Rebuilding heater box question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
Rebuilding heater box question
Hello
I am about to start rebuilding my heater box in my 71 with AC. New seals heater core and if I can find it what ever that broken part is in the photo. Does anyone know where I can find what appears to be some sort of a hinge? If not any ideas on how to repair the broken one that I have. How about what do you call it so I do not have to refer to it as the “broken thingy?”
Many thanks
Scott
I am about to start rebuilding my heater box in my 71 with AC. New seals heater core and if I can find it what ever that broken part is in the photo. Does anyone know where I can find what appears to be some sort of a hinge? If not any ideas on how to repair the broken one that I have. How about what do you call it so I do not have to refer to it as the “broken thingy?”
Many thanks
Scott
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 3
From: Nixa Missouri
Sorry roco71, I'll call it the broken thingy. I just finished mine and everything was in good shape and not trying to rub it in but can suggest the old junk yard with GM cars laying around. I'll see what I can drum up for you.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
Thanks for the reply GPGG70. I have looked around on some other GM sites hoping to find a “thingy” no luck yet. It really does not look like it a Corvette specific part. I do not understand what the function of the rectangular hole is that it covers. Otherwise why couldn’t I just epoxy it down?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 893
Likes: 7
From: Orange Park Florida
If you can make it up to Sevierville, TN in late March (and October), there is a Corvette Expo. You can find all sorts of new and used parts for very good prices. I make a list and go there twice a year.
There will be hundreds of vettes and many, many vendors.
There will be hundreds of vettes and many, many vendors.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 3
From: Nixa Missouri
Thanks for the reply GPGG70. I have looked around on some other GM sites hoping to find a “thingy” no luck yet. It really does not look like it a Corvette specific part. I do not understand what the function of the rectangular hole is that it covers. Otherwise why couldn’t I just epoxy it down?
I'm haveing a hard time finding that part as well. I also thought it might be a corvette specific item as well be got to thinking this is a unit that GM purchased from a vendor at the time of the St louis build so I'm trying to think outside of the box. This door and plastic retainer thingy should or could be on a lot of other GM cars to be able to open & close that door to regulate the air flow. So in theory there should be thousands of these Thingy parts out there, so I'm trying to pinpoint the name and even the brand of the heater/AC housing.
Is that the defroster door or the divider door that regulates the air to flow to either the AC vents or flow down on the floor. Sorry I can remember what that door is for.
It will be tonight before I can start looking again for it.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
Just a tip - when you mount the A/C heater housing to the firewall, I would use 3M dum dum. The product is black and comes in long strips, it never hardens but it stops all hot air from engine compartment entering the AC box, I did the new seals and mine still leaked.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
Thanks for the tip on th 3M strips I just happen to have some. Did you apply it between the box and firewall sort of like a gasket or apply it around the gap between the box and firewall?
Thanks
Thanks
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
I would mock up the box to the firewall and look for gaps. The seals are just light foam. If I did it again I would use dum dum instead of the overpaid foam/gasket, I paid for.
Here are som pics
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 303
From: Lansdale 19446 PA
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '10-'11, '15, '19
If I may add one more suggestion - take the new heater core to a radiator shop and have them re-solder the two tubes where they attach to the core. Then have it pressure tested.
Didn't do that on my 69 or 78 and BOTH leaked at start up from that solder joint. Bad enough doing them once - twice sucks!
Didn't do that on my 69 or 78 and BOTH leaked at start up from that solder joint. Bad enough doing them once - twice sucks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,363
Likes: 303
From: Lansdale 19446 PA
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '10-'11, '15, '19
Heater Cores
One I got from Pep Boys and the other was directly from the local Chevy dealer - they were almost identical - both made in Mexico but PB was 1/3 cheaper. Wherever you get it, check the solder joints - they are very thin.
If I can get some PIX -I will post to show the difference.
John
If I can get some PIX -I will post to show the difference.
John
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 3
From: Nixa Missouri
Hello
I am about to start rebuilding my heater box in my 71 with AC. New seals heater core and if I can find it what ever that broken part is in the photo. Does anyone know where I can find what appears to be some sort of a hinge? If not any ideas on how to repair the broken one that I have. How about what do you call it so I do not have to refer to it as the “broken thingy?”
Many thanks
Scott
I am about to start rebuilding my heater box in my 71 with AC. New seals heater core and if I can find it what ever that broken part is in the photo. Does anyone know where I can find what appears to be some sort of a hinge? If not any ideas on how to repair the broken one that I have. How about what do you call it so I do not have to refer to it as the “broken thingy?”
Many thanks
Scott
Roco71,
Just wanted to let you know I'm still looking for the dang broken thingy and the closest I've been able to find is a heater box with a none broken thingy retainer on it. This is one hard part to find.
