Hot Rods What heater is in YOUR hot rod?

Here you go. A Rodders Digest how to from Lane Anderson along with a list of NAPA part numbers

 

I bought a vintage air/heat unit and really didn't plan on using the air but since it was there I hooked it up also.

I drove my old beater for almost 30 years without heat and I drove my car year round, I got to admit heat and aid feels pretty good on these old bones, I do dislike the look of the plumbing under the hood so I just leave it closed. HRP

 

In my '42 Ford I put in one like the one TomT has. In my Model A I put in a "Zesto" heater from the Jurassic period. (Thanks, Roger F.) Try to find one of those some time. For running a 6 volt fan on 12 volts I use a Mopar ignition resistor. It has 2 resistors in one ceramic little block. One side of the thing resists too much. The other runs the fan a little faster than at 6 volts but I haven't had any problems with it.

 

I managed to cram a Vintage Air Gen IV Magnum AC/heat unit under the dash of my '60 Falcon.

Not sure what is going to go in the Model A. That will depend on what space is left over.

 

Vintage Air for my 66 Suburban, seat heaters in the bucket seats in my roadster.

 

Right now the only heat I have is through the hole in the floor I cut to put the 4 speed through. Once warmed up there is a decent amount. Once I finish the interior there will be none.

 

A number of years ago I picked up a vintage NOS heater for my ‘42 FARGO. Not sure if it’s Mopar or not but it is interesting. Exhaust gasses heats up a little chamber with air which then enters the cabin. Don’t think I described it as well as I should but it will be great when I actually install it...

 

This Tropic Aire heater was in my truck cab when I got it. The core was junk so I made one out of copper tubes and aluminum flashing material. I used a 12 volt computer fan and it works pretty good. I think it would get pretty toasty in there if I had door glass.

Gary

 

Cab heater in Massey grain combine works great. It's 12volt, a square box aprox 7' x 7" x 7" I have installed them in 2 hot rods. I covered one with stainless steel sheeting which I engine turned. They are usually in good shape as they are only used a couple weeks a year. Greg White

 

in the 33 I have an uninsulated firewall, lol. Great for winter and terrible in the summer.

 

The original, had it cooked and cleaned by a radiator shop in Lampasas, Tx. I still use the original switch that lights up when turned on. Heats and defrosts like it did when it was new!!!

 

Arvin heater with a 7" Spal fan and a two speed Ron Francis switch.

 

I daily drive my 32 year round plus I travel in it up to 8 hrs one way to see family and I’m tired of freezing my ass off

 

I’ve got an Arvin like that one, I also found a Hadee’s in a buddys stash last night, I think I may send that one out to the chromer this afternoon to get a freshen up!!!

thanks for sharing guys!!

 

A heater would be nice, but I'm already cramped for space, and not sure where it would even fit?

 

Nice 7 year old revival on the thread, anyone using an off the shelf, current production heater/defroster?
Looking for something for a 1952 Pontiac Catalina build. all the original was gone when I got it, to make room for a 350 and power disk brakes

 

I know this an old thread but some of buddies some heated seat kits. They're about 50 bucks or so.

 

Bought here in the parts for sale. Repaired the core. Upgraded to a 12 volt fan. Heat and defrost. Works the cat’s pajamas. Snowman ⛄️

 

A gas Tropic Aire converted to electric. Vintage look and functions without the problems of plumbing gasoline into the passenger compartment.

 

The factory option under seat heater works quite well to heat the cabin- a smaller heater core with separate fan would work for defrost?

 

They aren't that hard to make and you can make whatever size fits your car/seat.

 

That's what's under the chair- it's about 8x12". The original honeycomb matrix isn't bad but there are significantly more efficient ones available now- the duct to introduce air to it is 6" round and can shift a lot of air though. I run the original 6V fan at 12V and while effective, doesn't allow enough time for the air to be heated hot enough you want to move your hand away, however that volume of air is mighty effective at clearing the screen.


It did however meet independent adjudicator approval- the dog didn't want to get out of the car because it was warm...!

I would suggest the original fan unit, as that has takeoffs for the floor and screen and the floor duct is selectable on/off up under the wheel well, even with the defrost unit missing. The defrost unit has a flap in to control air to the screen which you'd be missing. Run the smaller pipe up into the cabin and put it through a heater matrix under the dash to the defrost and select that with a flap in the pipe to it.

Phil

 

I also have a old fashion Smith & Wesson 38 as a additional heater. HRP

 

In my roadster, water heater converted to electric ceramic element. Heat and defrost.

 

Had these sewn into my seat for the coupe. Works awesome and helps your back feel real good on long trips.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002U6IL9O/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Just a headsup on seat heaters...........
I'm sure nowadays most are made offshore, I'd recommend getting the good ones, some of the cheaper ones have been known to FAIL.

 

The ones I posted are built for GM and are exactly what they use on the assembly line for exactly what DDDenny is saying.

 

The heater in my F-100 is the factory original, still works.

 

10ga. Floor and firewall, hood and hood sides. Works great in Nor Cali. winters. Haven’t found the off button for summer yet.

 

THAT is a good looking co-pilot you've got there!