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Thread: Heater restoration

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Federal Way
    Posts
    906

    Heater restoration

    Two questions about heater restoration (for my 61):

    Heater Core- Unless this is leaking...should I just assume this is ok? Should I have any concerns with this at all?

    The black painted metal doors and trap door inside...mine have quite a bit of rust and clearly it would be best to remove them to blast and paint them. However, I still can't seem to find the replacement rivets. Anyone know where to find those?
    Don Bartlett
    Federal Way, WA
    61 Four Door Sedan
    144-6, 3 on the tree



  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    Fredrickson
    Posts
    977
    For my part, I had the heater box apart and didn't want to have to drain the radiator and pull it again later, so I replaced the core at that time. Not too expensive. As for the corrosion, I think all Falcons are corroded in the heater box (at least mine was). I didn't remove any rivets as all was solid, just rusty. I purchased a gasket set (many vendors available, and inexpensive), dis-assembled it, buffed rust away, repainted with Derusto and re-assembled with the new gasket kit. Just be careful to not break the fiber component halves while removing the clips holding the assembly halves together. I also replaced the defroster ducting and "paper bugles" with "plastic bugles" while all was apart.
    Last edited by SmithKid; November 26th, 2014 at 03:02 PM.


    Gene Smith
    Fredrickson, WA
    '65 Ranchero Deluxe
    302, EFI, 4-Spd
    Granada Discs

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    1,430
    What I did:

    1) New Heater Core (with tan carpet I didn't want a messy leak)

    2) Carefully removed the clips holding the two halves of the box together. I learned wrecking earlier boxes how easy it is to break the fiberglass bumps under the clips. Don't use a screwdriver between the clips and the fiberglass to pry. Maybe Roger can draw another poor diagram to show where to put the screwdriver and use leverage to kind of straighten the clip and lift over the bump.

    3) I taped up the fiberglass next to the door hinges and gave them a blast in the cabinet.

    4) I painted the doors and all metal Satin Black and left the fiberglass alone. Some have painted everything which looks great also.

    5) use the $15 kit to foam it up

    There are two thicknesses of heater cores. Mine should have used the thicker core but I am cheap and bought the thinner one for less. I have heard there is a factory spacer used on some boxes, I used Frost King weather stripping from Home Depot to make up the difference (I think 1/2")

    Jeff Watson
    Seattle, WA
    '63 Tudor Wagon (170 - 3 spd.)

  4. #4
    Quote Originally Posted by Jeff W View Post
    Maybe Roger can draw another poor diagram...


    Roger Moore

    63 "Flarechero"
    powered by: 347ci stroker | Tremec T5 | 8" 3:45 TracLoc rear



  5. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Location
    Seattle
    Posts
    1,430
    No offense intended. I was quoting you when you drew the picture to help understand he removal process for the drip rail stainless. It was a very quick but helpful diagram showing the cross section of the drip rail and securing bends in the dress up strip.

    Since the correct removal for the heater box clip is also cryptic, I though one of your simple drawings would help.

    Sorry I you took it the wrong way.

    Jeff Watson
    Seattle, WA
    '63 Tudor Wagon (170 - 3 spd.)

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Federal Way
    Posts
    906
    Thanks guys...
    It seems like nobody is removing the doors. Likely god advice.
    Everyone put in a new heater core.
    And, I have broken the plastic a bit in one place at a clip, but I think I can envision what you mean Jeff.
    I do have the gasket kit already.
    I'll update this post when I get deeper into it...
    Don Bartlett
    Federal Way, WA
    61 Four Door Sedan
    144-6, 3 on the tree



  7. #7
    Quote Originally Posted by Jeff W View Post
    No offense intended.
    I seem to always get the bad heebie jeebies directed at me. No matter what I do, how often I help, in whatever ways I try to help - I always get the shortest stick handed to me. Why is that? I often ask "why do I even try helping?" "What's it all about?" "Is this really my lot in life? "What 'is' the meaning of life?"

    It's always go, go, go, do, do, do, help, help, help, post, post, post... then... moan, moan, moan.

    Whoa is me.

    post-mechanic-stress-disorder.gif

    OK, got that off my chest.

    We're all good now.



    Roger Moore

    63 "Flarechero"
    powered by: 347ci stroker | Tremec T5 | 8" 3:45 TracLoc rear



  8. #8
    And just so we are REALLY clear - that was fully satirical.

    Or was it....







    Roger Moore

    63 "Flarechero"
    powered by: 347ci stroker | Tremec T5 | 8" 3:45 TracLoc rear



  9. #9
    Join Date
    Aug 2009
    Location
    Sequim
    Posts
    2,117
    Wow do we need to break out the cheese??
    63 Sedan Delivery
    5.0 HO EFI AOD 8" rear

  10. #10
    Sometimes you just need to live on edge [of insanity] a little. And by golly I deserve it.

    Roger Moore

    63 "Flarechero"
    powered by: 347ci stroker | Tremec T5 | 8" 3:45 TracLoc rear



  11. #11
    Join Date
    Dec 2006
    Location
    Mill Creek
    Posts
    1,224

    > Interstate Highway Speeds

    Don't fall over the edge though.
    Larry Smith
    1964 Futura
    347 stroker



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