Heater Installation

[Jim Shepard]

I've got a Model 60 MOPAR heater that I removed from my truck about 10 years ago. It's the last thing to go back in after the restoration, but I can't remember how it attaches to the firewall. I've got some brackets and screws/bolts, etc., that I don't recognize (no, I didn't take pictures back then - although I did when I started the restoration...). Can someone post a picture of the backside of this heater so I can see what the various brackets look like?

[grey beard]

Jim,

If it's like my model 61, there are just four long studs that stick through the firewall, along with the two water connections. No brackets or gismos, just that. The only thing on the engine side of the firewall are the four studs and two hoses. All the rest bolts together in the heater unit, itself. Not much else to it.

My own heater has had all three air adjustment doors pulled off, so I'm looking for these. Everything else on mine is fine. LOL

[Jim Shepard]

Actually, mine is a Model 70. I spent about 2 hours yesterday trying to get it in. I can't figure it out: when I get the little pipes *that the hoses fit on) through the fireweall none of the mounting hardware lines up right with the holes in the firewall. When I get a chance, I'll post some pics of the heater and the hardware...

[48Dodger]

Hey Jim,

I'll come over and give you hand. Kinda interested in the heater deal.

48D

[Jim Shepard]

Probably going up to Plymouth again to look at one in a wrecking yard. Hope it has a heater in it...

[Reg Evans]

Hey Jim,

Here's a shot of the firewall with the mounting bolts and water lines for my Model 65 heater. One of these days I'll hook up the fresh air parts.

What's your Model 70 look like?

[Jim Shepard]

Reg,

Here are three photos. One shows the firewall with the hoses going through at the extreme upper left, just below the drip rail. Also, it shows the bolts just above the drip rail and the third bolt at the lower right. The other photos show the heater from the front and back. Also, you can see the various brackets and such I found in the ziplock baggie (which I put in there 10 years ago).

The only thing I recognize from your photo are the star washers...

[Reg Evans]

Jim,

That doesn't look like any truck heater I've seen in the 48-53 models. My 52,56,57 and 58 trucks have the same type heater as shown below. Sorry about the blurry photo....I was teetering on a ladder to get this photo.

In your firewall photo you can see the factory knock outs for this heater.

Make me an offer if interested. It still has the factory paint on it!

[Jim Shepard]

Thanks, but I don't need another heater - I just need to remember how this one hooks up. Mine is a MOPAR heater (the emblem says "MOPAR 70"). What I might be interested in later is a fresh air kit, if it'll hook up to my heater...

[Reg Evans]

Yeah but I thought you were trying to stay as stock as possible Jim.

[townwagon]

Jim,

That may be a MOPAR heater, but it looks like one for a car, maybe even a later car. I bet someone added that in after your truck was sold when they realized how cold it could get inside.

I see a lot of trucks with aftermarket heaters, or heaters from some other application. The only heaters that I know to be correct for the 1948-53 Dodge Trucks are the model 61, 62 and 65, though some of the earlier trucks got model 36s, which were the standard heaters in 1946-47 trucks, and were most likely just leftover stock.

There are some subtle differences between the model 61, 62, and 65 heater, but they all look basically the same.

I think the model 65 was used starting in 1951 or so, which means an earlier truck would have had a model 61 or 62.

I would not install the heater you have if you are going for a stock look, and have any thoughts of upgrading to the fresh air heater later. The fresh air parts are specific in many ways, and will not work well with the heater you show.

Sorry to give you bad news, I can tell you already did some work to the heater you have.

Good luck!

Eric

[Reg Evans]

Here's one on eBay right now. I was going to bid on it but will not if you want a stab at it Jim. The seller told me he made a mistake on the shipping and that it would be more like $36.00 to Ca.

eBay # 110177095482

[Jim Shepard]

Ha! I hadn't considered that it didn't come with the truck. By the way, I finally got it in. After seeing and considering the star washers on Reg's I decided to have another go at it. After I got it all hooked up, it did look a little large. I'm guessing that if, in fact, the heater is not the original/stock one, the truck probably was not sold with a heater because none of the other plugs are punched out. So, probably, the truck had a clean firewall when sold. The fact is, though, the Model 70 does fit, albeit a little tight. That would also explain why my glove box looked like it had been modified, i.e., cut down. I had to do the same thing with the box I ordered from Roberts as it was too long.

[blohmiller]

Jim are you the one that brings The truck out to Mikes Diner on Tuesday nights for the car show?

Bryan

[Jim Shepard]

That's me. I'll be there tonight.

[blohmiller]

Ok not sure if we will or not my daughter works there as a hostess but she don't work tonight we usually go there when she works

Bryan

[Mario Loya B1B]

Jim, I like your new profile photo. Both you and the truck look "JOB RATED" and "Ram Tough"

[mtdodgetruck]

Jim,

have five 1 1/2, 2 ton trucks and one has the 70 series heater just like yours. the other four have the more common 61 and 65 modles. if you still have questions or problems let me know i'd be happy to check these out for you.