Heater. Economy or duluxe?

[wwdd77]

Im trying to decide which heater i want to install in my 65 gmc. Trucks all apart, so either is an option since i have access.
Have an economy unit and deluxe that i took out of it. Thinking i want the economy unit to clean up the engine bay, but curious whos running the recirculating unit and if they are happy with it and it does a good enough job.

Ls swap (5.3) is in progress (as well as a bunch more) but the ac compressor stock location has interference with my motor mount bracket and frame, so while ac would be real nice, its not a priority yet. Vintage air would solve issue, but dont know if i want to drop the coin. Keeping options open for another time either way.

Who's running a recirculating heater and happy with it? Do you wish you had a deluxe?

Im in the midwest, and not a daily driver or winter truck.

Opinions?

[LostMy65]

Http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post7464534

[frankslagoon]

I have a econo heater in my 63. works pretty good to about 10 above. like ya say it's a nice clean unit. bad news is it does recurculate the cab air. I have to crack a wing window when it's cold out to get the moist air out. I bet it's really bad with two people in the truck. If I was gona drive the trk all winter I would probably wish I had a better system. two people 20 below, you'd have the windows cracked and be workin hard to keep the windshield defrosted.

[wwdd77]

I think I am going to go economy recirculating. I'm not anticipating real cold weather driving, not saying I won't, but not likely. Too much salt around here to ruin all my hand work.

I tinkering with the idea of tapping into the side cowl vent for fresh air (keeping in mind to keep water from entering), or weather (pun intended) to just to suck it up. It's a 50 year old truck with a modern drive train but cheap/outdated ventilation system.. lol

[AcampoDave]

I've had both, but hands down the fresh air heater is the one for me. I don't even need the fan when the truck is in motion...and the defrost works well. I put a shut off vavle on the water pump too for summer. That way when it's shut off my heater works as a vent.

[wwdd77]

Originally Posted by AcampoDave

I've had both, but hands down the fresh air heater is the one for me. I don't even need the fan when the truck is in motion...and the defrost works well. I put a shut off vavle on the water pump too for summer. That way when it's shut off my heater works as a vent.

I am thinking of doing something similar to the shutoff valve, but was thinking a solenoid valve for a bypass valve for coolant and it into my stock levers. I'm having a hard time ditching all the stock stuff for updated stuff, so I'm at trying to keep the look of old/stock.

I Swapped to a 90 tilt sgift column and brake booster and still kinda want the hand lever parking brake. I don't know if it make it.

[Mjminino]

Originally Posted by AcampoDave

I've had both, but hands down the fresh air heater is the one for me. I don't even need the fan when the truck is in motion...and the defrost works well. I put a shut off vavle on the water pump too for summer. That way when it's shut off my heater works as a vent.

Do you have a picture of your shut off valve?

[AcampoDave]

If you do this, just dont over tighten the fitting in the pump. I cracked a Chinese made aluminum one on my first try. (Probably for the best anyhow)