Picture request - 67 heater box sealant

[Chris E.]

Ok gang, I'm getting down to the really fine details getting my car ready for Regionals.

I took a one point deduct at the Chapter level because my heater box on the engine side of the firewall did not have any sealant. I checked the AIM, and sure enough it calls for a sealant.

So, I have my "black goop" from Home Depot. I'm just curious if anyone has any close up shots of what it should look like. I know, I know, think "UAW worker"......

[Patrick T.]

Re: Picture request - 67 heater box sealant

Ok gang, I'm getting down to the really fine details getting my car ready for Regionals.

I took a one point deduct at the Chapter level because my heater box on the engine side of the firewall did not have any sealant. I checked the AIM, and sure enough it calls for a sealant.

So, I have my "black goop" from Home Depot. I'm just curious if anyone has any close up shots of what it should look like. I know, I know, think "UAW worker"......

My understanding is that the factory only put sealant on the firewall for "leakers", whatever that means. Anyway, here is a shot of my factory "leaker" when I restored the car. This indeed looks like a UAW sealant job. I did not put this junk back on and had no deducts at a recent Chapter meet. PT

[Ara G.]

Re: Picture request - 67 heater box sealant

I too wanted that "final detail" on my car as well and contacted some high level judges and they ALL told me the same thing - it was only used on ones that leaked. I am not going to try to replicate the look, but out of curiosity, what "goop" did you get at Home Depot? I asked the judges what they would recommend IF I decided to do it and none of them had any suggestions. Thanks and good luck....ARA

[Joseph M.]

Re: Picture request - 67 heater box sealant

I used a product called submarine sealer. Apparantly, it's used on heating and cooling equipment to seal certain areas. This product was recommended by an NCRS judge and I found it through a search on Google. I applied it with an old squeeze bottle like the ones used to put mustard on hotdogs. It came out pretty well, but took a long time to dry.
BTW this product can also be used to duplicate or touch up the wiper well area.

[Harry S.]

Re: Picture request - 67 heater box sealant

Chris, I agree with Patrick. I have seen many original C2's with NO sealant. I believe that it was only added when there was a leak during final test while on the line. Saying that, most had leaks, but should not be a point loss during judging today.

I find it amazing how rumor has become fact.

[John D.]

Re: Picture request - 67 heater box sealant

The AIM calls out for sealant between the heater box and the firewall as part of the base installation so there should be some visible sealer there...no?

I have seen deductions in situations with only a foam gasket between the two and no signs of goop whatsoever in the area.

jd

[Patrick T.]

Re: Picture request - 67 heater box sealant

The AIM calls out for sealant between the heater box and the firewall as part of the base installation so there should be some visible sealer there...no?

I have seen deductions in situations with only a foam gasket between the two and no signs of goop whatsoever in the area.

jd

John, I know someone who used black driveway caulk that you put in a caulk gun. Real black and really gooey. So I assume, from my picture above, it would only be applied to the top of the heater box? PT

[Chris E.]

Re: Picture request - 67 heater box sealant

what "goop" did you get at Home Depot?

I was told to go get roofing sealer. So I did.

I can't find a picture of it on Home Depot .com, but it was about $5 and was listed as roofing sealant.

I figure that if I put it on, they won't deduct for it.

[Chuck S.]

Re: Picture request - 67 heater box sealant

I was told to go get roofing sealer. So I did.

I can't find a picture of it on Home Depot .com, but it was about $5 and was listed as roofing sealant.

I figure that if I put it on, they won't deduct for it.

Probably not...if they don't know when/how it was applied, then they probably won't know what it looks like.

If the product you purchased is the black mastic sealant in caulking gun tubes, it probably won't appear as Patrick's picture...it's too thick and pasty. As you can see from the picture, the original sealant was applied as a thick liquid, and made runs down the firewall. Mine appeared to have entrained air/gas bubbles when applied, which could mean it was applied hot; but even in the 60s, that may have been an unacceptable injury risk.

Submarine sealer is a product sold in the southwest (West Texas, New Mexico, Arizona) that is painted in the bottom pan of evaporative coolers to seal and/or prevent corrosion. (Evaporative Cooler: A primitive form of air conditioning used in areas that typically have very low relative humidity, i.e. THE DESERT. It works well until around July, and then you yearn for refrigerated air conditioning. ) Submarine sealant is an asphalt based liquid, ususally sold in quart cans. It is the only modern product I know of that will replicate the original look.

[Chris E.]

Re: Picture request - 67 heater box sealant

Chuck, understood. If I have SOMETHING there, I think the judges will see it and move on. If we start "discussing" the shape, consistency and appearance of the heater box sealant, then we've officially gone too far. Besides, this whole thing isn't even mentioned in the TIM/JG.

[John H.]

Re: Picture request - 67 heater box sealant

I took a one point deduct at the Chapter level because my heater box on the engine side of the firewall did not have any sealant. I checked the AIM, and sure enough it calls for a sealant.

Chris -

No, it doesn't - those items noted are adhesives (in hundredths and thousandths of ounces), not sealant, to hold the gaskets in place during installation. The black goop sealant was used to repair water leaks.

[Patrick T.]

Re: Picture request - 67 heater box sealant...

Here is what the '67 Judging Manual says on page 91, Heater Box:

"Often, a spray-on heavy, rubber-like sealant is seen along the top and sides. This is a "Leaker" fix, and quite often, will run down on the front face of the heater box. This is a factory repair to be considered typical".

Notice it says often, not always. PT

[Chris E.]

Re: Picture request - 67 heater box sealant

Ok, at this point I'm leaning towards NOT putting it on my car. It wasn't there when I took the car apart. (see photo) I'm planning on printing that photo out and bringing it along, in case anyone second guesses me on it.

At my first flight judging, they dinged me a point, at my second flight judging, they didn't.

[Chuck S.]

Re: Picture request - 67 heater box sealant

Chuck, understood. If I have SOMETHING there, I think the judges will see it and move on. If we start "discussing" the shape, consistency and appearance of the heater box sealant, then we've officially gone too far. Besides, this whole thing isn't even mentioned in the TIM/JG.

It's your car and your decision, but in my opinion, bad thinking.

If the car has not been totally restored like Patrick's car, and the sealant was never on the car, I would not put SOMETHING on there just to satisfy a chapter level judge that doesn't even know what the judging guide says about the sealant.

Once in a pinch at a chapter meet, I was recruited to judge C1s and C2s because there was a shortage of judges. I knew as much about judging those cars as I knew about astrophysics, but I did try to follow along in the judging guide as much as possible. I expect those owners got an much easier judging that they should have expected.

[Michael F.]

Re: Picture request - 67 heater box sealant

chuck what part of the great nation of TEXAS are you located?

Mike