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

Hi,

Does anyone have a mid '30's car that has the Packard-Kelch heater installed? I have one of the floor vents available.

Thanks
Gene

Hi Gene, I have an installed Kelch on my '34 Eight. And I was in contact with quite a few other Kelch owners when I published my article on the Kelch system some years ago. I'll pass along your offer as the opportunity presents itself. I'm not currently aware of anyone needing a floor vent but a photo of yours would be belpful as their were several styles.

I am curious about the Kelch air and heat exchange chamber. Is it clamped or fastened in some fashion over the exhaust pipe and removable to be reused on a new exhaust if the existing pipe deteriorated or needed changing or was it an integral or a permanently sealed assembly with the pipe like some of the oil filters of the time and the entire heat exchanger assy had to be replaced if something happened to the exhaust.

Based on all the units I've examined from 1934 thru 1939, the heat exchanger was integral with and a fixed portion of the exhaust header. You can see photos in my old article.

packardclub.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=340&p=22376&hilit=Kelch#p22376

Interesting. The exchanger looks like a fairly beefy part but still not something likely to be that easily found today. Your article touched on the likelihood most of the original exchangers were sent to the junkyard and probably turned into tanks and airplanes back in the day or even later on, Toyotas. What are options if someone wanted to repair the exhaust and keep the heater or restore a car. Has anyone ever tried to convert a unit to something reusable that could be clamped back on like the replaceable element oil filters?

You article mentioned some of the bad aspects of the system such as the occasional dose of carbon monoxide or escaping loose thread of asbestos. Do you know if there was an option or if any other mfg ever brought the inside passenger air out to the blower for recirculation or was it always outside air. A continuous flow of eau de hot engine would seem to be another less than desirable feature.

If someone has one available, I would be interested in trying to get a heat exchanger for my 1928 533.

Thanks,
Gar

Gar, I wish you the best of luck in your quest. To put it in some perspective, I've been semi-seriously looking without success for a Kelch heat exchanger for my 1934 Eight for more than 50 years.

Thanks, I'll get a photo posted

Here are some photos of the part. The part was given to me and won't fit my 733 it, I'll give it to a good home.

Let me know if you need more info.

Thanks
Gene

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