Mystery Furnace - Does Not Look Original. Should It Be Replaced For Safety?

[caitlyn567]

Airstream newbie here and feeling a little bit in over my head. We fired up the gas on our 1966 Overlander to test appliances and found that the furnace does not match that of the owners manual. Any ideas when this was made and if it's still safe to operate? If it should be replaced, can you share a ballpark of what I should expect to pay? Thanks!

[overlander63]

That looks like a 1970s-era replacement. I wouldn't trust it any further than I could throw your trailer. A replacement is around $800+, plus labor to install.

[Adventure.AS]

Originally Posted by caitlyn567

Airstream newbie here and feeling a little bit in over my head. We fired up the gas on our 1966 Overlander to test appliances and found that the furnace does not match that of the owners manual. Any ideas when this was made and if it's still safe to operate? If it should be replaced, can you share a ballpark of what I should expect to pay? Thanks!

It looks like a hole has rusted through the heat exchanger. If so, that would be extremely dangerous for carbon monoxide poisoning.

[TouringDan]

Originally Posted by overlander63

That looks like a 1970s-era replacement. I wouldn't trust it any further than I could throw your trailer. A replacement is around $800+, plus labor to install.

I completely agree. The heat exchanger could easily have a hole in it resulting in carbon monoxide getting into the air you are breathing. This could kill you. I would install a new furnace. It should be more efficient and the furnace fan should use less electricity. This will save your batteries when you are camping without hookups.

Dan

[overlander64]

Greetings caitlyn567!

Welcome to the Forums and the world of Vintage Airstream ownership!

I agree that the furnace shouldn't be trusted, and I seriously doubt that it was OEM from Airstream. Most furnaces utilized in Airstreams the size of an Overalander, particularly by the 1960s, were totally hidden within the cabinets with ducting to at least three or four places including the living area/kitchenette, bedroom, bathroom, and holding tank area. I have seen a furnace resembling that one in a friend's canned ham, and it wasn't ducted so I wonder what may have happened to the OEM ducting system -- that may be something that could complicate the installation of a new furnace -- also be prepared for the possibility that the exterior skin may need a patch as most of the new furnaces require a smaller intake/exhaust port than the OEM furnaces (the size difference was remarkable on my '64 Overlander).

Good luck with your investigation and project!

Kevin

[A W Warn]

Originally Posted by caitlyn567

Airstream newbie here and feeling a little bit in over my head. We fired up the gas on our 1966 Overlander to test appliances and found that the furnace does not match that of the owners manual. Any ideas when this was made and if it's still safe to operate? If it should be replaced, can you share a ballpark of what I should expect to pay? Thanks!

Your photo shows a rusty hole in the heat exchanger, down near the floor.
Do not use this furnace. It is not safe.

[75Bob]

That looks like the heater I threw away. I was told the original heater still worked but no way was I going to risk my life over keeping a 43 year old heater. I paid $840 for a new one. The new one came with round exit holes where as the existing ducting was all rectangular so I had to put in 2 adapters to make it fit. Junk it and be safe.

[perryg114]

Guess I got a deal when I got mine for $200. They have gone up.



Perry