Also do u know how hard is it to change the motor to run off of 12v I don't like the voltage reducer idea. Also I have not been able to find a wiring diagram as to where the wire is connected to main harness?

sal,

The 47-52 heater will work fine in 1953 (and 54-55st). You will need the earlier controls (especially the defroster cable).

This 1951 air Flow heater instructions should explain where connections are made.

No you don't need the door. The wire goes from the ignition switch (factory instructions call it the dead terminal, switch in "off" position) to the heater switch to the motor. The motor is available from some of the suppliers that advertise here. It is a little bit of work but not bad, someone who has done it on the Air-Flow will hopefully chime in.

I replaced mine on a recurculating heater, no big deal. I made the mistake of ordering one that said it was correct for the year but turned out to be the wrong size shaft. Some are 1/4" and some are 5/16". I think the fresh air may be 5/16". Got mine at Oreilys for $30 and it had a bushing with it to 5/16". Check the thread in electrical forum for the part number if needed.

Ok kool I will try that .. Thxs you guys have been a great help ..

I wasn't sure since my heater doesn't have that little door on the side if its not original for my 53 since it did come out of a 51 .. But I only paid 40 dollars and its in excellent shape ...

Also is it a good idea to run a inline fuse from the heater switch to the heater motor?

Sal,

Here is a picture of a motor from I guy I am connected with on Flikr that works.

Brad

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ericdifate/8510131077/in/contacts/

The Stovebolt Forum Users 'Glovebox Manual'

The icon in the edit box that looks like a globe with a chain link on it. Paste url, enter/ok then type a description of the link.

-W

That's ok I'm not really sure how to post a link either ..

I have a 48 3800 with the airflow heater, but I don't see any type of temperature control. Just a fan control and a defrost redirect control. How is the temp controlled? I am tempted to add a water valve and control cable to shut off water to the core during the summer. Will this cause a problem? Am I missing some kind of controller for temperature or something, I need to drive with the windows open when it warm outside. I did read through many of the topics on heaters, but did not see an answer, sorry if this has been asked before.

Gary,

You are most likely missing the Ranco valve and control rod shown in these pictures. One shows all the parts and pieces another shows the hose routing.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8129313579/in/set-72157631868452754
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8129334838/in/set-72157631868452754
I run with my heater off and Chevrolet actually offered valves to do this as an accessory so you are fine to close it off.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8377101217/in/set-72157631868452754
I run mine shut-off with a custom set of valves I made.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/advance-design_parts_co/8129182239/in/set-72157631867396207

KMAC

Yes, I'm definitely missing the Ranco valve, not sure if the one ton had one from the factory. Either way, I'm adding a valve. I'll use it as an on off valve for a while and if I need to I'll had a control cable.
Thanks

How much more difficult is it to find the round type? I have a couple of the other one (one without the front door and another with the door and linkage). I have good heater cores for both, but I wouldn't mind one of the round ones although I hear replacement cores for them are $$$ and a half! The recirc doors/linkage on the one I've got isn't in the best shape and is tougher to install and the round one looks sort of... simpler.

The round ones were a less expensive accesory, so I'd bet they were more commonly bought.

The recirculating heater core is $289 (Jim Carter) and it needs to be installed/soldered ( $300 for this core/motor/plumbing replacement). There might not be a 53-55 "deluxe" heater core available - the 47-52 core (ready to install) is $170.

You are right Tim. I have one of each. The one with the extra cable and doors would allow you to bake bread inside the cab, or at least melt the shoes off the ole lady.
Carl

I have a recirculating heater as shown here

Do I simply need to mount a blockoff plate on the inner kickpanel to block off the louvers or is there a door that mounts there for opening and closing similar to what I recall being on a '64 c-10?

1951 3100?

Block off rectangular plate at ride side kick-panel and on firewall (unnedded motor opening).

Jim Carter sells both.

Yes, '51 3100. Thanks!