Has anyone found a current source for the fiber/cardboard heater ducts on the 49-52 + Plymouths?? ? Andy B lists them but never seems to have them in stock.? ?Does anyone know of a manufacturer who might be interested in making some up?
I just bought one from Roberts Motor Parts a couple of weeks back for my 1949 Woodie. Look up their address on the internet, I got it a couple of days latr it's made out of a good quality plastic and you don't have to get involved in make all of those weird angles and openings.
Thanks.....what kind of quality are we talking??? Decent heavier weight plastic? Does it look like the original otherwise? How did it fit? Do you have photos? John
John,
Yes it is heavy weight black plastic, it fits rather decently, it looks very much like the original and it can be shaped with a heat gun (dryer) if need be. After all of the components were painted black it looks really good. Tolerances back 57 years ago weren't as critical as todays cars.
I've got the whole aparatus assembled on the bench ready to go into the car. It fits well and a couple of sheet metal screws and a bit of black duct tape seems to do the job quite nicely. It is after all after market, but it seems to be the only choice unless you are lucky enough to find one at a junk yard or making one yourself. No pictures yet but I planned on making an archive file at the time of disassembly and installation into the car.
I need to get heat into the car and this will do nicely. Since this project is a bear to do and is a really tight fit, I decided to get the heater core tested - a good move as it leaked and had to be recored. I also tried to get the blower motor rebuilt, forget that one, no one wants to do it. But for $31.00 I got a brand new 6 volt motor for the blower that works just great, bolts up to the old squirrel cage and I don't have to worry about old wires or windings or brushes giving me a problem (think a BIG problem like a short or worse a fire).
Of course as soon as I get it all installed the weather here in NY will probably get really warm and I won't have to turn it on again until the fall.
Great info....I need one too for my Club Coupe. It has an aftermarket heater in it but I've bought all of the parts to put a full 550 Mopar system into it. In fact, I think I have enough parts for three 550 Mopar systems. Various condition .... but all of the pieces....except for the heater duct in question. Keep me in mind when you get some photos pulled together. You can contact me directly at plymouth1949 @ comcast.net (spaces inserted before and after the @ to minimize spam...you will need to take them out) or just post back to this thread and I'll get the automatic notifcation. Thanks for the help. That's a good find.
Knlckwd,
You mention that you bought a new blower motor for your car. Could you please give us info. as to where you bought it?
Thanks
Don
I would be interested in knowing more about the blower motor as well.
I went and looked on Roberts Motor Parts for the duct and I can't seem to find it. Got a part#? I need one of those too.
Last time I sent Roberts an email they indicated that the part was no longer available. You might check again via email to see if that has changed.
There is a guy that sell a reproductions duct on eBay.? Have a look at this auction.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Heater-Air-Duct-1949-50-Plymouth-DODGE-Chrysler-DeSoto_W0QQitemZ270222152762QQihZ017QQcategoryZ10076QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
It is pricey now as it is at $96.? But if you need one, bite the bullet.? OR wait for another one.............
Thanks Ken, I note that someone (maybe the same guy?) advertised in this months POC mag with a POC members price of something like $150.