C2 63 Interior Heater Box

[Harry Sadlock]

After a week of fiberglass work I've completed rebuilding the interior box. I'm about to start on the internal doors and the other metal parts, but what color are they, natural or black. They have a thin covering of surface rust. As I sand and brush I can not tell if they were originally painted or not.

Thanks in advance

Harry

[Mike M.]

Re: C2 63 Interior Heater Box

the metal flap valves within the heater box were unpainted steel. mike

[Tracy C.]

Re: C2 63 Interior Heater Box

Harry,

Mike is right. From the surface rust on mine it's pretty clear they were never painted.

However comma...

I'm going to disassemble, let them go for a swim in muratic acid and then paint 'em before they go back on the car.

Who will ever know the difference?

tc

[Harry Sadlock]

Re: C2 63 Interior Heater Box

Mike and Tracy, I have all the parts together, including the rebuilt kit from Dr.Rebuilt. I did a test with one of the rivets, sorry to say it became a smashed mess. Is there a specific tool I need or a technique I need to follow.

Thanks in advance

Harry

38513

[Tracy C.]

Re: C2 63 Interior Heater Box

Harry,

Its gonna be tough to buck rivets inside the heater box. If these are not viewable after installation, a pop rivet is the way to go.

If the heads or butts are viewable, you really need a bucking bar (palm sized chunk of steel) and an air hammer with the correct rivet set that matches the head of the rivet.

Hold the rivet down in place with the hammer/set and then put the bucking bar on the butt and squeeze the trigger. Also clamp the work pieces together to prevent a gap or shanked rivet.

Suggest you practice a couple of times on pieces of scrap metal and regulate the air pressure down to start with. Adjust pressure up until it does the job comfortably with a short burst or two.

good luck
tc

[Michael H.]

Re: C2 63 Interior Heater Box

Hey Harry -

Try reinforcing the area around the rivet before you install it. A couple of pieces of sheet metal sandwiched between the parts will distribute the crushing force and be invisible. I wrote an article on heater box repair in the Corvette Restorer a couple of years back which may be helpful. If you need a copy let me know and I'll mail you one.