Defroster core leak

[Michel]

Hi friends,

Another new issue with my truck. I noticed that after driving few miles, the bottom of the windscreen from the interior is showing some condensation. By having a closer look at the defroster, I have noticed that the core is leaking coolant.
My problem is that I cannot clearly identify the brand of the defroster so cannot find a replacement core on the net.

Can you help me please ?

Photos of the defroster and core.






Thank you
Michel

[dsraven]

haven't seen a core like that in awhile but you could try red dot's online catalogue, they make a variety of heater stuff. maybe need to figure out a mod for installing a more readily available core or get one made for it to fit the heater.

[_Ogre]

that's not a stock 55-59 heater or heater core, probably better off to see if you can find a radiator shop that can build a core for you

this is the top view of a 55-59 heater

[1project2many]

There was a thread a while back asking about round heater cores. They are tough to locate and tend to be expensive. If you have a generic type of accessory heater maybe it will be easier to replace the entire unit?

[xaircav]

I had a round core like that was repaired three times before I gave up. There are several compact aftermarket heaters. I got the one Classic Parts sells. Throws a lot of heat, small and no leaks.

[mr48chev]

I think that is the same heater my 57 panel had in it. That was sold new as a base level delivery rig with the lowest cost pieces in it and I am thinking that is what you would call the "basic" heater/defroster. So basic that you had to reach under the dash to flip the lever to get defrost if you needed it.

I have to go with what Xaircav said, the cores when you can find them are expensive. This is actually less than what I thought it would be at 299. http://www.thebrassworks.net/shop/He...duct_info.html

Classic industries wants 415 for just the heater core pieces that you have to have a radiator shop solder to your pieces to make a complete core or 299.99 for a conversion unit that uses a square core. https://www.classicindustries.com/sh.../heater-parts/

Unless you are just absolutely bent on having a stock heater I'd buy one of the small heat/defrost units from Vintage air or one of the other suppliers like Classic that sells.

This link shows a popular Vintage air unit. That one gets use in a lot of street rods and a lot of trucks that the owners don't want air but need heat. https://www.amazon.com/Vintage-Air-5.../dp/B002VVY9L2

[Fitz57]

Same one I have in my 57. I really like it, but has same problem as yours. I would love to find a company that could rebuild the core.

[mr48chev]

Had a big ring type heater under the floor of my 55 Buick back in the mid 60's that was always my friend's double date or group go some where car of choice in cold weather because the rear seat area was always as toasty as the front. The one in my 57 panel worked pretty good too but took some time to warm that big interior up.

[1project2many]

All of our buses use auxilliary heaters of various sizes. I put a small one in one of the tool compartments in the service truck along with some batteries and the jumper cables. If I need to start a bus in cold weather the parts to do it are warm and ready to go.

[Michel]

Thank you for your advices.
I have already contacted a local repair shop but they were not so interrested to do the job and the price they announced me what very high at more than 400€ !.
Thank you mr48chev for the links. I have send a mail to thebrassworks asking for delivery to France. I am waiting their reply.
I will inform you the results.
Thank you
Michel

[_Ogre]

heaters were an option for trucks before 1960, the pic i posted was the factory option
if the truck was ordered without, any aftermarket heater could have been installed

[mr48chev]

I didn't see that you were in France when I first answered. If the cost is prohibitive from Brass works you might want to look for a heater/defroster unit out of a delivery type truck that is common in France. There should be a somewhat small heater that will fit in the space that has readily available parts. Unless you are wanting to restore it to 100% original to show as an original truck I would look into that. AS Orrie said in this country those trucks were often shipped without heaters and the dealer installed one at the time of the sale. Some trucks in the south and southwest have never had heaters installed.

[Fitz57]

Thanks to Mr48chev post for the one at Classic Industries. I’m going to buy the square core conversion one