Daves1940Buick56S Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 My 1938 heater is missing the cover and defrost fan for some reason. I managed to pick up another one with the defroster. It has been repainted I think. So I am going to get it blasted and redo. 1. What is the original color and texture? Isn't it brown crackle? The one I have is a reddish gray hammertone. 2. Is the center decorative piece chrome? Mine is worn and it looks like the base metal is copper colored. Thanks, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCHinson Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 I think that they were originally a brown color with texture. Just from looking at mine, I think that the center decorative strip was nickel instead of chrome. If it was chrome, mine sure was very thin. Any attempt to buff it takes the finish off leaving copper color. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonMicheletti Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 The center strip is made of brass and is chrome plated. They tend to crack along the center line. Brown wrinkle finish about the same color as the radio and steering column. I have seen several shades of the original brown. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dracenroc Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 Dave, I can take some pictures of mine if it helps. Will take a few days as I don't have the time to go to the car before Friday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daves1940Buick56S Posted February 14, 2019 Author Share Posted February 14, 2019 Thanks! No rush.... Cheers, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dibarlaw Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 Dave : I spent quite a bit of time redoing my heater /defogger in my 1937. Flushed out the heater core. Painted and touched up everything. It sure looks nice. But, after a good cleaning, lube and new wiring the motors still do not work worth a darn! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonMicheletti Posted February 14, 2019 Share Posted February 14, 2019 I have a De Lux heater in my Special and it will drive you out with the heat it puts out. Here is a photo of the restored heater. The defroster motor is original unrestored 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce W Jones Posted February 17, 2019 Share Posted February 17, 2019 I just bought a 39 and am trying to get familiar with it. Heater works great but I found a turn type switch under dash on passenger side that powers the defrost fan and it does not work. Good to see you guys picks of it. Can it be removed without removing entire heater assembly and repaired? U guys picks looks like it has prob. 4 screws and remove. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonMicheletti Posted February 17, 2019 Share Posted February 17, 2019 On the '38 it is difficult to get the heater out. The glove box has to come out first if I remember correctly. I dont think the defroster motor can be removed without removing the heater. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce W Jones Posted February 17, 2019 Share Posted February 17, 2019 Thanks YEA for sure the glove box has to be removed but I thought you could remove the 4 screws and lift out, maybe not. Not going to worry a lot about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonMicheletti Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 I checked my notes. I had to remove the 2 screws holding the defroster motor first. That can be one by removing the heater retaining nuts on the firewall and tilting the heater outward to get at the screws. Glove box already out. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuickBob49 Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 I just had my 39 Roadmaster out for a drive this afternoon in Portland. It was about 40 degrees and the heater kept the cabin nice and warm. Here's a photo of the heater. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JFranklin Posted February 18, 2019 Share Posted February 18, 2019 1 hour ago, BuickBob49 said: I just had my 39 Roadmaster out for a drive this afternoon in Portland. It was about 40 degrees and the heater kept the cabin nice and warm. Here's a photo of the heater. That looks the same as in my '36 Chevrolet but without the graphics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daves1940Buick56S Posted February 20, 2019 Author Share Posted February 20, 2019 OK, I see that the defroster setup is the same brown color so I will repaint mine. I found a place locally to get it sandblasted, also a rechromer who does small parts. He does nickel also so we will see what's what when I take it in. I will paint the body in the black wrinkle finish and then overcoat with the brown. I should be able to get the process started next week, will update with pics as I go. Cheers, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonMicheletti Posted February 20, 2019 Share Posted February 20, 2019 I did Eastwood black wrinkle and then shot over it with the brown. Came out perfect 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Wright Posted February 21, 2019 Share Posted February 21, 2019 (edited) Since we are talking about '38 and '39, I just thought I'd toss in that my '40 has the heater under the floor board under the front passenger's seat, with the air coming up under the seat. The heater core hoses go along the frame to a metal Harrison heater and fan which hang down under the car so of course became rusted decades ago. It's still there but I only drive my car in the summer so I don't care. Edited February 23, 2019 by Morgan Wright (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce W Jones Posted February 22, 2019 Share Posted February 22, 2019 On 2/21/2019 at 9:53 AM, Morgan Wright said: Since we are talking about '38 and '39, I just thought I'd toss in that my '40 has the heater under the floor board under the front passenger's seat, with the air coming up under the seat. The heater core hoses go along the frame to a metal Harrington heater and fan which hang down under the car so of course became rusted decades ago. It's still there but I only drive my car in the summer so I don't care. Boy that sounds like a terrible design. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgan Wright Posted February 23, 2019 Share Posted February 23, 2019 6 hours ago, Bruce W Jones said: Boy that sounds like a terrible design. It works great in the summer 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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