Topic: 65 heater box rebuild

[Chris]

Original heater box for June 64, 260V8 car.

I'm rebuilding my heater box for the first time this weekend. It's not been heating so I'm pulling everything out, putting in a new core and motor, cleaning the box, and putting on new seals.

What should I paint on the heater box, if anything? I've seen the housing for the blower motor painted semi-flat black and everything else left unpainted. I don't have a blast cabinet so I will just be claening the heater box by hand.

I'm following the disassembly instructions at this link:http://www.cjponyparts.com/mustang-heater-rebuild-kit-1965-1966-installation-instructions/a/311/

[carlite65]

originally the box was unpainted. i have used a dull clear in places to improve looks.

[kutzoh]

I used this article when restoring my heater box. Although it's for a Falcon I believe the heater box is the same.

http://www.joesfalcon.com/address.html

Hope this helps,
Greg

[jwc66k]

If you bead blast, wire brush or scrape the inside metal parts - PAINT THEM, but don't tell anyone. The metal interior is 50 years old and probably very rusty. Removal of rust also takes away a surface material called the "patina". Moisture will enter thru the cowl in normal operations and really rust everything away if it unprotected. Do not use primer, moisture will penetrate primer. As for the exterior, I use a semi-gloss clear (Eastwood Diamond Spray) very lightly. The brackets are semi-gloss black but clean the rivets and mask with 5/16-3/8 "dots" made from masking tape.
Check out the Library, 64-66 section, for a detailed motor how-to.
Jim

[J_Speegle]

Think there are at least two threads posted earlier here related to members efforts and success with the early heaters

[CharlesTurner]

Think there are at least two threads posted earlier here related to members efforts and success with the early heaters

Yep, it's nice to now have a good knowledge base to search!  :-)