Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

my 39 120 has an undersea heater, installed post dealer, under the passenger side of the front seat. From the underside, it looks like someone cut the holes for the water lines with an ax. So I'm assuming that it wasn't a Packard dealer, but perhaps a shade tree mechanic who installed it. I just finished hooking up the NOS heater control knobs, so both the underseat heater and under dash heater/defroster fans work fine. What has hit me is that the underseat one has a front and rear outlet, but there is no top to the box. The fan is exposed, which does make it easy to balance the blades. However, I suspect that the heater won't work without a top on it. Does anyone have a photo of what the top is supposed to look like? I think I can fabricate one, but it would be nice to see an original one. Here's a photo of the fan.

The rod is the seat adjustment mechanism. Someone has wrapped rubber tubing around it, I assume to prevent rattles.

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That bare blade is about all they did until at least 22nd series. The 42-47 unit looks to be exactly the same and may be the one you have. Suspect thru 50 was probably unchanged.

At some time the unit was redesigned having a flat case with the fan blades protruding slightly above the top. Those blades were surrounded by just a round collar. In 54 they issued a service bulletin to replace just the bare collar with one having a screen. Here is a photo of that change.

Should be easy enough to add something to yours using a similar screen. Flat with maybe an antirattle or rubber edge cushion around the perimeter.

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That looks like exactly what I need. My unit has the two small screw holes on each side, corresponding to the circular ring. Thanks!!!

David,
Actually, these were offered in 40 and a couple later years and were available for installation by the dealer for the earlier cars. Every one of these I have seen has had no guard or other cover over the fan.
Although it may be a good idea to install a guard on it to prevent things from hitting the blades, it does not 'need' it to function. The blades pull the air down and blow it across the heated radiator and out the sides. Once you turn it on, you feel it.

That heater should make your rear passengers happy out there in Montana.

PM