All about heaters.

[jonzcustomshop]

I went through quite a rodeo yesterday putting a good heater in my wifes 63.
found out a bunch of stuff about interchange.

I will list off what I found out, and try to get some pics up soon.

please add info if you have it.
If I have any of this wrong, let me know and I will edit it in.

As far as I know there are 4 heater options 60-66 chev and gmc.
1) no heater: firewall delete plates- 60-66 (upper delete plate is the same all years, lower is 60-61, and then 62-66)
2) cheap heater: "recirculating", core and fan inside cab- 60-63
3) cheap heater: "thrift-air", same as deluxe, smaller core but only 1 knob for fan and air.-64-66
4) deluxe heater: "deluxe", core and fan in engine compartment.-60-66

All I can talk about now is the deluxe models, as I don't have any cheaper ones.
60-63 all have the same box on the firewall, it is shorter and more rectangular than the 64-66 which looks like gm modified so that a paper element air cleaner would fit with the V8. this one is longer (towards the front) and has an angle notch on the engine side.
my 60 fan had a longer motor and an electrical connection that looked similar to a thumb tack.
it also had a lower bracket that bolted through the fire wall.
although different it did fit on the 63-66 boxes.
the 63-66 fans all looked the same, with a regular plug in connection.
all the ones I had have a metal squirrel cage, except 1 which was plastic. (66, or replacement?)

the holes through the fire wall look to be the same 60-66, however my 60, and my 63 both had provisions for the heater fan bracket.

I was able to install a 64-66 box on the firewall on my 63, but I had to drill a hole 1 inch closer the fender to mount it (64-66 boxes have a 1 inch wider mount than a 60-63.)
I also had to drill a different hole for the "heat" control cable, those also come through the firewall in a different spot.

[jonzcustomshop]

some stuff I found inside the cab:
"no heater" will come with a block out plate on the dash, 60-63 are the same, and 64-66 are the same, chev and gmc.

The 60-63 recirculating heater uses 2 switches (1 fan,1 air), this is mounted in a 4 switch deluxe plate, however the two
outer slots are not cut through in the plastic backing.

the deluxe heater uses 4 controls on 60-63, and 3 on 64-66.
60-63 had a separate fan lever/switch, and 64-6 integrated the fan control and switch with the air lever.

both my 64 chev, and gmc have a thrift-air heater, they use 1 knob that pulls out to control the air vent, and spins to turn the fan on.these heaters have a manual lever that you can switch under the dash (radio) to turn the defrost on and off.
the thrift-air knob is mounted on a 64-66 heater block out plate.

deluxe heater 60-66,and 64-66 thrift -air:
under the dash is an air tube (square) which houses the electrical switch and air control flap, and an air box, which houses the defrost flap. these are 2 separate pieces, and will interchange.

the air tube has a switch/electrical connection on the back side.
60-63 it is a snap in piece, 64-66 it bolts on. the electrical connector looks to be the same all years.
the 64-66 air tube has a square hole cut in the front right in front of the air flap, the 60-63 does not.

the air box 60-63: the defrost hoses are 2 inch od.,and 64-66 (all) are 2 1/2 inch od.
60-63 has a integral metal air outlet, 64-66 has a plastic bolt on air outlet.
64-66 thrift-air box has a manual defrost flap lever

[Captainfab]

It has been my understanding that the '60-'63 only were available with the recirculating heater. That is the core and fan inside the cab under the dash. The controls were just 2 verticle slide levers towards the drivers side. The '60-'63 also were available with the deluxe heater, Which is the core and fan in the engine compartment. This used 4 verticle sliding levers for the control. Then the '64-'66's had the Thriftair heater. This used the 2 push/pull and turn knob control on the drivers side of the ashtray. The core and fan in the engine compartment. I believe the heater core was slightly smaller than the deluxe core. Then the deluxe heater use the 3 verticle sliding control levers on the drivers side of the ashtray. Also the core and fan in the engine compartment. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

[ChiefRocka]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

It has been my understanding that the '60-'63 only were available with the recirculating heater. That is the core and fan inside the cab under the dash. The controls were just 2 verticle slide levers towards the drivers side. The '60-'63 also were available with the deluxe heater, Which is the core and fan in the engine compartment. This used 4 verticle sliding levers for the control. Then the '64-'66's had the Thriftair heater. This used the 2 push/pull and turn knob control on the passenger side of the ashtray. The core and fan in the engine compartment. I believe the heater core was slightly smaller than the deluxe core. Then the deluxe heater use the 3 verticle sliding control levers on the drivers side of the ashtray. Also the core and fan in the engine compartment. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

Yeap,

My black '63 had the two lever, 'cheap' heater with inside fan, two levers and delete plates. Only the heater core nipples protruded thru the firewall.



My current truck has the deluxe heater.....

[jonzcustomshop]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

It has been my understanding that the '60-'63 only were available with the recirculating heater. That is the core and fan inside the cab under the dash. The controls were just 2 verticle slide levers towards the drivers side. The '60-'63 also were available with the deluxe heater, Which is the core and fan in the engine compartment. This used 4 verticle sliding levers for the control. Then the '64-'66's had the Thriftair heater. This used the 2 push/pull and turn knob control on the passenger side of the ashtray. The core and fan in the engine compartment. I believe the heater core was slightly smaller than the deluxe core. Then the deluxe heater use the 3 verticle sliding control levers on the drivers side of the ashtray. Also the core and fan in the engine compartment. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

thanks capt., I edited this into the original post.
do you know if 64-66 was available with a recirculating heater?

[T Smith]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

It has been my understanding that the '60-'63 only were available with the recirculating heater. That is the core and fan inside the cab under the dash. The controls were just 2 verticle slide levers towards the drivers side. The '60-'63 also were available with the deluxe heater, Which is the core and fan in the engine compartment. This used 4 verticle sliding levers for the control. Then the '64-'66's had the Thriftair heater. This used the 2 push/pull and turn knob control on the passenger side of the ashtray. The core and fan in the engine compartment. I believe the heater core was slightly smaller than the deluxe core. Then the deluxe heater use the 3 verticle sliding control levers on the drivers side of the ashtray. Also the core and fan in the engine compartment. Someone correct me if I am wrong.

My 66's control is on the drivers side of the ashtray in that removable panel...

[Carfull]

Jon, Thanks for this very helpful thread.

[AngryPirate]

So, I rebuilt the stock/original heater box that came with my 1960 GMC and I replaced the heater core and blower motor.

All of the blower motor I could find that were replacements had 2 wires (+/- I assume). The stock had one post that a factory terminal slide onto.

Am I to assume that the red(+) on the new motor connects to the old orange wire that originally slid onto the terminal on the old blower motor and the black (-) just gets grounded somewhere on the truck or heater box?

First 2 pictures are of the old motor and the last one is the new one.

Random question: what is the resistor for that's in the heater box, or really, why is it in the heater box?

Thanks!

[Killer Bee]

^ pretty sure that's a ground wire, more likely for boxes not all steel..

the resistor I believe lives inside the plenum for cooling and stay out of harms way, very fragile when warm depending on selected fan speed..

my best guesses, good luck!

[AngryPirate]

Originally Posted by Killer Bee

^ pretty sure that's a ground wire, more likely for boxes not all steel..

the resistor I believe lives inside the plenum for cooling and stay out of harms way, very fragile when warm depending on selected fan speed..

my best guesses, good luck!

Thanks for the response Killer Bee.

I imagine that makes sense, since a lot have plastic boxes.

[Bears63]

You are correct CaptainFab.

[padresag]

I did pull an 87 apart earlier this year and the heater motor with cage looks identical to the 64-6 except that the fan cage is plastic
ron

[ChiefRocka]

Originally Posted by padresag

I did pull an 87 apart earlier this year and the heater motor with cage looks identical to the 64-6 except that the fan cage is plastic
ron

Good to know.....

[jonzcustomshop]

Originally Posted by padresag

I did pull an 87 apart earlier this year and the heater motor with cage looks identical to the 64-6 except that the fan cage is plastic
ron

I think lil red 66 did a post about this once, I will try to find it and link it here.
I did try to use the heater motor out of my 88 suburban, and the bolt pattern is the same, however the squirrel cage was about 2 inches taller than the 64.

[dean jendro]

Jon,
Is this what you're looking for?

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ater+fan+motor

[jonzcustomshop]

Originally Posted by dean jendro

Jon,
Is this what you're looking for?

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ater+fan+motor

that is the one, part # and some more info there.

[padresag]

here is a 64-66 deluxe heater motor and one out of a 87 gmc p/u. There may be about 1/16" variance between the 2 in depth
perhaps the one out of the 88 suburban is for a higher capacity, due to the larger space and the demand for better heating in newer vehicles then there was then. then it was all for one and one for all(almost)
ron


By rondavid at 2011-10-12

[63sbssbbw]

I have a '61 GMC and a'63 GMC sitting side by side,One the things I hadn't notice before
is the Hole through the firewall is bigger on the '61(came heater delete)than the '63(deluxe heater).
I also will have pics soon(on comp at home)
PS wiper motor mounting is also quite different>
T

[jonzcustomshop]

[quote=padresag;4949305]here is a 64-66 deluxe heater motor and one out of a 87 gmc p/u. There may be about 1/16" variance between the 2 in depth
perhaps the one out of the 88 suburban is for a higher capacity, due to the larger space and the demand for better heating in newer vehicles then there was then. then it was all for one and one for all(almost)
ron

great shot, that would probably make sense with the larger suburban one, also it had air too, that could have made a difference as well...

good to see another source for the fan... out of the 6 units I had off only 1 had a good fan!!

Originally Posted by 63sbssbbw

I have a '61 GMC and a'63 GMC sitting side by side,One the things I hadn't notice before
is the Hole through the firewall is bigger on the '61(came heater delete)than the '63(deluxe heater).
I also will have pics soon(on comp at home)
PS wiper motor mounting is also quite different>
T

now that you mention that, I have a 60 chev cab that came w/ a deluxe heater, and there is a reducer plate bolted where the air tube mounts to the firewall.
will try to get a pic of that too.

[dean jendro]

Here's another thread with some good info.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ater+fan+motor

[63sbssbbw]

Thanx Jon
that would be better than the cut and swap i was going to do
T

[jonzcustomshop]

my 64 chev has one on the drivers side, and my 64 gmc has one on the passenger side, will have to look it over, maybe he is thinking air conditioning controls which is 3 knobs on the passenger side?

[Captainfab]

Yes I believe you are right

Originally Posted by T Smith

My 66's control is on the drivers side of the ashtray in that removable panel...

Yes Jon I was thinking of my '66 C30 which has AC

Originally Posted by jonzcustomshop

my 64 chev has one on the drivers side, and my 64 gmc has one on the passenger side, will have to look it over, maybe he is thinking air conditioning controls which is 3 knobs on the passenger side?

I will go back and edit my post so as to not be misleading.

[ljackson]

Hi, my son's 64 has a deluxe heater. Does anyone know if there is a blower that can be used that blows hard like the one's in current models ?

[jonzcustomshop]

Originally Posted by ljackson

Hi, my son's 64 has a deluxe heater. Does anyone know if there is a blower that can be used that blows hard like the one's in current models ?

I wonder if we can find the cfm output of a 73-87 motor compared to our earlier ones?