Reply To: 1931 Series 43 Passenger Heater

[Luke Dwyer]

I apologize for hijacking Randy’s question on heater placement in his Model 43.

To wit, I cannot speak for the holes in the firewall but their location is about where you’d expect a hot-water heater like my Arvin to be mounted. My Packard had these holes although from the discussion it may have been unlikely that the factory placed them there. I don’t know.

The cylinder head might have a screw or some port blocked off near the water temperature sensor. I’ve been photos of Pierces with such port, as shown here. Again, my Packard had the same thing. Were these added at the factory? Apparently not but somewhere along the line, they were. But why would they be added if a heater was not installed? And why would a heater be removed once installed. Unless it was leaking. I’d appreciate anyone who would shed some light on this, especially what that blocked port really is in the top of the head above the water temperature sensor if it is NOT for a heater.

So, if I am right, one heater hose connects there. The other should go on the water inlet casting — where the water enters the cylinder block. Again, my Packard had a casting with another blocked off port just for this purpose.

Alternatively I’ve seen guys tap into the rubber radiator hoses as they exit the engine and as they enter the engine. Does not look good, in my opinion.