Adding a Heater to a 1957 T-Bird


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By BPoland858 - 13 Years Ago
I have a 57 T-Bird that came from the factory without a heater.  Where the heater would mount on the firewall, there is just a cover installed.  Where the blower motor attaches to a hole in the fender, that is capped off as well.  So I literally have nothing to start with.  I have had to drive the car to shows on cool mornings (Spring and Fall), and had to fight the battle of the windsheild fogging up. I have a couple questions for the masses.

Do you think I would kill some of the value of the car, by modifying / adding equipment that is not on the original gate receipt?

How expensive an undertaking do you think this will be?

It's kind of like the power steering.  My car doesn't have it, but it would cost me a boat load to install it, and then the question of altering the car from original equipment, come into play.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.  There is no wrong answer, just varying degrees of right.

By PF Arcand - 13 Years Ago
Bill: Not to many people would want the car without a heater. Likely it was a delete. And no power steering, it sounds like the original owner bought the car with the intend of racing it maybe? "If" you can find the parts to install the heater or something close, I'd install it. Unless you are entering really fussy concours events, who would know or complain?
By junkyardjeff - 13 Years Ago
If the firewall is similar to the 55/56 cars you might be able to install the car basic heater which looks like a add on or truck heater.
By miker - 13 Years Ago
I'm in the process of removing the stock heater from my '55 bird, and installing a classic air a/c. I think, that except for the dash panel and cables, everything else is available and will fit. The car is already 12 volts, so the motor will work for you. The heater core is good, but I replaced the vacuum control off the motor side years ago, and went to a manual valve from Larry's or Casco. I'm near Seattle, WA, so I don't know what shipping is, but send me a pm, and we'll work out a more than fair deal for another 'bird. Don't ever loose the delete stuff, it's probably worth as much as the car to the right person.
By Oldmics - 13 Years Ago
Bill

After looking at my 1957 Ford Chassis Parts Catalog and comparing the regular passenger car heating system to the T Birds heater,I can pretty much say that it will be a costly addition.

There are few parts that are common denominator between both body types.

Meaning it would require a donor T Bird to acquire a system from OR a long term acquisition of those specific parts.

Wont be an easy parts acquisition or install to do.It also requires quite a bit of dash dissassembly.

Leave the top off and park her in a nice warm garage till springtime Wink

Oldmics

WOW-Just as I was posting my message heater parts show up from miker.  w00t SEND THAT MAN A P.M.

Whats the chances of that happening Hehe This is a GREAT site

By paul2748 - 13 Years Ago
I have a friend with a 57 that is replacing his heater with a firewall mounted A/C and heat unit. I will ask him if he wants to sell the parts.



If you go with a factory setup, get the manual control kit (CASCO) so you won't have to fool around with the "spider" valve and the heater control valve on the intake. It works right off the factory dash control.
By BPoland858 - 13 Years Ago
Miker, PM sent.