I finally got around to replacing the heater core in my 78 Squire wagon... and need a few hints to finish the job.
First - if anyone is attempting this for the first time, please drop me a line and I can save you a few minutes and busted clips, perhaps,
Here;s my question - the seal around the core is pretty much destroyed- definitely nothing I can re-use. I cannot, however, find any replacement part anywhere I look. Is it not necessary to have a nice solid seal around the core before I reinstall it? I'd like to get this all back together in the coming week - apreciate any help you can provide.
Is the rubber seal around the heater core a MUST? can I use liquid silicon or something like it?
Thanks again!
See y'all in Carlisle!
i would want it back in mine. it would not be good to have the fresh cold air blowing in the car in the winter overpowering the heater. get a piece of 1 inch foam from a fabric store and some 3m foam adhesive and glue it in a circle and try that, it would be better than nothing.
Self adhesive door weatherstrip from the local hardware comes in several widths and thicknesses and makes a good seal. Save the silicone for sealing the blower case together. While you're in there check the foam seals on the diverter door also. Good luck! JT
I am in the middle of restoring my heater box NOW and am using a closed-cell 1/4" foam that I picked up at Michael's, which is an arts and crafts type of outlet. I cut the foam with a utility knife, and will glue it in place with weatherstrip adhesive. It should do the trick.
If you need pics let me know.
Chris
Thanks so much for the answers - extremely helpful! What I gathered from the three, was that: 1)I do need to have a seal in it, and 2) I can be creative about it. I used automotive door weather seal and fabricated a nice seal around it.
Thanks again!
Since that was so helpful... let me push my luck! ???
I have the heater unit mostly back togetherr now, and note that there is a spare electrical spade on the dash side of the unit, and a spare orange wire with a female spade plug on the engine side of the unit... PLEASE tell me they don't have to go together... I know it... I'm dreaming. Okay... instead - anyone got any great ideas of how to push the wire back through the firewall without removing the whole unit again?
Thanks again - first rounds on me at Carlisle. :P
not sure, im thinking i remember what your talking about. the motor wire goes back in the same hole the motor sticks thru. their is a rubber seal around the motor you might loosen the bolts and move the motor over enough but not sure, you could cut the wire and maybe get it thru and use a but splice, but hey you had it out once its not that bad, just belly up to it and pull her back out :lol:. i kid but seams i have to do every thing at least twice. So welcome to my world.
Grrreaaat.... thanks. Not the answer I was hoping for, but I kind of figured it was too much of a coincidence- that the wire and the spare plug hade to be connected. Oh well - now I know what I'm doing Saturday!
Thanks again!
Tom