Heater Box Color

[BigDave LM6174]

Almost have my interior complete.  Looking at the Heater that came with the parts for the car and parts from 2 other Henry J's.  not sure if heater came out of this car or another.  Should the heater box match my Gray interior paint?  We're all heaters brown?

[Fid]

It depends on which heater you have. There were three types used in the Henry J (4 if you count  the very early ones, some of which used the 1947/48 Kaiser "Air Conditioner" heater.)
The most common one is this one, all of which were metallic gray

Some '51s and a lot of '52s I've seen were equipped with left-over '49/'50 Kaiser heaters, which were metallic tan, maybe there were other colors but I've never seen one:

Then there's this one,


which I've seen in metallic gray and metallic tan but I don't know if the tan ones were original or not. Actually, the one pictured looks like it's been painted or it's very nice NOS.

[BigDave LM6174]

Thanks Fid, I have the first one with the defroster knob.  Is the gray the same as column or different color?

[BigDave LM6174]

It's pretty decent.  Already have new knob to put on for defroster.  Just debating on repainting it.

[Gordie]

It depends on which heater you have. There were three types used in the Henry J (4 if you count  the very early ones, some of which used the 1947/48 Kaiser "Air Conditioner" heater.)
The most common one is this one, all of which were metallic gray

Some '51s and a lot of '52s I've seen were equipped with left-over '49/'50 Kaiser heaters, which were metallic tan, maybe there were other colors but I've never seen one:

Then there's this one,


The brown heater and controls illustrated appear to be the same as 1946-48 Ford and Mercury.  They should be fairly easy to obtain.  I would imagine that the Allstate cars used the generic Allstate universal model.

which I've seen in metallic gray and metallic tan but I don't know if the tan ones were original or not. Actually, the one pictured looks like it's been painted or it's very nice NOS.

[Fid]

Yours looks great just as it is Dave. I would not change it. The one I posted was repainted too so it's a bit darker than the original ones I've seen.

[pnw_oldmags]

Hi Dave,
Here is an original one.

[Fid]

You beat me to it Jim! I just found that pic and was going to post it but I see you already did so. Dave, this would be the best reference to go by. Great picture.

[pnw_oldmags]

If you need a better shot let me know.  I will unbox it again and get a close up with todays camera

[BigDave LM6174]

Thanks guys, that picture will do.  Think all I need is make a k sticker.

[porsche1914]

Dave,
I have a '51 J and it came with an original heater like yours. The paint on the heater had kind of a bumpy or mottled finish to it, it was not a smooth finish. I may be wrong but I think that's how they were originally.
The other guys may have more knowledge of this.
My heater was a little worn in some places so I redid it. I found Rustoleum has a paint line called Hammered colors that give you that look, kind of bumpy or fish-eyed. It is a little brighter silver or gray but it gives you a pretty similar finish.
Just an idea you mat want to look into.
Good luck with your car.
Don Holt #1913

[Fid]

Don, that's interesting because the one I posted was repainted back in the 70s. My dad used "crinkle paint" on it and claimed that's how they were originally. Most I have seen are not but perhaps they weren't original examples. The one in Jim's picture does look like the surface is textured and it's NOS. Or maybe some were and some weren't. I've seen a lot of subtle, and some not so subtle, variations on all models of KF radios I've worked on so perhaps there are variations on the heaters as well. The one I posted looks very similar to the one Jim posted so maybe mine is pretty close.

[BigDave LM6174]

Yes, paint has roughness to it, almost like the feel of slight surface rust.

[Henry's HenryJs]

This is the one in the 51

[porsche1914]

The heater I have in my J is like the one Jim Betts shows in his picture.
Don