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Adapting/modding Harrison Heater...

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by 55_Willys_CJ5, Oct 25, 2019.

  1. Oct 25, 2019
    55_Willys_CJ5

    55_Willys_CJ5 Nephews Visit 2017 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    Southern California
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    Picked up an old CJ2/3 Harrison Heater for the astounding cost of a conversation. Going to use this to track the restoration/modification to see if I can use it in my CJ5. Here is a link to the folder that the progress photos will be posted to:
    Harrison Heater

    After the restore, if It turns out I can't make it work I will offer up in the classifieds...stay tuned.

    There are two videos in the above folder. One is with the fan still attached to the motor and the other is without. I took the motor apart due to the loud squealing. Overall condition is decent but it definitely has been used. There is a well worn groove on the commuter portion of the armature. By researching the internet, I was able to find this as a possible motor replacement:

    VDO New A/C Heater Blower Motor PM354

    This motor has two wires that allow it to be ran either CW or CCW. The original motor runs CCW to pull air in and push it through the heater core.

    My thoughts on adapting to the CJ5, depending if this will fit:
    - Use the above mentioned motor and with a three way toggle switch, I would be able to switch the direction the fan rotates. (Think Floor or Defrost)
    - Using CAD, fabricate a housing that will cover the exposed fan blades and allow for the connection to the defrost duct hose.

    In theory , if all goes well and this plan works out. I will have a heater that I can use to warm the cab and switch between floor and defrost. More to come as I find the time to piece this all together.

    Status of Heater:
    Housing - Disassembled and pieces sent to be blasted and powder coated
    Fan - Same as housing
    Heater Core - Cleaned and pressure tested. Leak at one of the tubes were it connects to the tank. Taking to local radiator shop to see about repair.

    Still in the process of sourcing the rest of the parts I will need to make this happen. looking forward to the end result
     
  2. Oct 25, 2019
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
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    I have one in my 3B. I’m about to take it out and definitely interested in heater resto-mod.
     
  3. Oct 26, 2019
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    What is the inside diameter of the inlet opening?
     
  4. Nov 3, 2019
    55_Willys_CJ5

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    Are you asking for the fan inlet? if so, I will measure once I get it back from powder coating.

    Update:

    New fan motor came in. Here is short video of the motor working:


    Using a Toggle Switch (Double Pole Double Throw) to control the direction the motor spins (Clockwise of Counter Clockwise). The above test proved the concept will work. Once I get all the components back. I will be able to start mocking up the heater housing for defrost capability.
     
  5. Nov 18, 2019
    55_Willys_CJ5

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    So, got a call from the radiator shop. They fixed the one leak, then discovered another, fixed and then another. Long story short, they are going to recore the heater core. The housing and fan are blasted and painted:

    Blasted:
    Resized_20191110_161148001.jpeg

    Painted:
    Resized_20191117_181039.jpg

    Picking up later today. The heater core should be ready by midweek. Then it is time to reassembly. Then the fun starts with figuring out how to build the enclosure to cover the fan and channel it to the defroster duct.
     
    Jw60 likes this.
  6. Nov 19, 2019
    55_Willys_CJ5

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    the inside diameter of the fan opening is 7.250 inches.
     
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  7. Nov 19, 2019
    garage gnome

    garage gnome ECJ5 welder

    Western MA
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    These heaters work great when the 6v motor is running on 12v. :D
     
  8. Nov 19, 2019
    3b a runnin

    3b a runnin Active Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Yep, mine does in the "B"
     
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  9. Nov 24, 2019
    55_Willys_CJ5

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    Picked up the heater core and installed in the housing and assembled. Use the following link to view all pictures:
    Heater

    Now to start mocking up the defroster duct. Here is the idea I'm going with:
    20191123_224410.jpg
    20191123_224415.jpg

    Now I just need to find a 2.75" outer diameter metal duct with flange. Cut hole in the metal bowl and find someone to weld the duct to the stainless steel bowl. After this is completed. Mount the bowl with duct to the heater housing. Mock-up the heater in the jeep. Install everything, burp the coolant system to get all the air out of the newish heater, run the jeep and check for any leaks, and once all finished enjoy riding around in the jeep with a heater during the winter.
     
  10. Nov 24, 2019
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

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    [​IMG] [​IMG] nice keep it up
     
  11. Nov 24, 2019
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Maybe consider Fiberglass and resin. Use the bowl as a form (coated with wax or bagged) then you can make some nice fillets and gradually neck down to the defrost hose.
     
  12. Nov 24, 2019
    55_Willys_CJ5

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    I like this idea. I could temp fasten, say a soda can, to the bowl and then fiberglass overlay the whole thing to build the defrost duct. Thanks for the suggestion. Now to start looking at the different types of fiberglass. :)
     
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  13. Sep 17, 2020
    55_Willys_CJ5

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    Ok. I have been sitting idle a little on this project. Got to talking to some co-workers and found out one is pretty efficient at 3d Printing. This started a conversation which lead to talking to one of our engineers. Which led to this:
    upload_2020-9-17_0-23-4.png

    This is the idea. Need to take some measurements to finalize the design. If all goes well should have a picture of the end product in about a month or so.
     
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  14. Sep 17, 2020
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    What material is planned? It looks a little thin in the clamp and screw areas.
     
  15. Sep 18, 2020
    55_Willys_CJ5

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    The material will be ABS plastic. The part thickness will be .125 inches (1/8). Don't have the clearance to go with this design between the back of the heater and firewall on the jeep. The useable space is only 3.5 inches. Working the redesign now. have a few measurements to make.
     
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