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I have my heater box out and completely disassembled and before I put it all back together, I want to know if there is anything I should do to re-insulate any of the flaps or openings inside. I notice there is no foam insulation anywhere in the box. Should there be any? I have changed all the actuator diaphragms but I don't want to miss this opportunity to improve on the cooling capacity with summer approaching.
There is a bit of shredded foam stuck in both sides of the footwell distribution guide but that seems fairly meaningless to replace.
Is foam needed anywhere else? Say, on the comb flap, defroster flaps, or diverter flap? Following Hilton's example https://rennlist.com/forums/members/...h-new-foam.jpg I will refoam the footwell flap but are there any others?
Yes you need foam on the flap to help prevent hot air from the heater core from flowing when the temp is set to cold. I’m somewhat envious of tour project and would appreciate if you could post a r&r of your work
Are you referring to the footwell flap needing the foam or somewhere else? It would seem the hinged heater'barn doors' that run transversely across the box (controlled by the setting motor) would need some sealant somewhere but I don't see where it might go to seal off the heater core. Any ideas?
Barn doors partially open
Note: the AC evaporator is behind the set of doors, the heater core sits in front and has been removed to show the doors.
I have been meaning to start a thread about the blend door foam. I can't figure out how thick and how dense it was originally. All the examples I've seen are degraded.
I think it was fairly soft and 4-5mm originally. The stock foam had a "slick" water resistant skin.
I bought (a f*cktonne of) the following 4mm/157mil sound deadening self-adhesive PE foam for the maybe square-foot needed. Although it is quite soft I think it is still a little firmer than the original but I will probably use it...since I bought (a f*cktonne of) it.
It would seem the hinged heater'barn doors' that run transversely across the box (controlled by the setting motor) would need some sealant somewhere but I don't see where it might go to seal off the heater core.
Answered my own question. I disassembled the blend mechanism again and flipped it over to see where the barn doors met in the middle. There were remnants of foam still stuck on the top and bottom flaps so thats where I'll add some. Foam insulation on top flap, same as the bottom one not showing in photo
The foam in the heater distribution duct is a low density foam for noise. Note that early cars don't have this foam (or a way to attach it).
(aquarium sponge)
Ken, that's the stuff! I would try that in the heater box but I wonder how stable it would be in the 140 degree or so environment. I don't want to take this danged thing apart ever again.
just a word of cauton
i remember a few years ago a european car manufacturer recalled some cars as the glue used to stick the foam to the heaterbox melted when hot and over time would stick to the flaps not allowing them to open
OMG, it has been over four years since I bought that foam
Short answer: don't know. That foam should be perfect for the job but lot of stuff happened in that period and the '80 still sits, dash removed. The complexities (in my mind) of rebuilding the entire mouse eaten climate control system stalled momentum in favor of making the supercharged 89 properly driveable. That process has ended up taking all off my vanishing spare time, because: supercharged
I won't know if its suitable until it gets here but it should be thin and flexible enough if it looks durable.
Just spotted this - I used one of these two products.. not sure if Amazon AU ships them? If not, hopefully at least the words/materials will help identify suitable equivalents?
04-09-2020, 10:02 PM
Foam insulation in heater box?
