HydroFlame heater removal, '65 Caravel

[SSTANK05]

What is the trick to removing the Hydro Flame heater? I have removed all the interior mounting screws and the exterior screws that fasten the heater exhaust vent to the exterior skin. I cannot get the exhaust pipes to seperate from each other to allow removing the heater from the interior cabinet. The stove/oven has been removed so I have clear access to the heater and exhaust.
Thank you !

[Alumanutz]

I'm not sure I understand. On my 1966 I removed the outside cover and pulled the heater out. I did remove the propane line but I don't understand "get the exhaust pipes to seperate from each other" Is this a water heater or a furnace?

[65CV]

Aluminutz has a different style heater.

Sstank05,

I don't have time to take pix of the separated pieces until after work today. The exteriior mounting flange and heat shield are attached to a tube within a tube that are about 10-12" long. That will separate from the exhaust tube that is part of the hydroflame.

BTW, if anyone needs a complete, untested hydroflame, it's yours for the cost of shipping.

John

[SSTANK05]

Thanks for the replies, yes Aluminutz has a different heater than the Hydroflame.

65CV- I've seen photos posted here somewhere of the two components (exterior flange with exhaust tube and the interior heater box with its exhaust tube) seperated, but mine dont seem to want to seperate while pulling either from the outside or inside.
Like I said, with the stove removed I have a clear access to the entire heater and exhaust but I'll be darn if I can see what is keeping them from seperating!
Thanks again for the replies !

[65CV]

Sstank05-

Could it be corrosion that's holding things together? Maybe a little penetrating oil and a lot of muscle.

John

[Darol Ingalls]

SSTANK05, Chances are you're NOT going to get them apart. The fit is very close and the material of both inner and outer tubes is steel. Condensation forms every time the furnace runs and rusts the two pieces together. Since you have the stove out, you MAY be able to tap (beat??) on the tube and get the outer one loose, but the inner tube is not accessable. If you're replacing the heater with something modern, such as the Atwood 12k BTU forced air unit, you can simply cut the old heater tubes with a hacksaw. Darol

[D Bishop]

I just removed my Hydo Flame. I had to remove the tape that covered the joint between the outlet from the Hydro and the pipe leading to the exterior outlet, then it was mostly just musle and grunt to pull them apart. There is an inner pipe and an outer. Once the tape was removed it didn't take too much to pull them apart. If you have the Range removed you could use a recripcating saw and saw them in two but I don't think that has to be done. I replaced the Hydro Flame with a Glo Warm mounted on the wall of the refrig. I have had it in about a week and it is working very well. That is good since we had snow here the last two days. We live at 7800 Ft. elev. so winter is coming. So much for Global Warming.

Good luck,

D Bishop

Originally Posted by SSTANK05

What is the trick to removing the Hydro Flame heater? I have removed all the interior mounting screws and the exterior screws that fasten the heater exhaust vent to the exterior skin. I cannot get the exhaust pipes to seperate from each other to allow removing the heater from the interior cabinet. The stove/oven has been removed so I have clear access to the heater and exhaust.
Thank you !

[SSTANK05]

I'm currently sort of ignoring the HydroFlame (that has not yet come apart) while I install new floor tile. It appears that the pipes are rusted together as others have suggested. I did look at your posted photos and I have a question about the shower curtain track in your Caravelle. Is that the original curtain track, or something customized? Would it be possible for you to take a more close-up photo of the track and how it is mounted/fastened to the ceiling ? Thanks again, I really like the polished aluminum theme with your canoe, very clever! Where is Silver Cliff, Colorado? I'm pretty familiar with Western Colorado but don't know where SC is..... thanks again, Doug R

[D Bishop]

I will take closeup pictures of the track tomorrow. The track is original. I have removed the curtain and have it stored away for future use. I suspect you are correct about the rust holding the pipes together. You may very well need to use a recriprocating saw and just saw them apart.

If you want to send me your direct e-mail address to dbishop38@centurytel.net I will send you the closeup pictures directly.

Don