1960 Defroster Distribution Box

[Zachary H.]

Hello all. Hope everyone is doing well. I apologize if this has been asked and answered. I need to replace my defroster distribution box on my 1960 and see they are available from different suppliers. My question is it looks pretty straight forward but that is what concerns me. So are there any tricks or wisdom that can be shared from those much more familiar with these cars and have done this before. Thanks for any help.
Zach

[Don H.]

Re: 1960 Defroster Distribution Box

Zach, I just replaced my original last year with a repro. As I remember it the worst part was getting the new defrost hoses on. Good luck, Don H.

[Zachary H.]

Re: 1960 Defroster Distribution Box

Thanks for the info Don.

[Richard M.]

Re: 1960 Defroster Distribution Box

Zach,

It is my understanding that the Defroster Box assembly was dusted with flat/satin black paint which covered the staples so they don't appear shiny.

And yes, as Don mentioned, it's a good idea to test fit the hoses to the outlets and defroster bezels as it's pretty tight under the dash to gain access.

A few photos of the box and its attaching screws below. Before I installed the heater assembly in the car, I removed the distribution box and I dusted some black paint to cover the staples on the face of this one.

Rich
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[Tom B.]

Re: 1960 Defroster Distribution Box

I looked at what's left of my original and I can't see if they were coated or not. All I have is rust. It seems like dusting those staples with black would follow along with other black out procedures that GM used at the time. Those shiny staples would have stuck out like a sore thumb.

Tom

[Zachary H.]

Re: 1960 Defroster Distribution Box

Thank you Richard for the great photos. My box shows some attempt at this but the staples are still a little shiny. In your pics the blower is also out of the car. I am assuming I can replace the distribution box without having to take the blower assembly out. This all started with the hose on the drivers side falling down and interfering with the accelerator pedal. I notice on my car there are no clamps to hold the hoses in place. Is this correct?

[E B.]

Re: 1960 Defroster Distribution Box

Zach, new box should come with a clamp. If you are going to use the old one, I nave a clamp you can have. The new one I bought had a interference issue with the defroster arm was hitting the carpet on tunnel. Had to cut the stem off to clear. Ed

[Richard M.]

Re: 1960 Defroster Distribution Box

Thank you Richard for the great photos. My box shows some attempt at this but the staples are still a little shiny. In your pics the blower is also out of the car. I am assuming I can replace the distribution box without having to take the blower assembly out. This all started with the hose on the drivers side falling down and interfering with the accelerator pedal. I notice on my car there are no clamps to hold the hoses in place. Is this correct?

Zach, You can change it with the heater assembly installed. My previous photos were after a rebuild just to show the distribution box. You may need a stubby screwdriver for the lower/bottom screw.

There are no other clamps to hold the defroster hoses, just the one mounted to the box, but note it faces up to hold the hose for the driver side. My previous photos showed it downward(and reversed) before hose attachment.

You can add a few tie-wraps to the driver side hose for added hose security if desired... maybe to the steering column. Remember to keep the hoses and wires away from the "sawing" action of the wiper cables.

Also try not to put too much pressure on the box or defroster outlets when installing hoses, especially if new hoses.

Found a few more.....
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[James G.]

Re: 1960 Defroster Distribution Box

Thanks Rich. Your contribution to the hobby is appreciated

[Zachary H.]

Re: 1960 Defroster Distribution Box

Thanks Rich. I will order everything up and tackle the job when it gets a little cooler out. No A/C garage.

Zach, You can change it with the heater assembly installed. My previous photos were after a rebuild just to show the distribution box. You may need a stubby screwdriver for the lower/bottom screw.

There are no other clamps to hold the defroster hoses, just the one mounted to the box, but note it faces up to hold the hose for the driver side. My previous photos showed it downward(and reversed) before hose attachment.

You can add a few tie-wraps to the driver side hose for added hose security if desired... maybe to the steering column. Remember to keep the hoses and wires away from the "sawing" action of the wiper cables.

Also try not to put too much pressure on the box or defroster outlets when installing hoses, especially if new hoses.

Found a few more.....
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