Shoebox Heat

Smitty

Smitty

Well-known member
Anyone with a Shoebox 49-51 comment on how well your heating system works. I have a NOS Magic Air system in my 50 Tudor,it works ok but not great.
Tell the truth the manifold heater in my Model A seems to put out better heat.


Thanks, Steve
 
The heater in my '49 coupe is mediocre at best.
Never drove it much in cold weather but this winter had some sunny days to drive it and found the water temp had trouble hitting 160. I've ordered new thermostats and will try that first. I'll also check the control valve. Not sure what else to look at.
 
We used to have a 50 sedan and the heater worked great, but my reference is temperature in the 30s and 40s in Texas, not in New England. My memory is the previous owner paid the big bucks for a rebuilt factory heater control valve, and had the heater core reworked at a radiator shop.
The heater in my 53 sedan was mediocre when I got the car. I eventually replaced the factory heater control valve with a new cable operated in-hose valve and replaced the heater core with a new reproduction core. I now have great heat, but again in Texas.
 
The only disappointing thing about my '51 is the lack of output from the heater. It's good enough for chilly early fall and late spring days, which is when I need it, so I've never chased it down. I'd hate to know how it would work in sub-zero temperatures (especially the defrosters). Luckily, I'll never find out.

I'll chalk it up to the 160 thermostats for now.
 
I have had two '50s back in the day. Neither one of them would take frost off the windows . My avatat 50 is no better!
 
Use some insulation aluminum fil from the hardware store. it is a lot cheaper than the street rod stuff. two layers
 
Does this tell you something? The heater in winter would handle the windshield defrost OR the heat; but not both. The core is clean and engine temp is not the issue. If I was to fix it I would add a under-seat heater from a late model car and pull the water from the other head. I had a 52 Chevy, same heat issue, wear lots of clothes, seems it was par for fresh air heaters at the time.
 

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The valve in my ‘50 started leaking so I went with an in-line one from a ‘70’s F-100. The heat works good early spring till late fall. I use 180* stats. Once snow comes it’s parked in the barn. It defrosts well ......Mark
 
So, would Vintage Air be a better option? Would a more modern engine provide more heat?

Irony here is that the Autolite heater in my Model A puts out better heat than my 50..and it is a quiet!
 
Have you checked the flow thru the heater core? Are you sure the cable isn’t binding and the temp valve is opening all the way? When my temp valve started to leak, I had a 3/4 turn ball valve on the head to stop hot water from getting to the heater. The heater seemed to work much better that way, before I installed the in-line valve. It’s a pain in the a$$ to open the hood to mess with the ball valve, but this fall I may go back to it.
These vehicles were run in cold climates when new, so there’s gotta be a way to get heat.
Please share what you find to be the remedy, when you find it.......Mark
 
Chances are we are just spoiled by the luxury of today's efficient heating systems. We lived through 8 Saskatchewan winters in the sixties and as a little kid I don't recall suffering from the cold in the 52 Mercury. Frost shields on the rear and side windows were regular equipment to be installed each fall in preparation for driving in the cold. Winter tires on the back and a shovel in the trunk. The old Merc always got us home.
 
The core and hearing system is all NOS so should not be an issue. Cable moves the valve all the way forward so I am guessing that would be full open. I have a 190deg thermostat.
Engine is 226 -6cyl.
 
I'm confused because my first car , a 50 with a 6 in it, made good heat in Ohio. A lady I knew as a kid gave me a ride home from school in her 51 V8 & that heater MADE LOTS OF HEAT..........
 
No need for modern engine, flatheads make plenty of heat. I don't recall the shoebox era being short on heat. The worst thing was air leaks as they got older. I know you said NOS but it doesn't take much to plug a heater core small tubes. It only takes a few open tubes to have flow and the water just bypasses the plugged ones.
 
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