63 Heater Box/Core Install - Is this factory?

[Joe S.]

Below is a pic of the heater box inside the engine compartment. Does this look like factory cutout's for the heater core in/out? I have a new heater core and seal kit. But before doing surgery, does this need to go also or was this done by bubba?

Thanks,




Joe's 63 FI Convertible

[William C.]

Re: 63 Heater Box/Core Install - Is this factory?

Looks like the size of the holes has been given some extra "help"

[Stephen L.]

Re: 63 Heater Box/Core Install - Is this factory?

The picture of your existing box has been hacked on by a "shade tree special".
Possibly they installed a poor replacement core at some time.
If you have a new cover the holes will work "as delivered" assuming everything else lines up. I believe on a 63 there are also "donut" foam gaskets around the heater core pipes on the outside of the box. Check your AIM. It appears the heater core was not installed properly in the under dash enclosure causing a shift to the passenger side of the car and the necessity of butchering the cover. If you are removing the inner box, I would suggest you disassemble the core from the box, reassemble with a new core (these things tend to develop leaks with age and will probably fail when you least expect it too) and check the cover "fit" while the whole assy is still on the bench.

[Chuck G.]

Re: 63 Heater Box/Core Install - Is this factory?

Joe: If I remember correctly, there are a couple of different "designs" for the 63 cover. Don't have my JG in front of me now. Somebody hacked off the semi-lunar "nubs" on the cover in the pic. Chuck

[Joe S.]

Re: 63 Heater Box/Core Install - Is this factory?

Thanks guys. Bubba done good here. I already have the new core but even with the seals/donuts this will still show (and bother me). Will have to check the guide and also look around.

Joe..

"Every day is a new adventure - Ka-ching!)"




Joe's 63 FI Convertible

[Tracy C.]

Re: 63 Heater Box/Core Install - Is this factory?

Joe,

If the rest of the cover look OK, I'd fix this one. I've fixed a lot worse myself.

Do the glass work from the inside and use bondo outside to sculpt the correct contour. A localized shot of blackour paint when finished will provide a decent fix.

I'd think you would fair better on the judging field with a minor repair on an original than with a obvious repop.

tc

[Loren L.]

Bubba. I can hear the guy at the radiator

shop now "This is out of a Dodge Lancer, but it'll fit.".

[Joe S.]

Re: 63 Heater Box/Core Install - Is this factory?

Tracey,

That sounds like a great idea. I rebuilt the evap housing on my 78 and it wasn't that big of deal.

Any recommendations on what to use (Chemical?) to strip it down without harming the fiberglass?

Thanks,

Joe..




Joe's 63 FI Convertible

[Tracy C.]

Re: 63 Heater Box/Core Install - Is this factory?

Joe,

Lacquer thinner work fine. If you have a dotco sander (Harbor Freight $40 or local pawn shop for less), I'd recommend that you taper the inside surface from about an inch or so back to almost a knife edge toward the hole opening. Use polyester or epoxy resin and some random mat fiberglass for the repair. Go ahead and repair pass the hole opening.

As the resins cures, flip it over and smear the bondo over the outside surface of the repair area. It will bond without sanding if the resin is not completly cured. Come back the next day to sand the bondo to contour and retrim the hole.

good luck,
tc