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After more than two years finally have the A/C working! Neighbor with the tools, knowledge and stash of R12 repaid many favors after I'd replaced the compressor and paid (unusual for me) to have the accumulator replaced.
I'm in the process of throwing heater vent parts all over my garage... or at least, that's how it seems.
I decided that since I've taken my '74 down to the frame and rebuilt everything else, I probably should at least inspect the heater core. My plans are to take it to a local radiator shop where the proprietor will most likely tell me to replace it at which point I'll no doubt be charged some kind of fortune.
BTW, on a related note. I saw the post that claims that there are links to video's that others have posted regarding the R&R of the heater core. I tried but it was a "broken link". That's okay, I'm figuring it out.
Heater box is out, heater core has green stuff all over it so it has obviously been leaking, and the white plastic attachment point for the blend door (I think that's it) is broken. Can I buy just that or do I need an entire heater box? I've looked on a couple sites but since I don't know the proper terminology, I imagine I'll never get to the right place.
Also:
I saw that people have warned about Chinese heater cores, are the aluminum cores from China? Does aluminum work well for heater cores?
Heater box is out, heater core has green stuff all over it so it has obviously been leaking, and the white plastic attachment point for the blend door (I think that's it) is broken. Can I buy just that or do I need an entire heater box? I've looked on a couple sites but since I don't know the proper terminology, I imagine I'll never get to the right place.
Also:
I saw that people have warned about Chinese heater cores, are the aluminum cores from China? Does aluminum work well for heater cores?
A common problem. I was told the plastic part was not available and not being produced. I then did a functional "bubba" repair that is holding up fine (see photos).
A common problem. I was told the plastic part was not available and not being produced. I then did a functional "bubba" repair that is holding up fine
Call me "Bubba", I'll do that in the morning. I just happen to have some good quality epoxy waiting to be mixed.
I noticed that the mechanism is a bit difficult to operate and can't help but wonder if that's why the piece broke in the first place. Is there any guidance on how to adjust the linkage so that it operates a bit more smoothly? I can "Bubba" that part too if necessary, but if someone has already been down that road, I'd be willing to accept a little guidance.
Last edited by The_pakettle; 08-27-2016 at 01:31 AM.
Call me "Bubba", I'll do that in the morning. I just happen to have some good quality epoxy waiting to be mixed.
I noticed that the mechanism is a bit difficult to operate and can't help but wonder if that's why the piece broke in the first place. Is there any guidance on how to adjust the linkage so that it operates a bit more smoothly? I can "Bubba" that part too if necessary, but if someone has already been down that road, I'd be willing to accept a little guidance.
Lube EVERYTHING that moves. That really made the difference on mine.
Call me "Bubba", I'll do that in the morning. I just happen to have some good quality epoxy waiting to be mixed.
I noticed that the mechanism is a bit difficult to operate and can't help but wonder if that's why the piece broke in the first place. Is there any guidance on how to adjust the linkage so that it operates a bit more smoothly? I can "Bubba" that part too if necessary, but if someone has already been down that road, I'd be willing to accept a little guidance.
You should lube everything up...linkage-pivot points etc. Semi related is cable from temp controller to the top of the heater box. It can be lubed, but a weak point is the plastic tab that holds the cable housing to the controller frame in center console.
You should lube everything up...linkage-pivot points etc. Semi related is cable from temp controller to the top of the heater box. It can be lubed, but a weak point is the plastic tab that holds the cable housing to the controller frame in center console.
I'll do that. Planning on a graphite based lube since I don't want petroleum based lube to dry out with the extra heat. If anyone has a better suggestion, please tell me before I put it all back together. I don't really want to take the dashboard apart again.
I'm wondering if the white plastic part shown above failed because some of the doors are sticking.
Bubba visited my garage today. I used almost a half tube of epoxy and shaped a piece of flat-bar aluminum into a fork to hold the piece in place, then I put the epoxy over the whole thing. I am reasonably confident that it will work... I hope.
Update for the past few weeks. Got a much need center console arm rest from Ecklers corvette. Great color match and much added comfort. Cleaned it up a little myself then had a friend at a dealership give it a good exterior detail for Carlisle. Spent all day Friday up there, got the tops off for a pretty nice 2 hour cruise then put her away again until this upcoming weekend. Also picked up a pair of exhaust tips from Corvette America while I up there, cleans up the rear of the car really well. Most time I got to spend in the car since a got it, this last week, great weekend spent
Wasted two hours and nearly broke an A/C line to pull the blower motor on my '77 for this "fan Upgrade" non-sense that is out there on the forum. Fan will neither mount to original motor, nor even fit inside the hole in the fire wall. Now that I have spent all this time getting it out, I feel the need to replace it completely to lessen the chance of having to pull it again. Well, there goes $70 and a Sunday afternoon....
Had a few more brackets powder coated and the motor is getting really close to being done. Just waiting for new spark plug wires.
For those who may be wondering about that old oil filter covered with overspray, it is there for the time being. A new AC Delco filter will be installed at the last minute.
I picked up my heater core at the radiator shop and I'm putting the heater box back together. Using a liberal amount of epoxy on the broken housing pieces, and trying to find where all of those gaskets go that came with the kit. A detailed diagram would be nice.
The radiator shop guy said that he had definitely seen worse. It's been flushed, sealed and pressure tested.
I'm a happy guy.
Last edited by The_pakettle; 08-31-2016 at 02:54 PM.
Bracket slides off when not needed and the wire tucks back into the heater duct opening. Still needs to have the paint touched up but that can wait at this point.
M
08-23-2016, 06:50 PM
