Why is my heater so crummy?

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3jvj

3jvj

Joined
Jan 14, 2006
Threads
76
Messages
1,154
Location
Durango, Crawlorado
I really don't get it.

I drove around all last winter with no heat at all so I figured I'd give it a go this year (yes; I drove when it was 30 below- I just left the windows down ;) ). I bought a motor off of another member and installed it (fun time for those of you that haven't done it yet). I even blocked off my air to the outside vents. The motor seems pretty weak to me. Am I alone here?

I have all three fan speeds.

Just before the old motor puked it was super warm so I doubt it's the core; it seems like the fan to me.

Here's another quirky thing I've got going on-
I used the factory wiring and switches (last guy had a toggle), and now my ignition will continue running for about three seconds after I've turned off the key (like a relay hanging up). VERY odd. Turn the heater off; shuts right down.

Anybody care to add .02 to this mystery?

Thanks-Josh
 
are you sure the blower was out of a 55? the squirrel cage is different between 40's and 55's

I've got -25F right now!
 
Have you checked for mice nests?

How long has the rig been down, if at all? I went thru my whole heater system last year and brought it up to snuff. This year, after being down for a year, the front blower was like a dead man breathin'. i finally pulled the motor again, and looky there! The biggest, fluffiest mice nest I ever saw filling the entire intake and squirrel cage! I can't believe the motor even turned!
 
the motors are pitiful.

is the core warm to the touch? is it warm both top and bottom, and on each end? do you feel air blowing through the core at all when you feel up at the bottom?
 
Not sure if you checked the heater core fins, but its well worth taking out the heater box and going through it, and making sure its not loaded down with hair and other nastyness, that sure kills output, and after I cleaned mine out, I tried it out and it was like a propane heater compared to the way it was prior. Too the point that when the rear heater sprung a leak, I took it out altogether since the front heater was more than enough, even with all the drafts in my FJ55.

I will second the above post about the FJ40 motors being opposite rotation. Got one from my parts stash and its got the fan louvres pointing the opposite direction. Output will suck if you try to run it...

-brett
 
These things got three speeds? Mine was originally a one speed (which I thought was normal) and now has two speeds that work. It blows well enough to keep the cruiser plenty warm and the window defrosted. They don't blow anything like a modern vehicle but a properly functioning blower should be sufficient.
 
snailwagon said:
These things got three speeds? Mine was originally a one speed (which I thought was normal) and now has two speeds that work. It blows well enough to keep the cruiser plenty warm and the window defrosted. They don't blow anything like a modern vehicle but a properly functioning blower should be sufficient.
Click to expand...

yeh, I was surprisec at the 3 speeds also, I think it came out in mid 70's... 75-76ish??
 
Well, that would explain why my '72 doesn't have three speeds =). On/Off is good for me..
 
snailwagon said:
These things got three speeds? Mine was originally a one speed (which I thought was normal) and now has two speeds that work. It blows well enough to keep the cruiser plenty warm and the window defrosted. They don't blow anything like a modern vehicle but a properly functioning blower should be sufficient.
Click to expand...

3_puppies said:
yeh, I was surprisec at the 3 speeds also, I think it came out in mid 70's... 75-76ish??
Click to expand...

OregonCruzer said:
Well, that would explain why my '72 doesn't have three speeds =). On/Off is good for me..
Click to expand...

my '76 technically has 3 speeds but only med and high work. and even then they're pretty pitiful. maybe I too have a rats nest up in there. I had one under the floor mat right infront of the gas peddle and against the tranny hump when I bought the thing. so who knows...?
 
Thanks to all for the tips.

My vin says 73 but I suspect there was some shady tag work going on (California v-8 transplant circa 90-95ish). There are no wingvents, a raised hood, and yes; three speeds to the fan.

I'll have to double check on the louvres; I'm pretty sure I used the old cage on the replacement motor.

As far as the heater core fins; how touchy are these boxes to get out? My hose ends are shot where they connect to the dash so I figure I'm due to go through the whole system. Anybody have an aftermarket retro option for the rubber ends of the hoses (or are they still available and made from a special mix that contains platinum)? I hate to just use duct tape BUT it does come in black ;D .


I'm just going to keep plugging away. Any bets on which comes first; heat or summer ;) ?-JJ
 
I just finished my FJ55 heater rebuild with Shane's kit(AATLAS1X on Mud) and man does it make a difference! I have heat now!

I could not get the heater core in and the end plate on(early heater) with the full amount of foam provided since I reused the still pliable end foam pieces, so I trimed pieces to fit the sides of the heater core.

I would reccomend getting a box of 3M strip caulking at an autobody shop, its the tar like strips that hold the plastic sheeting on behind the door panels. It comes in handy sealing gaps in the duct work and the heater box and blower motor.

One other thing to check is the heater valve itself. I discovered that the plastic plunger(?) has frozen in the heater valve despite the cable and rod were working. Cut back flow quite a bit. Time for an aftermarket heater valve...
 
cruiserbrett said:
I just finished my FJ55 heater rebuild with Shane's kit(AATLAS1X on Mud) and man does it make a difference! I have heat now!

I could not get the heater core in and the end plate on(early heater) with the full amount of foam provided since I reused the still pliable end foam pieces, so I trimed pieces to fit the sides of the heater core.
.
Click to expand...


What year?

I am confused on the second paragraph.

Shane
 
any sources for new duct hoses? have been looking for alternatives and these seem promising:steer:

Central States Hose, Inc. Industrial hose, hydraulic hose, duct hose, suction hose, couplings, assemblies and accessories.Manufacturer: Dura-Vent
Part Number: Dura-Flex 9025
Central States Hose, Inc. Industrial hose, hydraulic hose, duct hose, suction hose, couplings, assemblies and accessories.[/url]

and

Buy Duct Hoses for old antique classic vintage car parts online

hate to do a rebuild on a heater box when the hoses are total junk!
Shane; welcome your comments....your rebuilds are lovely but unless we get the warm air where it needs to go we are :bang:
Lou
IMG_1991 duct hose good side.webp
IMG_1992 duct hose.webp
 
Josh, sent an email to Shane re: heater hoses............ sounds like we are running into the same problem; a crapped out heater + sadly deteriorated heater duct hoses limping along with duct tape that in this heat and humidity end up unraveling and not only not working to get the air to the vents but also looking like crap!; hate to rebuild the heater box and then have it work only marginally 'cause of the duct work!.....

Lou
 
My heater was crummy till I found something had taken up residence.
Idustrious little bastard...tore his nest out and within 24 hrs he had rebuilt it.
DSC00010.webp
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