Has anyone disassembled their heater box?

[In The Ten Ring]

Hey you guys. It's about time to start back on the truck, hopefully this spring will see me getting her back together.

The flapper in my heater box is rusted on both sides, the thing is held in there via a rivet, has anyone drilled that rivet out in order to clean up the flapper?

If I decided to do that, could the rivet be replaced with a bolt of some kind?

[In The Ten Ring]

ttt

[Ontcalimo]

I tried doing that but end up purchasing a new one.

[F.A.A.benny]

why not just replace with another rivet instead of using a bolt?

[kehstr]

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[In The Ten Ring]

Originally Posted by F.A.A.benny

why not just replace with another rivet instead of using a bolt?

That's a great idea but I'm not so familiar with rivets. I have a rivet tool but little experience doing riveting.

I guess since no one else has done it, I may have to lead the way!

[gainew]

Originally Posted by Ontcalimo

I tried doing that but end up purchasing a new one.

Did you replace the flappers (doors), or did you replace the whole heater box? Where did you get them? The doors in mine, I have factory air, are rusted and don't work. Thanks,Gaine

[Troynutts]

70 c10 (heater in off position fans not running)
It feels like the heater is always on, I can feel a lot of heat from the dash and I'm sure the truck isn't over heating Any ideas?

[F.A.A.benny]

Originally Posted by gainew

Did you replace the flappers (doors), or did you replace the whole heater box? Where did you get them? The doors in mine, I have factory air, are rusted and don't work. Thanks,Gaine

Could you post a pic of the flapper doors you are referring to? On a factory ac truck, the heater box has no flappers

[In The Ten Ring]

My flapper is inside of the rusted "backing plate".

Sorry, having problems with my camera and cannot get an interior pic.

[F.A.A.benny]

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

My flapper is inside of the rusted "backing plate".

Sorry, having problems with my camera and cannot get an interior pic.

You can remove that backing plate by drilling out the rivets. Here are a couple of pics of one removed and then reinstalled with new rivets

[In The Ten Ring]

Oh yes, I already have mine taken apart and that piece derusted and repainted, but what I need to know is, did anyone take their flapper out?

Mine is held in place by a rivet at the bottom......did you take that out to derust it? My flapper is rusty on both sides and I'd like to repaint it.

*Your's looks nice by the way. What size and type of rivets did you put that back with?

**Is that an aluminum heater core? If so, where did you get yours?

[In The Ten Ring]

OMgosh! I had the pictures after all! My camera isn't working right, but it works well enough I guess.

Here is the flapper I want to remove. Has anyone removed this so it can be painted on both sides?

[F.A.A.benny]

the flapper door is held by the rod, not by a rivet. I cant remember what size they are off the top of my head. would have to check. The core is aluminum and it came from the local atuo parts store advance auto. all the big auto parts stores have them. Would just order through their website and check which local store has it in stock. The flapper do was painted on both sides

[In The Ten Ring]

The flapper on mine is held by a rivet. Now it turns on a rod, but the rod is attached to a pivot and that is held by a rivet.

I do not have a pic and cannot get one for a few days a least.

[OregonNed]

This one is in mine, and it fits perfect. Amazon.com: Spectra Premium 94559 Heater Core:...

[F.A.A.benny]

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

The flapper on mine is held by a rivet. Now it turns on a rod, but the rod is attached to a pivot and that is held by a rivet.

I do not have a pic and cannot get one for a few days a least.

If you drill out that rivet, the pivot will simply come off, leaving behind the rod. The rod will not come off if you remove that rivet. The rod goes through the bottom of the heater box, going through the slots of the flapper and finally exiting out the top of the heater box.. Look at it a little closer. You'll see what I'm talking about.

[F.A.A.benny]

Originally Posted by In The Ten Ring

The flapper on mine is held by a rivet. Now it turns on a rod, but the rod is attached to a pivot and that is held by a rivet.

I do not have a pic and cannot get one for a few days a least.

ok now after reading your post again, I think I see what the issue is. I believe that you assume that if you remove the rivet and the pivot, that the rod will just slide right out. Well that is more than likely not going to happen. That rod goes through the slots of the flapper with pretty much a pressed fit, meaning its not just going to slide out.

[In The Ten Ring]

Originally Posted by F.A.A.benny

ok now after reading your post again, I think I see what the issue is. I believe that you assume that if you remove the rivet and the pivot, that the rod will just slide right out. Well that is more than likely not going to happen. That rod goes through the slots of the flapper with pretty much a pressed fit, meaning its not just going to slide out.

Really? My heater box is out in the garage right now and I'm too lazy to go back out there. If you are correct, it sucks!

I'd really like to paint the inner side of my flapper, what do you suggest?

[In The Ten Ring]

ttt!

Does anyone know how I can remove the flapper from my (non) AC heater box so I can derust it?

How does this go back together?

[mdeal]

I did just this back in December. To remove the rod from the flapper I took a punch and knocked it back through the box/flapper door. This was easier said than done. It also mushroomed the tip of the rod. I just took the rod to a bench grinder and smoothed it back out for re-installation. If I remember correct, mine was rusted pretty bad in there and it was a bear to get out. When you re-install it there is a flat side on the rod to help position it back in the correct location.
Patience. You'll get it.

[In The Ten Ring]

You know, you are completely correct about the rod!

I looked at mine closely and I can see what you mean. Now looking at my pics, do you think it's worth it to disassemble?

I really want to paint the parts to prevent future rust but is it worth it?

[mdeal]

To keep from pulling your hair out, you could just do a really neat job of taping up the rubber parts and hitting it with some rattle can. Of course, after prepping the surface with scotchbrite and some Grease & Wax remover. I don't think that this would be a problem at all. It may not be completely necessary to remove the rod and inner flap anyway. Most of the time what rusts is the plate between there and the firewall. I have a complete heater box at home that is eat out on the bottom of that metal panel. I lucked up and had a friend, that changed to Vintage Air, give me his old heater box that was in great condition. I put mine and the other one I had in a box and stored it away and used the good one. I still disassembled the box and painted everything and installed with new rubber/gaskets. You'll get it. Keep moving on it and don't let it whip ya!

[In The Ten Ring]

You are probably right. I did soak it in Evaporust and most of the rust came off. I could tape off the gasket and paint it, getting the outside. I could grease the parts on the bottom to ease the squeak and just go on. Since those parts are on the outside of the heater box, I could relube them from time to time, add that to "normal maintenance duties."

I ordered new gaskets from GMC Pauls and I really need to get this thing back together......I'll get past my desire to remove the flapper.