1964 Heater

[Born Lucky]

As I go through my truck, fixing this and that. I am about to look into my heating system. I have the basic heater for my 1964.
What I want to know is how good does the system work. At the present moment it does a terrible job heating and defrosting. What can I expect?
The way it is I would need a supplement electric heater for the winter.

[64GMCHorsepower]

Mine didn't work worth a squat. Plus on most of these trucks, there was no insulation, holes everywhere where grommet were gone....it's like a big wind tunnel.....

[Captainfab]

There were 3 different heaters offered. It sounds like you have the recirculating heater. Those don't work worth a crap in cold climates. Is your heater completely under the dash, with nothing in the engine compartment? If so you may want to look into upgrading to either the Thriftair or the Deluxe heater.

[Born Lucky]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

There were 3 different heaters offered. It sounds like you have the recirculating heater. Those don't work worth a crap in cold climates. Is your heater completely under the dash, with nothing in the engine compartment? If so you may want to look into upgrading to either the Thriftair or the Deluxe heater.

The heater core and motor are secured on the fire wall and the rest of the unit is in the cab.

[5264chevytrucks]

Originally Posted by Born Lucky

The heater core and motor are secured on the fire wall and the rest of the unit is in the cab.

I was having the same problem that you were. I changed the heater core out on my 64. It has the exact same style that you have. Once I changed it out, it would roast me out of the truck. The heater core is inexpensive. You can get one at advance, napa, autozone... It is a 30 minute fix. Just open the top of the heater core box in the engine bay, and you will easily be able to see how to take it out. I would also, once I have the heater core out, clean out any debris in the box. I had a bunch of leaves and dirt in mine. This resticted the air flow.

[aerotruk63]

94788 heater core from Spectra Premium.

[chevy_mike]

I just tried out my heater the last week for the first time and had to say I was surprised it worked well. Granted we don't get that cold but was surprised the 3 speed fan work, the vents switched (manual lever under dash to switch between floor or defrost) fine. Actually happy it's something I don't have to mess with.

[61_FL_Apache]

Who needs heat? LOL

[JimQ]

Just finished getting my Deluxe heat up and running. I picked up the truck this summer and the heater was a disaster.

All 3 levers were broke off the controller. The blower motor switch was bad. The blower motor resistor was bad. All 3 cables were pretty well frozen. AND the duct work to the defrost vents was trashed.

After about $80 and a few hours work, she works like a champ. I love these old trucks!

Q

[Born Lucky]

Originally Posted by JimQ

Just finished getting my Deluxe heat up and running. I picked up the truck this summer and the heater was a disaster.

All 3 levers were broke off the controller. The blower motor switch was bad. The blower motor resistor was bad. All 3 cables were pretty well frozen. AND the duct work to the defrost vents was trashed.

After about $80 and a few hours work, she works like a champ. I love these old trucks!

Q

Tell me how you spent $80.00.
Everytime I told something it costs well into $100.00 or more.

[protrash64]

Born; I would check the air flow/ leak situation as mentioned earlier. My 'burb has the deluxe heat and in winter (not that cold) it cooked me in about 5 minutes of driving. I'm sure it would work well in colder areas.

[lakeroadster]

Originally Posted by Born Lucky

What can I expect?

I have the same heater as you and it is more than adequate. If the fan is working and the manual defrost / heater flapper is working the only thing left is to pull the heater core and get it checked. If it's bad, repair or replace.

Hope this helps!

[bubba327]

I had the thrift-air core in the 64.( it was leaking and needed replaced) I found the deluxe core is bigger and fits by simply removing the extra width in the heater box. The notch is already cast in the aluminum. I used a die grinder to trim things up. No other changes are necessary to accommodate the bigger core. The hose fittings are identical.
Lots of heat coming out now.
My local independent parts house had it on the shelf but it had years of dust on the box.

[Captainfab]

Were you able to still use the little factory support bracket on the heater core tubes? They look a little different on the new core.

Originally Posted by bubba327

Attachment 639003
I had the thrift-air core in the 64.( it was leaking and needed replaced) I found the deluxe core is bigger and fits by simply removing the extra width in the heater box. The notch is already cast in the aluminum. I used a die grinder to trim things up. No other changes are necessary to accommodate the bigger core. The hose fittings are identical.
Lots of heat coming out now.
My local independent parts house had it on the shelf but it had years of dust on the box.

[Born Lucky]

Originally Posted by bubba327

Attachment 639003
I had the thrift-air core in the 64.( it was leaking and needed replaced) I found the deluxe core is bigger and fits by simply removing the extra width in the heater box. The notch is already cast in the aluminum. I used a die grinder to trim things up. No other changes are necessary to accommodate the bigger core. The hose fittings are identical.
Lots of heat coming out now.
My local independent parts house had it on the shelf but it had years of dust on the box.

Wow big size different!
What are the dimensions of the deluxe heater, so I can compare.
I plan on looking into this heater situation soon as winter nears.

[bubba327]

Thriftair core is 7 1/4" L --6 3/8" W -- 2 1/2" H
Deluxe core is 9 1/2" L --6 3/8" W -- 2 1/2" H
I believe these dimensions were found in the LMC catalog
The factory original saddle support straps were re-used on the new core.
Two new 1/8" holes did need redrilled for the strap mounts
I recall using some high temp silicone caulk for cushion/adhesive on the straps around the tanks.
Have some more pictures over in my build thread "bubbas recycling project"
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...65170&page=6Os
post # 127 and 132

[Touchdown67]

Originally Posted by JimQ

Just finished getting my Deluxe heat up and running. I picked up the truck this summer and the heater was a disaster.

All 3 levers were broke off the controller. The blower motor switch was bad. The blower motor resistor was bad. All 3 cables were pretty well frozen. AND the duct work to the defrost vents was trashed.

After about $80 and a few hours work, she works like a champ. I love these old trucks!

Q

I am re doing my Dlx. Heater and I was wondering if you can tell me where you found the resistor?
Thank you,

[trevota]

my basic heater works awesome!

[rustyrodknocker]

my burb gets warm when your just about there. several years ago i put a new fan for a square with ac in my father inlaws 70 burb. that thing changed everything. somebody I worked with recommended it. been wondering about putting one in the 66.

[Rich 5150 69]

Originally Posted by Touchdown67

I am re doing my Dlx. Heater and I was wondering if you can tell me where you found the resistor?
Thank you,

LMC carries the resistor.....

[64LBSS]

Hey folks, new here.. Curious if someone could explain the specific differences in the different heater setups. I believe mine has a basic heater, I re wired temporarily with a one switch, fan motor only adjustment.. I've scavenged the deluxe controls I think.. Just looking for some insight.

Thanks
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[63burban]

Flush out with the garden hose or blow out the heater core with compressed air. Make sure your ducts are clear of debris and the defroster hoses are good. Make sure you blower motor runs nice, if not install a new motor. There isn't much to these heaters no matter which system you have. Just adding a little WI winter knowledge.

[da_bears_da1]

I have the thriftair setup on mine. I am building a custom truck with lots of chrome on the engine. I like the clean look of the basic heater that is in the cab with nothing on the firewall. Don't need much heat since i plan on just going to shows and meets with it. Any idea where I can get the basic heater setup?
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[7shotguns]

I have a 1966 c10 and when I turn the heater on it have a bunch of dirt and debris blowing out of my vents. How can I stop this. Same thing happens when I open the side vents below my dash in the summer. Please help
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[PGSigns]

You should start a new thread and put your problems in the title. It will get a lot more response. To help with the problem you have Pull the cowl cover (the slotted panel the your wipers come through)off the truck and clean out under it. Next take the top off the heater box under the hood and clean it out. Last take the shop vac and vacuum out behind your lower vents in the cab. The bottoms of those have been known to rust out and be open to the eliments.
Jimmy