C1 Heater Hoses

[Al C.]

I finally got back to shoving on the '58's heater. I found that I had to remove the forward cone box (with the air flapper valve), so that the motor could be pulled straight back and the front tubes dropped downward. Just couldn't get it out by trying to drop the motor rearward (but maybe if I had pulled the motor in place?).
Anyway, new questions - ALL my hoses and tubes are 5/8 inch. But in looking at the catalogs for replacement parts, it appears some '58s use 3/4 inch. (1) Does someone have experience with who to order from to get the proper 5/8 inch stuff (particularly the elbow hose)? (2) While my water control valve tube passes thru the firewall, the hose from the small elbow (direct to the core) was connected to the engine hose INside the cabin. Is this right?? and (3) the box in the cabin has a white "28" stamped on it. What is the significance of this number?
...Al '58 #378 245hp NCRS SACC

[Christopher R.]

Re: C1 Heater Hoses

I figured mine out by carefully looking at catalogs and the AIM. One hose is 5/8, the other is 3/4. I forget which. The fittings to which they go in the engine compartment are all readily available. The 5/8 and the 3/4 hoses go through the firewall. The fittings at the heater core - the other end - are the same size though. The change in size is accomplished with a reducing elbow inside the heater box. This part is also readily available from the usual sources. But I don't see why you couldn't buy a copper reducing elbow at your local hardware or plumbing supply store. It's inside the heater box. Nobody sees it.

[Al C.]

Re: C1 Heater Hoses

Chris-
Thanks for the response. I have reviewed the AIM and six (6) catalogs and remain confused. My existing setup is all 5/8 hoses, including the 3134837 90-degree angle hose. There are NO couplings INSIDE the heater box. Maybe my setup is not original?
Other '58 owners please chime in? Mine is an October 57 car, maybe still using '57 parts?
... Al '58 #378 245hp

[Bob Malone #35242]

Re: C1 Heater Hoses

Al,
If you have a copy of Paragon's catalog, there's a picture of the setup in the upper left hand corner on page 78. The brass reducing elbow is outside the heater box but inside the firewall. Paragon's p/n is 799. I just ordered one today.
Good luck.
Bob

[Al C.]

Re: C1 Heater Hoses - Yes, but ...

My '58 car has ALL 5/8". Heater core is dated 57J. The two 5/8 OD heater core tubes extend out of the dark grey plastic box toward the right. One has a short 5/8 ID hose to a minimal length 5/8 OD copper elbow, pointing forward, where a 5/8 ID hose passes thru the firewall to go the engine 5/8 OD fitting. The second 5/8 OD heater core tube connects by a 5/8 ID rubber elbow "3134837 A U 23" onto the control valve "3139127 H 7". It appears that Paragon's #575 will replace my cracked old 3134837 rubber elbow. The valve's other tube is longer, extends thru the firewall and connects to a 5/8 hose to the engine 5/8 OD fitting. I'd like to know if this is "correct". I'd like to hear from 57-58 owners! There is no 3/4 in this setup; although, compression clamps reveal that hoses were probably replaced at some point.
Would I lose judging points if I extended the short copper elbow thru the firewall so that both hoses connect forward of the firewall?
With the #799 5/8-3/4, which hose is 3/4? Is #799 long enough that the engine side hose clamp is forward of firewall? Perhaps this changed at a date later than my car (#378, 10/57)?
... Al '58 #378 245hp NCRS#32673 SACC

[Bob Malone #35242]

Re: C1 Heater Hoses - Yes, but ...

Al,
I just received the Paragon p/n 799. It is roughly 1 1/2 to 2 inches long on each side of the bend. I don't know which side connects to which hose yet, I've got my heater out of the car and haven't quite gotten to the point I can assemble everything yet. Sorry, but all I can speak about is my '60 and what I see in the catalogs.
Bob

[Bill Clupper]

Re: C1 Heater Hoses - Yes, but ...

I have a couple of NOS ones and there appears to be no difference in the ID of either end of the "L" elbow.