Cab heat/heater core.

[Roudolf]

Hi all. I'm new to this forum and wish all a blessing. Was wondering if anyone has had a cool cab issue. Yes I have checked ALL related parts and pieces to the heater system. Here in Alaska, cool and cold is somewhat different then say Michigan. Last week a friend told me what the problem was and that is, "Your heater core is too small to handle Alaska cold." I new he had hit the mark I've been looking for. So has anyone ever found a way or know of a way to install a bigger heater core in a 1989 D-150 1/2 ton Dodge with the 318 engine/ no air conditioning.

Karl R.

 

[Harley Harrold]

 

[GTyankee]

Maybe just insulate the heck out of the sheet metal in the cab
& wear Heated Motorcycle Gear

UNfortunately, most of them are not safe to have in a vehicle,
like the Propane & Kerosene & Diesel units

Check out some of these
Some of them are used in Construction Equipment

Google Search

semi truck & Van Heaters

Google Search

 

[Sherman Bird]

Hi all. I'm new to this forum and wish all a blessing. Was wondering if anyone has had a cool cab issue. Yes I have checked ALL related parts and pieces to the heater system. Here in Alaska, cool and cold is somewhat different then say Michigan. Last week a friend told me what the problem was and that is, "Your heater core is too small to handle Alaska cold." I new he had hit the mark I've been looking for. So has anyone ever found a way or know of a way to install a bigger heater core in a 1989 D-150 1/2 ton Dodge with the 318 engine/ no air conditioning.

Karl R.

My 1989 D150 (I no longer own) was originally built and sent to Cowboy Dodge in Cheyenne, Wy. It was an automatic trans, 3.9L v-6, but it was a camper special...with 2 batteries and a block heater, and a heavy duty heater. That heater had no problems down here in Houston, even when we got REALLY cold, at least for us.

I wonder if your 36 year old heater core is the problem. Also, in lieu of active shutters, I've had success with cutting out a piece of cardboard shipping box the size of the radiator and cutting an 8 to 10 inch square hole for restricted flow. THAT worked wonders! When we had our 6 degrees freeze during 1989's Holiday season, and we had -20 wind chills, The cardboard was THE only way to get any real heat from my own vehicles.

A hotter thermostat is a possible cure as well.

 

[Papa Red]

Welcome to the forum.

Red

 

[crash68]

"Your heater core is too small to handle Alaska cold."

As mentioned above, I would suspect a problem with the age of the current heater core, along with making sure the rest of the engine cooling system is working correctly. Coolant should be able to get to 180°F , if not restrict airflow over the radiator and/or replace the thermostat.

 

[Marshall]

Hi all. I'm new to this forum and wish all a blessing. Was wondering if anyone has had a cool cab issue. Yes I have checked ALL related parts and pieces to the heater system. Here in Alaska, cool and cold is somewhat different then say Michigan. Last week a friend told me what the problem was and that is, "Your heater core is too small to handle Alaska cold." I new he had hit the mark I've been looking for. So has anyone ever found a way or know of a way to install a bigger heater core in a 1989 D-150 1/2 ton Dodge with the 318 engine/ no air conditioning.

Karl R.

Dad had the same truck ,with a 360, I don't think it ever had a low heat problem.
We in western Canada get into real cold as well, -30C this morning .
I have seen -40 or lower, -40C is the same as -40F, a bit cool.
if the motor temp is in the midrange, usally the heater core is fine, But you could have a lot of crap in it, the newer ones seem to run into plugged up inside the core, but I have had no problems with mine, 95,02,10, and currently my 2014

Back in the 1950 and older , we always had lots of blankets , those old and older cars and trucks ,the wind usally blew through all the cracks, and holes in the fire walls and a little bitty fan.
Mind you at those temps , they seldom started anyway, and you just tossed more wood in the stove.

Have opened up the heater to check the core?
O, and welcome from Sask., Ca.

 

[Marshall]

BTW if you have poor heat in the motor , you will have poor heat in the heater core.
I presume you have a rad cover, or as Sh.Bird said a cardboard, with a hole in the center.in front of the rad.
What is your motor temp on average cold days? should be close to center.
I had a rear heater core/ fan behind the seats in my heavy truck, worked good, but it had a 855 diesel Cummins motor to push water, That would never heat up unless you where on road with the air shutters closed and a load on it.