1960 gas heater install in a 63

[N8]

I have a gas heater from a 60 I am installing in a 63. From the manual it looks like fresh air intake is supposed to come from the passenger side fender area. Does it need to be the size of the housing flange which is sort of a D shape or can I just do a 2" or 3" hole? At the bottom of the fender where I guess air would draw from is only a 1" hole. I have not been able to find images of what the 60 intake hole looked like.

Here is a photo of the Frunk with the heater installed with no intake hole yet:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/JnJ6gGuuXVBNJHjA6

Any info or photos of a 60 frunk that show the intake hole would be appreciated.

[cnicol]

I don't have a photo of my (long gone) '60 Monza trunk, but I do have this from a manual:

[toms73novass]

If you are speaking of the "d" shape plate near the firewall, you remove the plate and the outer housing bolts right up.

[toms73novass]

FYI, if you do not have the "d" shaped plate then you have a 64 body.

[N8]

Thanks guys! Definitely a '63. Maybe a late 63? Has all the 63 trim and no leaf spring in back. There was a knock out for the round hole for the combustion blower so I'm good there. If it is in fact supposed to be a D shape cutout at the heater I can trace the shroud and make that cut. I'm curious where the intake air is drawn from outside the car. The only hole I found is at the bottom of the fender near the door and its only about 1". There must be another hole somewhere to justify the large D cut right?

[toms73novass]

The air enters at the grill near the windshield, the cowel. That feed air to the inside floor pull vents and also the intake air for the gas heater.

I was mistaken with the "d" cutout, I was confusing it with my 62. My 63 did not have the cutout, I had to add it when I installed the heater.

[cnicol]

Interesting question about the source of fresh air.
Here's what's in the '60 service manual description: (emphasis added)

"Outside air is drawn through the cowl vent and into the heater through an opening in the right of the fender wheelhouse area and forced into the car interior through the blower case and air distributor assembly."

"Cowl Vent" means the grille below the windshield.

I've done a few of these conversions, as have others, so you'll get some help here. One thing I'll mention is the "regulator tee", which is mounted on the right rail more or less next to the gas tank. This regulator looks like a conventional brass tee but it isn't. The regulator spills excessive fuel pressure into the gas tank using a small return line directly into the top of the gas tank.

[whubbell]

FYI, if you do not have the "d" shaped plate then you have a 64 body.

Actually they removed the d plate mid-‘63 model year.

The gasoline heater for cars was technically not available after 1961 model year ended. It was offered as both factory and dealer option for 1960s, dealer only option for 1961s, and then removed entirely beginning in 1962. The 1962 sales brochure does list it as a dealer option, but it was never given a part number or price after 1961. The sales brochure was printed early, and a late decision to make the direct air heater standard for all 1962 cars caused the late decision to remove the gas heater option. Trunks continued to have the d shaped hole w/cover plate until mid-63 when both rear trunk corners were sealed up. They remained that way until very early 1964 when stamped louvers were added to both rear trunk conrners.