51-52 Heater Comparison

[BlueOvalRage]

So I really haven't seen it spelled out anywhere that this is gospel, but I've looked at a number of trucks and pictures of trucks over the years and this is what I have observed - This is very, very similar to the standard issue heater for the 1951 F-series trucks: The decorative trim on this example is slightly different, but otherwise it's basically the same. I can't find my pictures of the actual unit I've seen in the '51's. It's a big 'ole rectangular box with the decorative trim but no FORD stamping or other identification. When installed in the truck, it looks to eat up almost the entire passenger footwell. This is the standard issue heater for the 1952 F-series trucks: It's a smaller, more compact unit that tucks up a little more neatly under the dash. It doesn't dominate the entire footwell like the unit I've seen in the '51's does. The front has the FORD letters stamped into it, but there aren't any other markings or decorations. And then there are the Magic Aire heaters. From my understanding, they are the same between 1951 and 1952 other than the fresh air inlet to the blower unit is a different shape from one year to the other. All I've got here to look at is the 1952 model Magic Aire, so if there are other differences, I'm unaware. And this all brings us to the $64,000 question - Which one works the best? I have access to all three from trucks I've parted out over the years. I'm more concerned about installing the unit that works the best vs. installing the one that is correct. My '52 F-2 is going to be a year-round driver. In fact, it's getting a 4x4 conversion specifically to get me through the snow. I need a heater that will keep the windows defrosted and keep the cab HOT! The truck currently has a Magic Aire unit in it, but I'm not sold on the value of having all the different adjusments, plus a couple of the cables are stuck and it needs a couple soft spots in the fresh air inlet pipe repaired. And I just think it looks weird. I have, however, heard a few people with standard heaters lament the fact that the lack of fresh air makes it tough to defrost the windshield, so that feature may be worthwhile. The 1951 standard unit is simple and I've heard it works good, but I'm not sure I want an object the size of a chest freezer eating up precious space in my tiny Bonus Built cab. I like the simplicity and the looks of the 1952 standard heater, but I have no experience with one as far as how well they work. Suggestions and experience?!?

[51dueller]

I know my 1951 F-1 had the regular heater but it looked like the magic heater one except the side just had louvers instead of where the fresh air duct went. It bolted on with 4 bolts and the heater core was different. Wish I had a picture of it right now. My Mercury has the magic air.

[51PanelMan]

A lot of the heaters were interchangeable with the Ford cars of the same era.

As far as I know, Magic Air was the standard heater for 51 and 52. The fresh air was the only option that could be added when the heater was purchased.

Unless you have all of the fresh air components, it'll be hard to find them. The rubber boots are being reproduced. It's the inlet tube pieces (3 of them) that run under the fender that are hard to find.

[ALBUQ F-1]

My 52 has the one pictured for '52's (assuming there is a little box with defroster connections on the left side?). It will melt your shoes without any problem. I have the fan (12v) on a rheostat and rarely have it above 1/2 speed. This is without door seals all the way around.

[bobj49f2]

The top heater I think is a Firestone heater, an aftermarket heater. I can see the "F" badge in the lower corner. The second heater isn't a stock '51 or '52 heater, it's looks like it's from a newer truck. Many times the trucks weren't ordered with heaters and were later fitted with a heater, either by a Ford dealer or a private garage or the owner. The Ford dealer would have grabbed whatever he had in stock or could easily order and this was a few year after the truck was sold it would be a newer unit. Back then they didn't car about originality.

These are diagrams from the Ford parts catalog. They both are the Magic Air units. I have a couple of these I'm using for my '48-50 trucks. They are a lot better, IMO, than the standard units that came in the earlier trucks. The earlier units had the fan under the front fend, a very stupid design because they caught all of the road gunk and failed. The Magic Air units had the fan behind the unit. The Magic Air unit I have in my F-2 doesn't have the flex tube that connects it to the fresh air duct under the fender. I don't usually drive my truck in the winter but occasionally I take it out during the cold months and the heater keeps us very comfortable.

[Julies Cool F1]

Well again this gets into what the standard or stock was. Remember that optional equipment - like turn signal switches - could be factory installed, and much of it was dealer installed.

Back then the dealers were left with the installation of MANY piece parts. The factory installed heaters for the 51/52 years, as Ilya already eluded to, were the "Magic Aire" series fresh air heaters. The other models were Ford manufactured, but interchangeable throughout different car and truck models. The ones pictured above are dealer installed heaters, and you will be hard pressed to find maintenance or installation procedures in your shop manuals or parts catalogues about them.

The drawing Bob posted above is of a 52 Magic Aire. The 51 had a round opening at the rubber boot (18637) to lower cowl flange as opposed to the square one shown.

48-50 Magic Air heaters were substantially different as the motor and fan box were located out side of the truck in the fender well and also used a water temperature control valve instead of a heater chamber by pass door. Good news was 48 thru 50 heaters you can buy a 12 volt motor for - bad news the water temp valve is difficult and expensive to find, and corrosion is a problem in the fan section. 51/52 good news is no temp control valve, but the fan motor is a compact size and is not available in 12 volt - you have to use a Vol-ta-drop. 48-50 fan box replacements are almost non existant. and ducts in any model in good useable shape are rare and expensive!

Our own "firstrider" (Denny) is making the rubber boots to OEM specs, and as far as Iknow is the only source for them.

[51dueller]

For curiosity sake, my parts book list this for heaters:
48-50 - - 8C-18455-A
48-51 - Hot water recirculating use with adaptor kit C8C-18474-B - E9A-18455
51 - Hot water fresh air - 1C-18455-A
51 - Hot water fresh air COE - 1W-18455-A
52 - Hot water fresh air - 2C-18455-A
52 - Hot water recirculating - C2C-18455-A

[Julies Cool F1]

Well I hope I don't awaken the Number Dummy dragon with this response.

I have noticed that on the parts number lists and drawings, a like component - like a bearing or a flange will usually have the same "number." But the prefix (like the "1W" and "2C") designates the year and model the part came out of.

So the "51 - Hot Water Fresh Air COE" listed above the 1 means it's a 1951 and the "W" a COE, and on the "52 Hot water fresh air " the 2 is for 1952, and "C" designates a 1/2 half ton Pick-up truck. 18455 being the part number for all the heaters.

In this case the heaters are probably the same model. But when you get into things that are different between models and years - like brake drums - which are very different beasts on different models, the "Number" in the part numbers may be the same on the parts lists and the same on the drawings, but the prefix tells you which one is correct on your vehicle.

Maybe Bill will be able to explain it better.

[BlueOvalRage]

Although I do appreciate the response, I didn't intend to start a debate on originality. I simply outlined what I've predominately seen in a large number of '51-'52 trucks over a number of years. I've never paid much attention to the '48-'50's. I know that these aren't the only heaters that you'll find in these trucks. I've seen several other oddball types as well and have always assumed that those were the ones commissioned to be installed down at Billy Bob's Garage and Bait Shop some time after the original purchase.

Maybe the heaters that I posted pictures of were dealer installed, but if that's the case, then I think it's likely that they are the heaters that Ford instructed or provided the dealers to install. I say this because they are the predominate units that I've seen in those two years and the bolt holes and hose barb holes that both of those heaters use are factory knockouts on the firewall.

While all of this information is interesting, I mentioned in my O.P. that I'm not that concerned with originality. If it were, I'd just keep the Magic Aire that it came with. What I'm interested in is having a reliable, period correct heater that really works good. I'd like to hear what other owners' experiences have been with the performance of these different units. At this point, it's between the Magic Aire and the unit pictured above with the Ford letters. The Magic Aire is already in the truck, but it needs some fresh air duct repairs and some cables freed up. I have one of each of the other two pictured, as well. What about you Magic Aire owners? Are the extra features on this unit worth making the repairs and keeping it or is it just the equivalent of a plain recirculating heater with some useless bells and whistles?

Albuq F-1: Thanks for the feedback. Yes, the one I pictured with the Ford letters does have a box on the driver's side with the defroster outlets. It also has a vee-shaped bottom. Your truck represents yet another '52 with this particular heater. How does the defrost work? I'm leaning toward switching to this heater, but I'm just a little concerned that a recirculating heater won't be able to dry out the defrost air and I'll have trouble with fog on the inside.

[3414]

Having had both recirculating and fresh air heaters in trucks driven in winter conditions, my vote is for fresh air.
The recirculating heaters will get the cab hot enough to drive you out if the cab is sealed up pretty good, but if there is any amount of water/moisture inside (on the floor mat, snow on boots, wet pant legs, etc.) no matter what you do short of driving with side windows wide open you will not defog the inside of the windshield on a frigid day. The fresh air heater will keep things clearer because the cold outside air brought in and heated will have a lot less moisture and do a better job of defogging.

[eshaver]

O K ,since I own a 53 Panel Delivery. I can say from experence that the recirculating heater isn't worth the tin it's made from ! As long as you hold your hand over the darn thing, yes it will warm the hand , but only the hand ' not yer knees and feet ! The second picture is the re-circulating heater commmonly seen on trucks from 53 to 57 or so . I've seen them in wrecks over the years . Best I can tll you is to put some 3 " fierglass insulatio in the headliner of the cab if you're driving a pick - UP. Panel Delivery guys , hey you're on you're own as no one out there except mabye me is tryng to actually restore one as a stocker ! Ed Shaver

[ALBUQ F-1]

Originally Posted by eshaver

O K ,since I own a 53 Panel Delivery. I can say from experence that the recirculating heater isn't worth the tin it's made from ! As long as you hold your hand over the darn thing, yes it will warm the hand , but only the hand ' not yer knees and feet ! The second picture is the re-circulating heater commmonly seen on trucks from 53 to 57 or so . I've seen them in wrecks over the years . Best I can tll you is to put some 3 " fierglass insulatio in the headliner of the cab if you're driving a pick - UP. Panel Delivery guys , hey you're on you're own as no one out there except mabye me is tryng to actually restore one as a stocker ! Ed Shaver

There are a lot of reasons the heater in your truck wouldn't be putting out decent heat. They get scaled just like radiators.

You do bring up a good point tho, that is that a panel will suck heat out more quickly.

In Albuquerque we do get wet, cold weather, probably twice a year . Can't say I've had any real problems with fogging but in Indiana it could be more of a problem. That said, unless you also have A/C, I don't think outside air is going to help with that and when modern cars are in full defrost, they recirculate.

[Julies Cool F1]

No debate intended, just providing the info - maybe more than desired. In my honest opinion, if you have a Magic Air, that is the best heater to keep.

Is there a reason you are getting rid of it? I restored mine (in the 51) so if you need parts or something I can probably help.

None of these heaters was tremendously strong like today high volume blowers. Shoot back then if you ordered a heater in a truck you were a real woos anyway!

[3414]

As to type of heater, back in the mid 70s driving a 60 pickup in northeast Ohio winters with a recirculating heater, I spent more winter days driving with the windows open than closed. With a fresh air heater (no AC, just plain heat/defrost) at least I could drive with the windows up and have a clear windshield. If I cracked open the vent wings, even the side and rear windows stayed clear.
Whatever heater you use, just make sure you have a good core, the heater water valve opens all the way, the engine thermostat works and has a high enough setting, and the air tubes/hoses are in good shape.

[HD74]

I don't know what heater this is the badging is missing. The PO, my guess, may have replaced the original? It does not take up much space and the fans need a little work.