Arvin 74 H heater for 1938 wagon
 

Although our wagon spent the last 15 years in Canada, it has no heater. I’d like to add one to extend the driving season here in Maine. The Arvin 74H looks like it might be a reasonable, period-correct choice; this said, I don’t want to install without some tried and true guidance regarding dash / firewall penetrations and plumbing. Thank you.

Re: Arvin 74 H heater for 1938 wagon
 

https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/iZEAA...NoO/s-l300.jpg


https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/j3gAA...XI/s-l1600.jpg

Re: Arvin 74 H heater for 1938 wagon
 

Exactly ! Now, how to mount and connect; have you installed one of these ?

Re: Arvin 74 H heater for 1938 wagon
 

if your battery is on the firewall it makes it very difficult to install any heater--not much room. it can be installed in the center or center right, but beware if you have to remove floor boards it gets a little tight. enought about the problems take the heater and hold it up around where you might want it. do a little relationship thing so you can see what is on the other side of firewall. make a template of the mount holes and the water outlet/inlet and use this to drill holes in the firewall.

Re: Arvin 74 H heater for 1938 wagon
 

Jacques, This is a correct heater in a '39 wagon I'd restored. It would fit the same in your '38 I believe and would look much more "proper" than the Arvin in my opinion.
I believe I have one of these in my stash if interested.

Re: Arvin 74 H heater for 1938 wagon
 

here's where i put the water line in mine instead of the hole in the radiator hose as recommended by ford

Re: Arvin 74 H heater for 1938 wagon
 

Thank you; what did you do for the return line ?

Re: Arvin 74 H heater for 1938 wagon
 

There should be a port for the NPT hose hose fitting in the head next to the radiator hose for the return.Here is a link to the shut off fitting I used .


https://www.ebay.com/itm/HEATER-HOSE...QAAOSwUf9ccAZE

Re: Arvin 74 H heater for 1938 wagon
 

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Re: Arvin 74 H heater for 1938 wagon
 

I think the Arvin heater you have is to large for a '38, I would suggest you take Kube's offer for a '39 heater..
My '36 has a '39 heater mounted on the passenger side of the firewall.

Re: Arvin 74 H heater for 1938 wagon
 

Thank you; Kube & Blucar, please let me know what you have in private stock.

Merci, Monsieur Deuce

Re: Arvin 74 H heater for 1938 wagon
 

What is shown is the return line, the input line is connected to the head near the radiator hose.

Re: Arvin 74 H heater for 1938 wagon
 

That particular Arvin will fit, IF you carefully locate the piping around the fuel pump AND manage to get it high enough for flap door to clear the shifter in reverse and second...

There is a very similar Arvin that angles in and has a chrome grate rather than the flap door. This would be a better choice.

Best choice would be the smaller 39 and 40 style unit as Kube mentioned. Although small, it puts out quite a bit of heat...you also get to take advantage on the factory 39 Ford installation guide for the "standard", which would be just right for your 38.

Re: Arvin 74 H heater for 1938 wagon
 

Before I moved to So Cal in April 56 I operated my '36 in Eastern Idaho, Wyoming and Utah, in temps in the low -30's. The '39 style heater did an excellent job in my car. The heater in my car has provisions for defroster ducts, there is a little knob on the upper left of the heater box that is pulled to divert air from the passenger area, they were never hooked up, no provisions in the dash, I have seen pictures of the defroster distribution ducts on the face of the '36 cars. The feature never appealed to me.

Re: Arvin 74 H heater for 1938 wagon
 

Would appreciate info on smaller heaters mentioned above as well as Ford installation instructions. Thank yoy

Re: Arvin 74 H heater for 1938 wagon
 

email sent :)