Retro fit an 1936 ford heater

Anyone out there ever retro an original heater?

 

define retrofit

 

Is it a South Wind gasoline heater?

 

I guess I mean removing the old heater core and putting in a modern heater core

 

No it is a HaDees Standard

 

You could, if you were able to find the correct size core, which is doubtful...they are so small.

If a rad shop did it, it would be $$$

What is wrong with the old core? Most I have seen are still good, unless it was smashed or poked with a screwdriver.

The fan motor can be run on 12v with a resistor, or even the old multi speed heater switch, which is a resistor. or, use a home computer fan, they are 12v DC

 

Someone cut the ends off the pipes

 

Sounds fixable. I changed the pipes on mine, because they were not in a good place.

..any chance you can post a pic of the damage?

 

Post a photo of your heater . I have serveral and may be able to help you...

 

Here are the pics of the pipes and they are packed with rust and crap as well

 

Wow, I have never seen one with what looks like steel or iron pipes.

The core looks promising. It does not look rotted.

I try to fix what I can. If there was no way to swap out the pipes to copper pipe or copper tubing, I supppose I'd try some sort of descaling solution from the hardware store.

 

Here are a couple pics of the heater and the core

 

They are using heavy duty pipes that also act as the mounts.

Me,... I would remove those pipes from the tanks, then use copper pipe.


Then, I would make new mounting brackets to solder to the top and bottom tanks.

Mount a thin profile 12v computer fan behind it, and then it can tuck further forward under the dash. They stuck out a lot because the old fan motor and blade took a lot of room.

 

Ok cool thank you!!!!

 

I made my own heat exchanger for my Tropicaire heater out of 1/2 and 1/4 copper tubing and aluminum flashing for fins. Sorry, but I didn't take any pictures of it. Used a computer fan.

Blue

 

There were many heaters being made by differint co's back then none were factory installed only dealer or other garages installs. if your looking for og to your perticaler car ther wern't any .. In otherwords any one of the heaters from that era would be correct if thats what you are looking for. fix yours or Ill sell you a restored one.pm me if needed..John

 

Yeah I know they weren't factory I just thought since it was there maybe I would use it or I may just sell it not really sure - But thank you for your help it is greatly appreciated

 

Very cool!!! Looks like it turned out really nice!!!

 

It is easy to retrofit and down size an old heater. NAPA has a ton of cores in all sizes and price ranges. Use computer fan from Radio Shack,etc

 

Right on!! Thanx!!!