Classic/Antique Car Repair/1953 Chevrolet

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Expert: - 9/4/2010


Question
My 1953 Chevy heater stays hot in summer, I assume the valve to close heater core is broken. I plan to put a shut off valve in the heater hose. Does it matter which of the 2 heater hoses I put it into? If it does which one should I put it in? how do I determine which is the input or output hose?
Thanks
Dennis

Answer
There are two hoses to the heater. One comes from the engine block and should be the smaller of the two. the larger one is the return and goes to the water pump. the shut off should be in the smaller or feed hose. That way hot water will never reach the heater core when shut off.

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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