MarcDeSoto Posted January 3, 2015 Report Posted January 3, 2015 I have two Comfort Master Heater units, one of them came from my 48 DeSoto. They are both designed for installation on the right side of the dash. I tested both motors today with a 6 volt battery charger. One motor worked, but the other didn't. Correct me if I'm wrong, but a motor that doesn't work should be tossed as it's a factory sealed unit and can't be repaired. My problem is that I can't remove the heater core from the heater housing. I want to boil it out and clean it. There are three screws holding the heater core to the housing. I removed those, but the other side of the housing won't budge. There are no screws or rivets on that side. Anyone have any experience with this? Quote
casper50 Posted January 3, 2015 Report Posted January 3, 2015 The parts book should have a exploded diagram. Quote
Young Ed Posted January 3, 2015 Report Posted January 3, 2015 Yes for some reason 1-2 of the 3 units I have(lefts and rights) have screws on the front but spotwelds on the backside. Makes NO sense! You'll have to get a spot weld cutter and drill those 2-3 on the back to get the unit apart. 1 Quote
greg g Posted January 3, 2015 Report Posted January 3, 2015 give the motor a shot of 12 v. It won't hurt it and might get it to turn with some manual assistance. I used some penetrating oil on my motor and after a few applications enough crept in that it freed up. Quote
David Dyer Posted January 3, 2015 Report Posted January 3, 2015 I just went thru this, there are 3 brass rivets on each side, grind them off and then when reassembling use small pop rivets. Quote
MarcDeSoto Posted January 3, 2015 Author Report Posted January 3, 2015 I just went thru this, there are 3 brass rivets on each side, grind them off and then when reassembling use small pop rivets. Are you sure you have a Comfort Master heater? There are no brass rivets on the side with the three screws. And the other side is as Young Ed says, spot welded. Don't see any rivets on this. I'm thinking I can just soak the heater in a bucket of water and drano and not take the core completely out. Of course, I took the motor out. Then, I can paint the housing with some gold krinkle paint for an awesome look. Quote
David Dyer Posted January 3, 2015 Report Posted January 3, 2015 You maybe right, Mine maybe different. Quote
Young Ed Posted January 3, 2015 Report Posted January 3, 2015 Here's mine with the gold krinkle coat. Do you have dual heaters or just the fresh air unit and the pass side heater? Quote
MarcDeSoto Posted January 4, 2015 Author Report Posted January 4, 2015 Ed, that is an awsome job on those heaters!!! My 48 DeSoto came with just the passenger side heater as it has spent all of its life in Southern Calif. Luckily, I have two Comfort Master heaters, both right side. I tested them today and one had a bad motor. I read in a restoration book that these motors are sealed and cannot be repaired. do you know where I can buy a new motor with the squirrel cage fan? After I bought the car, I bought an NOS All Weather Air Unit that I plan to install. I'm not quite sure what that huge unit does except allow you to drive with the cowl vent open even in the rain for fresher air. Quote
Frank Elder Posted January 4, 2015 Report Posted January 4, 2015 It catches the rain and diverts it out off the interior.....very handy I think. Quote
Young Ed Posted January 4, 2015 Report Posted January 4, 2015 This might help you with the install of your fresh air unit. Yes basically it does allow you to drive in the rain with the cowl vent open. It also forces outside air into the car to help with defrost. http://p15-d24.com/topic/25302-dual-heater-resto/ As for the 6v motor you won't likely find one listed as a direct replacement. I did find some of the ford and chevy places have new 6v motors that look the same. You should be able to measure the one you have and match it up. Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted January 4, 2015 Report Posted January 4, 2015 The right model #53 and left model #54 rotate in different directions-different motors and sqirrel cages. Just in case you don't know this! Quote
Young Ed Posted January 4, 2015 Report Posted January 4, 2015 The right model #53 and left model #54 rotate in different directions-different motors and sqirrel cages. Just in case you don't know this! That is a good call out. I did know that-learned it the hard way but others may not have. I had a weak pass side motor and grabbed another left from a car with dual heaters. Hmmm that car is still in the junkyard I wonder if it has my missing duct.... Quote
MarcDeSoto Posted January 4, 2015 Author Report Posted January 4, 2015 Ed, did you ever figure out how to install your All-Weather system? I bought this item new in the box back in the 80s and I still have the huge foldout of the installation directions. although it's so huge it would hard to make a copy. Quote
Young Ed Posted January 4, 2015 Report Posted January 4, 2015 (edited) Ed, did you ever figure out how to install your All-Weather system? I bought this item new in the box back in the 80s and I still have the huge foldout of the installation directions. although it's so huge it would hard to make a copy. Yes mine has been installed a couple years now. All I have left now is finding/repairing the kickpanel ducts. Edited January 4, 2015 by Young Ed Quote
MarcDeSoto Posted January 5, 2015 Author Report Posted January 5, 2015 I guess most cars that had the All-weather system had two heaters with the kickpanel ducts. My car just has the right Comfort Master heater. But the kit came with a panel to screw on to the left duct of the center plenum to prevent escaping heat there. Do you have to drill holes in the cowl in order to install this beast? Quote
Young Ed Posted January 5, 2015 Report Posted January 5, 2015 My car had it all along however I don't believe you'd have to drill any holes. The top attaches to two studs that I suspect would be present on all the cars. The bottom is supported on the cowl lever brace. Then the heater (s) add further support. The only cowl part you may have to do is for the drain hose and I suspect that would be a knock out plug. Quote
MarcDeSoto Posted January 6, 2015 Author Report Posted January 6, 2015 I've been testing my heater motor hooked up to the instrument panel on my kitchen table. The power for the motor is a 6 volt battery charger. All three speeds are working great. Question: Is it normal for the two resistors behind the heater fan knob to get hot? I guess it would be as resistors are resisting voltage and amperage. The heat has to go somewhere. Quote
Young Ed Posted January 6, 2015 Report Posted January 6, 2015 I've been testing my heater motor hooked up to the instrument panel on my kitchen table. The power for the motor is a 6 volt battery charger. All three speeds are working great. Question: Is it normal for the two resistors behind the heater fan knob to get hot? I guess it would be as resistors are resisting voltage and amperage. The heat has to go somewhere. Yup when using low and med the extra energy turns into heat. Quote
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