Darrin Heater color

[52 Muntz]

I am redoing the heater in my Darrin. It is I believe the same heater used in the Henry J.  The current color (car restored in the 70's) is a dark solid color silver. Was that the original color, or was it a hammer finish as you see with some 50's heaters?

[pnw_oldmags]

Here is a Henry J Heater fresh out of the factory box.
This may be the color you are looking for.



Hope this helps.

[Fid]

Great picture Jim. Does the paint on that heater have a texture to it? I remember my dad painted the heater in my '53 J back in the 1970s. He used a gray "Crinkle" paint so it does have a texture but I never knew for sure if that's how they were originally. It looks very similar to what's in your photo.  Oh by  the way, if you're looking for extra space, you can give that heater to me, I'd be glad to take it off your hands!

[AZ_HJ]

Fid,


Yes, the HJ Heater (and Darrin) has a texture to it. I am not sure if I'd call it 'wrinkle' or 'hammered'. It is sort of something between the two.

I am luck enough to have a NOS one like Jim. It is safe in a closet in my house waiting to be put in my HJ Vag, when the time comes.


Best,

Mark

[Fid]

Thanks Mark.  Here's what the one in my '53 looks like

Hard to tell in the photo but it is lightly crinkled.  I had it on my "to do" list to repaint it. I think I'll leave it alone now as it appears to be authentic.
That means I need to add it to my "to do" list for my '52 then!

[AZ_HJ]

Fid,


I know this is a long shot, but does your Dad remember what paint he used? Brand, color, texture, etc?

Note: I think the raised area where the embossed foil 'K' sticker is, is not textured, but is the same color as the body of the heater. It is removable and can be painted separately.


Mark

[52 Muntz]

Thanks for the great picture Jim. You can't get any better idea than straight out of the box. The picture makes it look brown? Is that correct?

[pnw_oldmags]

I make it out to be a gray color.  The top had dust that was maybe brown.

[52 Muntz]

But out of the box I am sure it was factory dust! Thanks

[blackcat429cj]

Should be identicle - I have owned both cars and and had an NOS HJ heater at one time - never held the two up side by side.

 Unfortunately just put the darrin into storage for the winter. 

[Fid]

Just be careful if you're thinking about buying a heater for a Darrin.  There were three different heaters used in the Henry J so you need the correct one. Some Henry Js, 1951s and some early 1952s, used the same heater as the 1949/50 Kaisers and Frazers. It's listed and pictured in the 1951 Henry J parts book.
This style -


Also there was this one which is listed in the 1952-53 Henry J parts book supplement -


I can't speak for all Darrins but the only type I've ever seen in one is the one pnw_oldmags posted, which is also listed and pictured in the 1951 Henry J parts book. I believe that one is correct for the Darrin.  So... if you're working with someone via the phone etc and can't see what they have, it would be best to get pictures or a detailed description.

[blackcat429cj]

This is the same style from my darrin, my car is #173



Hope this helps.

[kaiserfrazerlibrary]

The box with the "K" emblem on it is the one that should go in a darrin...check the part number in the factory Parts List for the darrin (illustrated, red & white cover).  It was the one used most often in the Henry J during that car's lifetime.  For anyone interested, the earlier version (as used on earlier model year Kaisers and Frazers) puts out more heat (but who drives a Darrin when it's cold out, anyway?).

Original manufacturer of the heater unit for the Darrin and HJ was Bird Manufacturing Company.  I have a picture of them testing an installed unit inside a cold chamber.

[kaiservagabond]

The color of the Darrin heater is, according to the Manual 2000, "HAMMERED GRAY".  As I could not find it in Home Depot, as the maker said they sent me a case of it.  I still have some if you need it,  just pay the shipping, ok?
kvagabond

[AZ_HJ]

kaiservagabond,

I like to get some of that paint from you.Contact me at AZSteele123@aol.com so we might arrange payment and shipment.


Mark