HVAC Guys...old Dayton NG/LP issue

[EarlyWood]

I got a Craigslist Dayton 1985 3E368A heater.
It looks exactly like this with the vent on top.
http://www.grainger.com/tps/hvacr_da...it_heaters.pdf

Was told it was running on natural gas, I need to convert to propane... I took it apart to check the manifold jets in prep for potential swap..

After removing the shroud I saw a problem with the hot air chamber in the pic...
How big of an issue is this?
Can I fix this?
Does it need fixing? It's just an air chamber right? ...and the exterior shroud covers it.
It's the only chamber showing this damage...

Also the jet I removed has a number 49 on it....any input on that?..I wanna make sure this hasn't already been converted...

Also...is any propane service in their right mind going to hook this thing to a tank?
























thanks for any info

prob a tech talk deal but this has more traffic...need shop heat soon

[jimmy]

Also...is any propane service in their right mind going to hook this thing to a tank?



prob a tech talk deal but this has more traffic...need shop heat soon

Really??

Looks like you got a cracked heat exchanger. Only problem is the CO will not go up the flue it will migrate into the heated space. You have a #49 orifice which is approx 15k BTU on natural gas. You need about a #56 for LP. Also need a pilot orfice and/or an LP regulator for the gas valve plus the heat exchanger if you can get parts. Grainger says this unit is NLA, did you get it for freeeeee?

[EarlyWood]

Thanks jimmy...that's the info I'm looking for...
there are Dayton conversion kits that say "can be used with any model except.." and they only list one exception..not mine...of course they may mean can be used with any "current model"....calling Grainger's tech support was supposed to happen today but it didn't...bad cell phone service and general busy stuff..

There's only one cracked chamber...Can I plug the manifold orifice that's serving that one chamber by inserting an undrilled brass fitting...will this change the dynamics of anything technical??

Got for "almost" free ....

[Todd Zander]

everything has moved to a flue with a draft inducer blower motor, so no parts available.
And if it's cracked beyond what's pictured (most likely) "most" gas guys wont touch it.

[EarlyWood]

everything has moved to a flue with a draft inducer blower motor, so no parts available.
And if it's cracked beyond what's pictured (most likely) "most" gas guys wont touch it.

no, it's not cracked beyond what's pictured...

[jimmy]

There's only one cracked chamber...Can I plug the manifold orifice that's serving that one chamber by inserting an undrilled brass fitting...will this change the dynamics of anything technical??

Got for "almost" free ....

Well almost free is a pretty good price. I'd give the plug the hole a try if you are sure that's the only cracked pan, maybe buy a CO detector and take it for a spin. LP conversion kit can't cost too much.