Heater
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Warrenton, VA
Heater
With all these cold temps I'm trying to find new ways to help heat up the cab. ('79 F-150 302 no-AC) As most of you probably know these trucks don't tend to build a lot of heat inside. So if anyone has ideas to help heat up the cab let me know. (Other than thermostat and heater core, those are new). I was thinking about getting pipe insulation for the heater hoses...I think the air going down the road cools them off. Anyone else have some ideas or tricks of the trade let me know.
WrenchHead
WrenchHead
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
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Heater
Put in a "Ford Thermostat"!!!
You know... -The cardboard in front of the radiator. Leave 1/4 of your radiator uncovered. Watch the heat gage and don't forget to take it out in the spring...
btw- my 78 with a 400 and AC will run me out of the cab with heat in the winter.
You know... -The cardboard in front of the radiator. Leave 1/4 of your radiator uncovered. Watch the heat gage and don't forget to take it out in the spring...
btw- my 78 with a 400 and AC will run me out of the cab with heat in the winter.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 163
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Heater
Find a High Output heater box at a salvage yard, install a new heater core in it, and put it in your truck, they are not that plentiful, but there out there, seen one Saturday while removing a dash from a truck.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 1
From: Tucson
Heater
As Torque said, the cardboard in front of the radiator works great. I lived in North Dakota for two years (wonderful people, the lousiest weather on the planet) and used the cardboard trick throughout the winters (waaaaaaay below zero).
I also installed an engine heater on my truck and car. I used a freeze plug type on the car and I think I used a heater hose one on the truck. It will start right up in the morning and toast your toes right away.
As a more permanent fix to cold toes, I moved back to Arizona.
jor
I also installed an engine heater on my truck and car. I used a freeze plug type on the car and I think I used a heater hose one on the truck. It will start right up in the morning and toast your toes right away.
As a more permanent fix to cold toes, I moved back to Arizona.
jor
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,838
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From: SD
Heater
My heater has a hard time keeping up too, but it's not the heater's fault. I have too much cold air coming in the cab. I repaired the rusted floorboards - that made a huge difference... Next is new window channels and door weather stripping. Also be sure the holes in the firewall are plugged - each hole that wiring goes through should have a grommet in it to block cold air. All these little leaks add up to alot of cold air coming in. That may be part of your problem too...
Marty
Marty
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Joined: Apr 2000
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From: SD
Heater
Originally posted by DPW
Find a High Output heater box at a salvage yard
Find a High Output heater box at a salvage yard
Marty
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 163
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Heater
Yes they do heat better, alot better, you have a much bigger heater core in a High output heater, I have experienced both and the High Output is the way to go. If you have access to one I would use it. Put a new core in it right away ($42.00) nothing worse than installing a used heater box assembly, then 2 months later it's leaking on the floor and fogging up your windows. If your truck doesn't have AC its not a bad job to change one out.
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 380
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From: Meriden USA
Heater
i second the carboard. I have the same problem living in CT so i just put a peice of cardboard in fornt of the radiator and i have good heat.
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Heater
As an experience Cold weather climate person, I would suggest that you be careful when using cardboard.
1st : You have to make sure you have zoned holes otherwise if it gets real cold,you will freeze up an area of a rad while heat flows through the other areas which will cause a blow out of coolant.
Trust me, it can happen and has.
I would really recommend buying a "Winter Front" Grille cover to put on your truck,that is if you aren't worried about the snaps that attach to the surround to hold it on.
These front allow air to still flow through the rad but not the REAL COLD air. Thus, allowig for warmer air though the heater.
1st : You have to make sure you have zoned holes otherwise if it gets real cold,you will freeze up an area of a rad while heat flows through the other areas which will cause a blow out of coolant.
Trust me, it can happen and has.
I would really recommend buying a "Winter Front" Grille cover to put on your truck,that is if you aren't worried about the snaps that attach to the surround to hold it on.
These front allow air to still flow through the rad but not the REAL COLD air. Thus, allowig for warmer air though the heater.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 34
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From: the soo
Heater
i have a circulater that is spliced into one of the heater core feeds. you plug it in like a block heater and it heats up the the antifreeze and circulates it. i have it hooked to a timer to save electricty but i bet it doesn't use much. i pulled it out of a parts truck i had. it works great. i have heat right away and helps my old engine start right up with no wasted gas warming the engine up. i don't know who made or anything about it but it works great.
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 50
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From: Billings USA
Heater
The type of plug in heaters these guys are talking about are called tank heaters,one of the more notable manufactures is Kats.They fit into your heater hose,just make sure you get the flow direction correct.I agree with Million on the front covers,as I've seen folks who have used cardboard and after getting wet it disintegrated and plugged fins on the radiator.If you have a high output setup available by all means put it in,even if you have a/c,you'll appreciate it as much in the summer.The tank heaters run $30-50 depending on size and dealer and time of year. John
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
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Heater
I have never had a problem with the cardboard trick in over 35 years of driving with dozens of vehicles, -rain or shine, Kansas to Minnesota.
The only time I have had a problem was during a quick spring warmup and I had to pull the cardboard on the side of the road... Oooops!
I do cut holes in the cardboard to spread the fan load out so it does not roar.
I have used a winter front extensively also when I wanted a more permanent and easier to operate solution. Cardboard is a good cheap first try to see if it solves your problem.
Since we are on the downhill run from winter I would suggest the cardboard this year and get a winterfront on sale, if it helps, and install it next fall.
Pet peve- I dont know where Warrenton is... -It could be in almost any state. I love you guys that put in "pudunk junction" USA and expect that to help. At least put a state in! -Rant over...
The only time I have had a problem was during a quick spring warmup and I had to pull the cardboard on the side of the road... Oooops!
I do cut holes in the cardboard to spread the fan load out so it does not roar.
I have used a winter front extensively also when I wanted a more permanent and easier to operate solution. Cardboard is a good cheap first try to see if it solves your problem.
Since we are on the downhill run from winter I would suggest the cardboard this year and get a winterfront on sale, if it helps, and install it next fall.
Pet peve- I dont know where Warrenton is... -It could be in almost any state. I love you guys that put in "pudunk junction" USA and expect that to help. At least put a state in! -Rant over...
Last edited by Torque1st; Feb 25, 2003 at 06:29 AM.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
Heater
It is a larger heater assembly to accomadate the larger heater core, used in the High Output heaters. If you go to a parts store to purchase a heater core, they will ask you if you have an economy heater or a high output. The high output heater core will not fit in the economy heater assembly. The fan motors are the same.
Last edited by DPW; Feb 25, 2003 at 02:29 PM.