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

I started going thru the 1939 Super eight today. 1st the heater water lines are not connected and I can find were they would hook to the engine? I also can't find any heater controls. I have attached a picture of the heater.

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As I understand it there were basically 3 switch control/configurations for prewar heaters. Different switches depending on heater installed. As the second illustration shows, on some models the switch was vertically mounted in the edge under the dash with just a knob showing. On other models the switches were mounted in a plastic cover under the dash edge with the knob facing the interior. I believe those were primarily the 40-42 models and were styles shown in the illustration. There is an additional type I have seen for the reversing switch similar to the upper illustration but I have no photos. Someone else might know which style was specific to a year or heater. Since dealers installed heaters, if he had one on the shelf with a switch that was for a later year nothing would prevent the dealer from installing it in an earlier car if the customer wanted it.

If the deluxe heater/defroster was installed the switch was the reversing type. If a separate heater and defroster was installed then the switch was non reversing and could be a simple on off or a rheostat or the discreet two or three speed type.

Here is an illustration showing some of the plastic covers and another showing a typical heater installation. If the car never had a heater installed there were plugs that had to be removed from the head and the water pump to install the fittings for water hoses. The head is the hot water out to heater port and typically had a valve at that location so water could be turned off in summer. I believe (at least after the mid 30s) the fittings were for 3/8 pipe x 5/8 hose.

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It appears to be a heater defroster like the one on our 6.

But no place on dash fro the defrost to blow out.

The defrosters were an option so the inner duct adapter pieces or connections may not be present. Earlier models had the outlet on the dash but on most of the later models the defrost air is fed to a couple of adapters which screw to the underside of a metal channel under the windshield. Air comes out the gap between the garnish molding and the glass.

Thanks this diagram is helpful. I do have the 2 switches shown. But no place to attach hoses to the engine.

You should have some pipe plugs in the head and waterpump. Head location is on top about 2/3 of the way back and off center toward the manifold side. They may be regular pipe plugs with the square head or may be sort of flush and have a socket for an allen wrench. IF plugs are original and have never been out they have probably rusted so it may be a real project to remove them.

Once removed, you are going to have to find a valve for the head and a nipple for the water pump. Universal shut off valves are available thru most parts stores. Not sure about the nipples. Should be 3/8 NPT thread into the head and pump with 5/8 hose fitting but you do need to verify your thread size.

The Universal valves are short with the hose coming straight out the side compared to the originals. You may also need to get a male to female 3/8 pipe extension to raise the valve a couple of inches so the hose will be sufficiently above the manifold. Some have said a valve more looking like the originals can still be found at some plumbing supply places.

thanks to your diagram I have the blower working properly with the switch's. One of the previous owners used the live wire to power after market turn signals. It was a mess.
I will recheck the engine for the outlets you are talking about. Thanks again for all your help!

ok I think I found what you are talking about see below

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That looks like the connections but it would be better if someone more familiar with a 39 verifies it. If you are trying to look as stock as possible I believe you will also need to find or fabricate the metal return side pipe running down the center of engine. That is held off the head by a couple of brackets under the head bolts. McMaster has bendable 5/8 steel tubing in 3' lengths.

Here are a couple of illustrations of some of the tubing shapes used on earlier engines. Cannot say for sure but I suspect the same shapes and lengths of tubing was used on the 39.

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