'73 Original water heater - keep or chuck?

[Jamiep]

I have a 73 Overlander that I am gutting and modernizing. It has the original water heater and furnace.

I know that both the water heater has not been fired in 15 years. What is the likelihood that it will work decently with a bit of cleaning and tune-up? Or should I quit dreaming and just get a new one to avoid hassle...

thanks -Jamie

[cameront120]

If you get it running, how long will it last? If you're gutting the trailer, I'd go ahead and replace it with a new unit. That way you can get a new water heater that has an electronic ignition and operates on both propane and electricity, if you want. I'd also replace the furnace - chances are there's corrosion inside that you can't see until you take it apart and would have a hard time replacing.

[idroba]

Yep, just replace them both, not really worth fooling around with almost 40 year old units for safety, economic or convenience reasons.