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The Heater is missing on my new to me '39 Super 8
There are holes in the firewall where it once lived.

What model number heater was used in '39 and is there any literature on the controls.

See firewall Pix

regards

Bill Wurts

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In this service counselorpackardinfo.com/xoops/html/downloads/SC/SL-VOL12NO19.pdf are some illustrations and model numbers used on 17th series heaters. Not too much detailed info on controls though.

Bill, really there is only the hot water valve on the cylinder head to turn the water on (winter use) and turn the water off (summer use), a switch that is a rheostat and controls blower speed, and another switch if it has the optional piggy back defrost blower. If equipped with the defrost blower, you need the diffusers that mount under the dash and aim at the windshield. I saw a couple of these heater assembles at the PI meet last month.

Post a want ad here, good chance someone has one. I will have my car out Saturday. Let me know if you need any pictures of the heater.

Edit: Also note there is a standard heater and deluxe heater. It is likely your car would have had the deluxe heater being a senior car, but with the chuffer limo theme, perhaps a standard heater for the driver would be more appropriate.

it would appear it's the exact same heater on my 1938 12. which is a Harrison model # H 8-2

1939 was I believe also the last year for the quite rare Kelch hot air heater which used a monel heat exchanger in the exhaust pipe, ducting to front and rear compartments, and lovely little rotating damper deflectors in the floor, front and rear, made by Alcoa. In the earlier days of methanol antifreeze with low temp thermostats, the Kelch was a much-desired heater and extremely effective, immediately from startup.

It is pictured in the 1938 owner's or accessory manual, and the last installation of a Kelch on a Packard that I've seen is on a 1939 Twelve limousine. My 34 Eight came with a Kelch, if I can find them I'll post some pictures. Pierce-Arrow was another significant user of the Kelch.

I know this is a bit off-topic, forgive me but it's interesting trivia on the topic of heaters. If anyone has more interest send me a PM and I'll send a copy of my article on the Kelch heaters from the Winter 2000/2001 TPC.

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Since the service counselor mentions the heaters are to be installed the same way, maybe same heaters were used in 39 so here are a couple of pictures of heaters from the accessory manual as used on 38 models including the one O_D just posted.

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Thanks HH56, interesting price comparison, the Kelch at about 2X the DeLuxe heater.

Very interesting! I have not seen the hot air heater used or specifically mentioned for use on the 39 Super 8. I wonder if it was an official option for the 39 V-12?

Whether an official option or not, this would be a fantastic option, especially on a divided limo. Neat picture and illustrations.

I wonder if it was an official option for the 39 V-12?

I've never taken the time to see if the Kelch was offered in 1939, but it was offered in 1938 across all car lines. Also, a large percentage of 1938 Twelves went unsold, probably due to the mini-recession of 1938, and were upgraded and sold and titled as 1939 cars. The 39 Twelve with Kelch is owned by PAC's chief judge, it's an unmolested original in quite stunning condition.

I can't do it here because of copyright concerns, but I'll post the article on the Kelch heaters over on PAC's forum for those who are interested. It's under "Packards in the Media" discussion group.

The double hot air cleaner was also offered as extra equipment for the 1937 120 closed cars. I have an opening in the rear compartment for the heater register on one of my cars. The rest of the set up is in pieces but it may be worhtwhile trying to salvage. O-D, would this have been a Kelch unit also?