inefficient heater - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

casey · 11-22-2003, 04:02 PM

why do they have to put such inefficient heaters in vehicles, never had a vehicle with what I would call a good heater, and most fans couldn't blow out a candle, anyone have this grip, and what to do about it Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr, dam its cold here

krue · 11-22-2003, 04:30 PM

Quote:

anyone have this grip, and what to do about it Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr, dam its cold here

Move down South. It's a partly cloudy 70 degrees today!

Class of 69 · 11-22-2003, 04:49 PM

If you're referring to your truck, casey, you may need to adjust the cables for air flow. My 69 blows a lot of volume, and will cook ya out after a short time! Make sure the mice haven't built a nest in the diverter box! Seems to be a favorite place in mine!

cdowns · 11-22-2003, 05:09 PM

or the heater phlenum could be filled with crap

Blazer1970 · 11-22-2003, 06:23 PM

Yup, if everything is working right, no rats nests and a 195 degree thermostat, these trucks have an awesome heater.

**StingRay** · 11-22-2003, 06:48 PM

My heater wasn't up to snuff a couple of weeks back and I can't fit the truck in the garage so I took it to my buddy that has a rad shop. The core was plugged and was able to be rodded out (most are not worth it) the air door was out of adjustment and the plenum around the core was plugged with crap. He had to completely disassemble the housings to get all of the crap (dead leaves and such) out. It blows so hot now you can't keep your hand over the def vent and it's -25 degrees C out there today.

breeh · 11-22-2003, 06:51 PM

Mine will cook you out too. Check for holes in the firewall and a good seal on your fresh air doors. These things will cool you down quick if your driving around below 32 deg F.

casey · 11-22-2003, 08:16 PM

Krue I'd move in a heart beat if I could, but in reality, looks like my heater system needs some attention, if you guys are getting good results, then mine must need some work, I'll start with your guys suggestions, thanks

69 air cab · 11-22-2003, 08:27 PM

It's got to just need a good cleaning. I recently removed my blower and it had about two hand fulls of junk in it. Years ago I took a hose and ran high pressure backwards to clean out and that helped on an old 49 I had.

krue · 11-22-2003, 08:29 PM

Wuz just funning you, my blower motor doesn't work but the radiated heat is enough to get the cab hot. Like the guys said if working properly it should run you out of there.

Longhorn Man · 11-22-2003, 10:24 PM

ONe thing, if your truck originally came with A/C, the heater will put out more air flow, and i am willing to bet quite a bit more heat too. I have never seena non A/C truck that would "run you outa the cab", but every A/C truck i have ridden in would make you sweat though.
My heater is marginal at best.

dinnut · 11-22-2003, 11:21 PM

neither of my heaters work. it really sucks. but i dont drive them yet so im ok with it. eventually vintage air i hope

FRENCHBLUE72 · 11-22-2003, 11:26 PM

Both the heter's I have suck. The blazer is like trying to warm up an ice box and the truck is so/so on the heat department. Both are non a/c truck's.

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 11-23-2003, 01:55 AM

I just totally redid mine awhile back and it's on a non-A/C cab and it will run you out of the cab even on the coldest days!!

alta-aj · 11-23-2003, 02:00 AM

Although I haven'd done this as I haven't seen it necessary, I've heard that putting a fan for an airconditioned truck into one without air conditionong helps a lot. If any one does this, let us all know.

cableguy0 · 11-23-2003, 02:02 AM

my non ac truck will run you outta the cab after 15 minutes or less. most of the time in the dead of winter i will have at least one wing window open just so its nice and comfy. there is no junk in my heater box and my heater core is fairly new

ZOOMY · 11-23-2003, 04:12 AM

I plow snow in my non-A/C truck in very cold weather with just a shirt on my upper torso. I have 3 other non-A/C trucks that heat just as well. Like stated above, they have to be maintained for coolant flow & air flow. I did have an A/C blower motor in there for awhile & it did flow more air.........Zoomy

Longhorn Man · 11-23-2003, 02:06 PM

THis is interesting.
Mine has a new blower (non A/C..I was concerned about putting that many amps in the harness that was not designed for it) , a new heater core, minimal crap in the heater box and I warm up the cab more when i fart than whats coming out the vents.
I do admit and realize that I have quite a drafty truck, however, the air temp coming out the vents is hardly enough to defog...let alone defrost my glass.

krue · 11-23-2003, 02:52 PM

Mine will defog w/o a blower at all. You need to check your heater dude! Especially living way up north and all.

BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 · 11-23-2003, 03:14 PM

Yeah, even before I fixed the blower mine would still defog the windows. If yours does not run you out of the cab or make you turn it down/off, or open a window/vent window then there is a problem some where!!! All 3 of mine will make it very hot in the cab, I also worked on a buddy's and got it working like that and he has NO lower kick panel vents, only gaping holes!! Check to make sure the hoses are routed properly and are in good shape, check the thermostat, check the heater box for trash and to make sure it's seals are good, check the heater core, check your door flappers to make sure that they are operating properly, check the cables to make sure that they are actually moving all the way that their supposed to, and then check your switch to make sure ALL THREE positions work, then you could close any obivious holes that you may have. After doing this you should have no problems.

mrein3 · 11-23-2003, 03:20 PM

I recently converted my non-AC cab to an AC cab. BOTH configurations, when I have everything working right, will get too hot if you let it run.

One easy thing to try if you're not getting much heat is to burp and fill your radiator. If you don't have an overflow bottle on your radiator, and most of us don't, you may have some water capacity that is currently full of air.

Also as far as I know there is no difference in the blower fans.

Longhorn Man · 11-23-2003, 03:24 PM

There is a differance..the A/C one is rated at more amps, and spins faster. The A/C trucks have a blower relay for the hi position where the non A/C do not.

Longhorn Man · 11-25-2003, 01:28 AM

Hmmm, thanks for bringing this thread up. Had it not been mentioned, i would have never realized how drafty my cab actually is.
I warmed up the engine and fired up the heater. I still have my summer T-stat in there, but a 195 degree one will find it's way in there shortly.
With the engine at 170-ish, I was 120 degree air out the vents. Since even after an hr of driving, the air temp was no more than 60 degrees, I guess most my heat is going right out the seals and holes.

11-22-2003, 04:02 PM	#1
casey Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada Posts: 2,048	inefficient heaters why do they have to put such inefficient heaters in vehicles, never had a vehicle with what I would call a good heater, and most fans couldn't blow out a candle, anyone have this grip, and what to do about it Brrrrrrrrrrrrrr, dam its cold here Last edited by casey; 11-22-2003 at 04:17 PM.

11-22-2003, 04:49 PM	#3
Class of 69 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Stillwater MN Posts: 1,166	If you're referring to your truck, casey, you may need to adjust the cables for air flow. My 69 blows a lot of volume, and will cook ya out after a short time! Make sure the mice haven't built a nest in the diverter box! Seems to be a favorite place in mine! __________________ 69 GMC K10 ..some restoration required....still..

11-22-2003, 05:09 PM	#4
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	or the heater phlenum could be filled with crap __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

11-22-2003, 06:23 PM	#5
Blazer1970 Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Old Mission, MI, USA Posts: 2,507	Yup, if everything is working right, no rats nests and a 195 degree thermostat, these trucks have an awesome heater. __________________ Tim

11-22-2003, 06:48 PM	#6
StingRay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Saskatoon,SK,Canada Posts: 2,476	My heater wasn't up to snuff a couple of weeks back and I can't fit the truck in the garage so I took it to my buddy that has a rad shop. The core was plugged and was able to be rodded out (most are not worth it) the air door was out of adjustment and the plenum around the core was plugged with crap. He had to completely disassemble the housings to get all of the crap (dead leaves and such) out. It blows so hot now you can't keep your hand over the def vent and it's -25 degrees C out there today. __________________ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada

11-22-2003, 06:51 PM	#7
breeh Recovering 67-72 Addict Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Bend, WA Posts: 1,788	Mine will cook you out too. Check for holes in the firewall and a good seal on your fresh air doors. These things will cool you down quick if your driving around below 32 deg F. __________________ 68 Short Fleet 4x4; 427; BTO Level 3 700R4; NP205; Dana 60 front and rear; 4" lift with 35's; Disc brakes; AGR variable ratio steering; factory bucket seats; factory tach and tilt. "Friends call me cruzer cuz I like fast cars and fast women"

11-22-2003, 08:16 PM	#8
casey Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kelowna B.C. Canada Posts: 2,048	Krue I'd move in a heart beat if I could, but in reality, looks like my heater system needs some attention, if you guys are getting good results, then mine must need some work, I'll start with your guys suggestions, thanks Last edited by casey; 11-22-2003 at 08:19 PM.

11-22-2003, 08:27 PM	#9
69 air cab Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Maryville, TN Posts: 477	It's got to just need a good cleaning. I recently removed my blower and it had about two hand fulls of junk in it. Years ago I took a hose and ran high pressure backwards to clean out and that helped on an old 49 I had.

11-22-2003, 08:29 PM	#10
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Wuz just funning you, my blower motor doesn't work but the radiated heat is enough to get the cab hot. Like the guys said if working properly it should run you out of there. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

11-22-2003, 10:24 PM	#11
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	ONe thing, if your truck originally came with A/C, the heater will put out more air flow, and i am willing to bet quite a bit more heat too. I have never seena non A/C truck that would "run you outa the cab", but every A/C truck i have ridden in would make you sweat though. My heater is marginal at best.

11-22-2003, 11:21 PM	#12
dinnut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: missouri city, tx Posts: 4,486	neither of my heaters work. it really sucks. but i dont drive them yet so im ok with it. eventually vintage air i hope __________________ 70 longbed 496/th400/Ford 9"

11-22-2003, 11:26 PM	#13
FRENCHBLUE72 PROJECT 7DEUCE Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: GRANTS PASS OR Posts: 21,606	Both the heter's I have suck. The blazer is like trying to warm up an ice box and the truck is so/so on the heat department. Both are non a/c truck's. __________________ GO BIG GREEN GO DUCKS MEMBER #6377 72 k-5 daily driver 6'' lift 35'' 350-350-205 slowly getting rust free. Project "7DEUCE" check out my build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=267665 Tim Powell..R.I.P EastSideLowlife..... R.I.P..

11-23-2003, 01:55 AM	#14
BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 Firefighter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yellville, Ar, USA Posts: 1,943	I just totally redid mine awhile back and it's on a non-A/C cab and it will run you out of the cab even on the coldest days!! __________________ '72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA

11-23-2003, 02:00 AM	#15
alta-aj Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Qualicum Beach, B.C>, Canada Posts: 117	Put an AC fan into your non-AC truck Although I haven'd done this as I haven't seen it necessary, I've heard that putting a fan for an airconditioned truck into one without air conditionong helps a lot. If any one does this, let us all know.

11-23-2003, 02:02 AM	#16
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	my non ac truck will run you outta the cab after 15 minutes or less. most of the time in the dead of winter i will have at least one wing window open just so its nice and comfy. there is no junk in my heater box and my heater core is fairly new __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.



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11-23-2003, 04:12 AM	#17
ZOOMY Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: WIS Posts: 1,752	heater I plow snow in my non-A/C truck in very cold weather with just a shirt on my upper torso. I have 3 other non-A/C trucks that heat just as well. Like stated above, they have to be maintained for coolant flow & air flow. I did have an A/C blower motor in there for awhile & it did flow more air.........Zoomy

11-23-2003, 02:06 PM	#18
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	THis is interesting. Mine has a new blower (non A/C..I was concerned about putting that many amps in the harness that was not designed for it) , a new heater core, minimal crap in the heater box and I warm up the cab more when i fart than whats coming out the vents. I do admit and realize that I have quite a drafty truck, however, the air temp coming out the vents is hardly enough to defog...let alone defrost my glass.

11-23-2003, 02:52 PM	#19
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,448	Mine will defog w/o a blower at all. You need to check your heater dude! Especially living way up north and all. __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

11-23-2003, 03:14 PM	#20
BLACK AND BLUE 67-72 Firefighter Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Yellville, Ar, USA Posts: 1,943	Yeah, even before I fixed the blower mine would still defog the windows. If yours does not run you out of the cab or make you turn it down/off, or open a window/vent window then there is a problem some where!!! All 3 of mine will make it very hot in the cab, I also worked on a buddy's and got it working like that and he has NO lower kick panel vents, only gaping holes!! Check to make sure the hoses are routed properly and are in good shape, check the thermostat, check the heater box for trash and to make sure it's seals are good, check the heater core, check your door flappers to make sure that they are operating properly, check the cables to make sure that they are actually moving all the way that their supposed to, and then check your switch to make sure ALL THREE positions work, then you could close any obivious holes that you may have. After doing this you should have no problems. __________________ '72 Chevy SWB 350 Auto '67 GMC LWB 350 4 speed '70 Chevy 4x4 Stepside 350 Auto Yellville, Ar. USA

11-23-2003, 03:20 PM	#21
mrein3 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Center City, MN, USA Posts: 3,254	I recently converted my non-AC cab to an AC cab. BOTH configurations, when I have everything working right, will get too hot if you let it run. One easy thing to try if you're not getting much heat is to burp and fill your radiator. If you don't have an overflow bottle on your radiator, and most of us don't, you may have some water capacity that is currently full of air. Also as far as I know there is no difference in the blower fans. __________________ '70 cab, '71 chassis, 383, TH350, NP205. '71 Malibu convertible '72 Malibu hard top Center City, MN

11-23-2003, 03:24 PM	#22
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	There is a differance..the A/C one is rated at more amps, and spins faster. The A/C trucks have a blower relay for the hi position where the non A/C do not.

11-25-2003, 01:28 AM	#23
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Hmmm, thanks for bringing this thread up. Had it not been mentioned, i would have never realized how drafty my cab actually is. I warmed up the engine and fired up the heater. I still have my summer T-stat in there, but a 195 degree one will find it's way in there shortly. With the engine at 170-ish, I was 120 degree air out the vents. Since even after an hr of driving, the air temp was no more than 60 degrees, I guess most my heat is going right out the seals and holes.

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