Interior: 1965 commander heater box

[Bill m]

My heating/defroster system needed some maintenance. There was a slight leak and I determined that the core was leaking. I tested the valve by filling with water and it held the water with no leaks for 24 hrs. I also pressure tested it with air and it held the air for 20 minutes. So I assume the valve is fine. I bought a new heater core . The heater box and squirrel cage was quite rusty so I am dealing with that. I soaked the rusty parts in vinegar and almost all the rust is gone. My questions are. 1. I am going to put ball valves in the engine compartment, do I need 2 valves or just one on the heater intake hose? 2. Which outlet on the motor goes on the intake of the heater(283small block Chevy)? 3. I believe that the heater box is open to the outside and has some sort of filter on it . I would like to just enclose the heater box hoping that will stop it from rusting again. Will this work? I might be wrong about the last question and will investigate it further when it warms up. It is currently 15 below here and I have minimal heat in the garage. Thanks for the help.

[enjenjo]

One valve is enough. The outlet on the water pump is the inlet side, but a valve on either hose will stop the flow.

[StudeRich]

A valve on the Output side of the Core will not stop the Flow BEFORE it goes to the Core and Heats the Car ALL the time.

So, connect the Hottest coolant from the Heads (that is on the Front of your Intake Manifold on GM Engines) returning to the Radiator, to the Control Valve and then to the Input side of the Heater Core.

A 3/4" Pull to close, Automotive Type Ball Valve CAN be installed under the Dash in place of the Original Ranco Valve. That way, you use your existing Heat/Temp. Control and Cable.

No need to make it more difficult by re-inventing the wheel.

Water does not enter your Heater Box from the outside unless you allow the Air Box in front of the Windshield to clog the Drain with Leaves and Dirt. Your rusting came from the leaking Heater Core.

Your Filter goes on the Engine side of the Air Box, actually in the Cowl.
here is the Filter, that Rubber strip on the Cowl just above the Body Tag near the Hood Torsion Bar Lever on this '64.



Below is a '66 Cruiser, the Hot Coolant Engine connection barely visible coming from the Intake Coolant crossover forward and down under the Alternator.

Left Click this 3 Times to enlarge it.

Yes it has the wrong Color (Early '65) Valve Covers and Air Cleaner Lid, but it Does look better than Black.

[Bill m]

Thanks for the information. I am going to leave everything as is. All the rust is gone and I am going to my brothers shop and paint everything today and reassemble it soon. Since the ranco valve see to function as it is supposed to I will use it unless there is a reason not to. Thanks again

[StudeRich]

Thanks for the information. I am going to leave everything as is. All the rust is gone and I am going to my brothers shop and paint everything today and reassemble it soon. Since the Ranco valve see to function as it is supposed to I will use it unless there is a reason not to. Thanks again

Be sure to check and clean out the Air Box by removing the "Screen" by the Wipers if it needs it.

[Bill m]

Thanks again and I also like the yellow