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  •  » Steam Heat

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    3/11/2019 11:19 PM  #1

    Ron68
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: Mukilteo, Washington
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 1,589

    Steam Heat

    Took the 68 out yesterday - drove to O'Reilly's to warm it up and to pick up some oil and a filter. On the way home, I suddenly had steam coming out of the defroster vents.......
    Drove it home and proceeded to pull out the heater box. Yup, got a pinhole in the heater core. Caught it soon enough, nothing leaked on the carpet. Figured it was a good time to rebuild the box, so ordered a new core, and a full seal kit. I also figured it would be a good time to see about the weak replacement blower motor I had installed a few years back. So - question - does the proper rotation for the squirrel cage impeller go clockwise, or counter-clockwise - or does it make a difference? Is one way more efficient than the other, or not? In testing the blower, reversing the polarity changes the rotation. Maybe that is why it hasn't really been as effective as I had wished. Or maybe it is a weak switch or defective resistor. Anyone care to jump in here?

    68 coupe - 351W, 4R70W, 9" 3.25 -- 65 convertible - 289 4v, C4, 8" 3.00
     

    3/12/2019 6:52 AM  #2

    Bullet Bob
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    From: Montrose, Colorado
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 4,891

    Re: Steam Heat

    As I recall, the vanes on the old squirrel cage are "cupped".   So the fan needs to turn in a direction that will "bite" into the air at the source and push it out toward the discharge.  I just can't recall if that fan needs to draw air into it's center or discharge it from the center.  Most fans of that type draw into the center and discharge it into a decreasing radius housing with a duct attached.

    Wish I could be more help, Ron.  I just gave up on the stock system too long ago.

    BB

     

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

    3/12/2019 7:19 AM  #3

    Bolted to Floor
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    From: Houston, Texas
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 2,018

    Re: Steam Heat

    Rotation of the fan does make a difference and will be dependent on the housing box and blower wheel. If all else fails, assemble and bench test. One direction will blow through the housing a whole lot better than the other.

    John  -- 67 Mustang Coupe 390 5 speed
     

    3/12/2019 6:11 PM  #4

    6sally6
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

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    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 6,874

    Re: Steam Heat

    Hope you weren't driving that beauty in snowy conditions!!! I "heard" you folks had a REAL winter with plenty of the white stuff.(and I don't mean the type of "snow" those Seattle folks  like to use!)

    My advice on the blower is to just bench test it like mentioned above.  Seems like I taped/filled/sealed all the cracks inside my heater to maximize the  flow of air...the last time I had it apart.
    I also installed a "hot water cut off valve" to eliminate any hot water flow in the summer time.(although....considering where you live......y'all prolly use the heater  11 months out of the year anyway!
    6sally6

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    3/12/2019 6:57 PM  #5

    MS
    Forum Originator

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    From: Canyon Lake, Texas
    Registered: 1/24/2013
    Posts: 12,299

    Re: Steam Heat

    I always thought a centrifugal blower took in air into the center and flung it outwards by centrifugal force through the vaned wheel.  Just like a brake rotor does.

    The motor has full power at all times and is switched for three speeds by variable ground.

    Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
     

    3/13/2019 5:58 PM  #6

    Ron68
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    From: Mukilteo, Washington
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 1,589

    Re: Steam Heat

    I'll be getting my parts tomorrow and will be completing the repair this weekend. I will assemble and bench test for best flow before installation. Thanks for the replies and suggestions, and yes Mike, we did have quite a bit more snow than usual, and also the very cold temperatures to go along with it. The traction control in my Exploder worked very well, and I had no problems during the snow. I made it to work every day without missing any work due to snow - and I have an 80 mile round trip commute. I hate that white s*#t. If you want snow - go to the mountains! It makes for very challenging days at work, as all the airlines have the same issues, and it takes forever to get aircraft in and out. Glad the warmer weather has started up here. Hope everyone is finally seeing the end of Winter too. Car show season starts up here next month.

    68 coupe - 351W, 4R70W, 9" 3.25 -- 65 convertible - 289 4v, C4, 8" 3.00
       •Thread Starter
     

    3/17/2019 4:37 PM  #7

    Ron68
    Senior 24-7 FYI Addict

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    From: Mukilteo, Washington
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 1,589

    Re: Steam Heat

    Well, got the heater assy all back together with a new core, seals and clips and got it  installed. And yes, to answer my own question, proper polarity on the blower motor wiring makes a big difference. It really blows great when hooked up correctly. I actually have heat and almost defrost. The 51 year old defroster ducts fell apart when re-installing the heater box. Got some new ones on the way.

    68 coupe - 351W, 4R70W, 9" 3.25 -- 65 convertible - 289 4v, C4, 8" 3.00
       •Thread Starter
     

     

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