I kind of get the feeling this isn't exactly the place to ask, but I figured I would anyways. The blower motor in my truck works fine, but I can't stand the 2 speeds and lack of flow on "high". I want something modern with 3,4 or even 5 speeds to it. Something that flows more air, is more efficient and probably quieter too.

Has anyone found a modern blower motor from another car/truck that bolts right in to the stock heater location? If not I will be on the lookout and post up when I find something.



Andrew

 

Does your truck have the fresh-aire deluxe heater or the base model? Recirculating type. Not trying to pick on you, but I found the fresh-aire heater has to have all the ***** pulled out correctly to direct the air flow between defrost or normal floor heat, or no air will flow at all between either. It's sort of confusing too, between "heat" and "temp" which **** does what.

My '64 is pretty spartan compared with modern trucks in all respects but, if there's one thing it does do as well or better than any modern truck, it's righteous, kickass heat. It'll drive you out! It gets cold in Iowa at times, and I used to drive it in the winter. I use a 180 thermostat, and flushed the radiator and block periodically, etc.

So if there's a problem with flow and/or heat in ****ing California, something else is going on there, flush the heater core and radiator maybe. Increasing the speed or flow of the air shouldn't really be necessary, normally I turn the fan off completely after the engine is warmed up, even in freezing weather - just the air flow when moving is plenty.

Poor grounding too, and old cables, weak generator output etc contributes noticeably to a slow fan speed as well as low volume, the fan draws lots of juice even at low speed. Might be possible to step a motor down to more slow speed gradations but I doubt you'll find a modern one faster or one that moves more air.

 

Like I said, it works just fine. I can't stand the 2 speeds and lack of flow. Some of the reason these trucks heat so well is because the blower motor air volume is so low. If it were moving more air, the temps would go down.

Modern AC/heat cars have a compromise because the evap always has more surface area than the heater core. Because of this they move air on higher speeds that is more efficient for the evap.

My heater box has been chopped up into a bunch of pieces and turned into a custom AC/heater setup that I built. It works great, but like I said, I cant stand only 2 speeds and lack of air flow on high. Don't mistake "lack of airflow" for "my truck doesn't heat up". Because I don't have any issues with that. I notice the lack of airflow when the Ac is on, because the feed opening and surface area of the evap is so much larger than the stock heater core. My situation is a bit unique, but I still figured someone might want a blower with a few more speed settings because the stock heater can boil you out.

 

If you had, say, a 5-speed blower switch, setting "5" would be the same as "high" on our trucks because the highest setting on any blower motor switch is full battery voltage. The lower speeds are created by resistors. If your cab doesn't leak air too badly it should get uncomfortably hot in there with the stock heater. Try a hotter thermostat maybe. I use a 195* with no problems.
You could test the power coming into the blower motor. If it isn't battery voltage or very close you could add a relay at the battery and get 13-14 volts to the motor when you're tooling along.
Eric

 

Old trucks are full of corrosion and old worn out cables. New ones have thick coats of paint.

Good grounding and connections obviate the need for relays, mostly. See "Voltage Drop Testing".

"Some of the reason these trucks heat so well is because the blower motor air volume is so low. If it were moving more air, the temps would go down."

Can't see how higher fan speed means less heat though I guess anything is possible. Radiator theory is fairly well sussed out though.

 

That is not what I am saying. Higher flow would be to utilize my AC more efficiently, because the evap is much larger surface area than the heater core. The 4-5 speeds I would like would be to run lower speeds for heat so I don't boil out. (because like I've restated multiple times, there is nothing wrong with my heaters ability to heat (also I would be interested to see if the temp would drop much with higher flow fan for heater though.)) I wasn't very clear on why I wanted better flow and more speeds though, so I see the confusion.

Also to Eric, more flow is definitely possible even with the same 12v supply. efficiency in fan wheel design, and electric motor design all equate to quieter operation and higher flow. Its no different than buying the 5 hp shop vac over a 4 hp shop vac. Both are 110v but motor design and fan wheel design make the 5 hp draw more current and flow more air. voltage is a huge portion of the electrical equation, but current is what actually does the work. How much current it draws is all about motor design, which is far better now than it ever was in 1964. I would even guess I could find a motor that draws far less current and flows much more than the stock one, and would give me multiple speeds.


Andrew

 

So what might happen if you installed a variable resistor inline for the high speed setting
?

 

Itd probably work to slow speed down. I don't know how much the motor would like it though. Most modern variable speed motors are PWM setups of some sort. Electric motors don't tend to like constant low voltage operation as speed control. I think I will still look for a good modern replacement though.

 

I think you are agreeing with me. You cannot get more flow with more fan speeds. You need a more powerful blower motor. You can supply the present one with whatever voltage the alternator can produce but you cannot force more amperage into it.
Eric
Edited: I see now you were contempating a blower motor swap. Sorry I didn't see that.

 

no problem, I don't think I explained it too well.

 

I too have asked about a blower motor that will move more air but got the same "put in a hotter thermostat, seal up your cab, add insulation, etc."

Folks, we are well aware of these options. But maybe, just maybe, WE WANT MORE AIRFLOW!!!

To the OP:

A couple of years ago I stumbled across a thread where someone swapped in a blower motor out of a different application. I forgot what the application was and have searched, but to no avail.