Defrost vent / flap

DD (CA)

DD (CA)

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CAT Member
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Anyone able to share details on the function of the defroster mechanism? In particular I am curious...

The felt piece was pinched between the sharp cut outs inside the "splitter". I am assuming this is stock. Only functions I can determine are to prevent flap from constant chatter and stop moisture from being blown from heater box to vents to windscreen. I doubt this works and bet it only acts to prevent air flow, yes?

I am considering either placing a soft rubber foam on flap or flap contact point to handle the first issue... Or plasti-dip the edges only. Will definitely be replacing the foam seal on top (mates to bottom of heater box rectangular opening) with a moisture phobic foam rubber seal.

But the felt moisture "screen" may just go away(?)

Thanks for your knowing instruction

Ps: the whole piece was blasted, epoxy primer sealed and now painted. It's in great shape.
 
Correct, the felt insures you have the maximum flow to defrosters or heater, whatever you choose. With as little as 1/4" left open, you can lose a substantial amount of flow. With everything freshened up, it works rather well.

Paul


DD (CA) said:
Anyone able to share details on the function of the defroster mechanism? In particular I am curious...

The felt piece was pinched between the sharp cut outs inside the "splitter". I am assuming this is stock. Only functions I can determine are to prevent flap from constant chatter and stop moisture from being blown from heater box to vents to windscreen. I doubt this works and bet it only acts to prevent air flow, yes?

I am considering either placing a soft rubber foam on flap or flap contact point to handle the first issue... Or plasti-dip the edges only. Will definitely be replacing the foam seal on top (mates to bottom of heater box rectangular opening) with a moisture phobic foam rubber seal.

But the felt moisture "screen" may just go away(?)

Thanks for your knowing instruction

Ps: the whole piece was blasted, epoxy primer sealed and now painted. It's in great shape.
Click to expand...
 
Rare Find

DD (CA) said:
Anyone able to share details on the function of the defroster mechanism? In particular I am curious...

The felt piece was pinched between the sharp cut outs inside the "splitter".
Thanks for your knowing instruction

Ps: the whole piece was blasted, epoxy primer sealed and now painted. It's in great shape.
Click to expand...

Gee whizzzzz! Up here in the Nor'east we just don't find that felt piece surviving in the first place. The winter mice luv em'. It does have a function, though.
 
DD (CA) said:
Anyone able to share details on the function of the defroster mechanism? In particular I am curious...

The felt piece was pinched between the sharp cut outs inside the "splitter". I am assuming this is stock. Only functions I can determine are to prevent flap from constant chatter and stop moisture from being blown from heater box to vents to windscreen. I doubt this works and bet it only acts to prevent air flow, yes?

I am considering either placing a soft rubber foam on flap or flap contact point to handle the first issue... Or plasti-dip the edges only. Will definitely be replacing the foam seal on top (mates to bottom of heater box rectangular opening) with a moisture phobic foam rubber seal.

But the felt moisture "screen" may just go away(?)

Thanks for your knowing instruction

Ps: the whole piece was blasted, epoxy primer sealed and now painted. It's in great shape.
Click to expand...

I am working on mine as well. The gasket between what you show as a referbished piece and the rest of the assembly on my car is woefully deteriorated. Looks like it may have been about an 1/8 or more thick. If you are replacing yours, I am guessing you may have made your own. If so, where did you find material to make it? Or did you find one alredy made?

Thanks, Gene
 
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cobrakidz said:
Derek--this is California, we don't use our heaters....haha
Click to expand...

I well understand the humor in the observation.:)

But, I cannot help but say some of my most enjoyable times in my new Tiger back in the 60's was just cruising around Orange County on a summer night. Being new to the area, if was fun just to get in the car and drive and see where this or that road went. I would have the top down, a light jacket on, and the heater going to just take off the edge of the cool evening air. Occasionally had the tonneau cover on as well to hold in a bit more of the heat. Fond memories. :D

Gene
 
I learned my lesson here in Calif--I restored my hardtop but the car is too hot for me with it on, so I have a restored hardtop holding my garage wall from falling over. haha.
 
Yup. More concerned to prevent excess heating

To interior actually. But trying to figure out what's "correct operation." I will add more pictures of the splitter and felt. After speaking with bill today, I think the felt was located in the wrong place on our car. It covered the holes rather than being attached to the flap itself. But, either way I see gaps in flow or potential leaks of hot air into the cabin.

Gene, I plan to use the dynamat dynaliner foam as the felt and gasket replacement. This is closed cell and rated to up to 250F in theory. I bought 1/4, but it's available in 1/8 and 1/2 thick versions. Ain't that cheap. Was $50 for about 4 sq ft. Plan to use it on top of dynamat over trans tunnel and at firewall interior. It's black, but the print logo bugs me. Figured since I have it it would also work well in this gasket and the heater core end wrap applications. May also use for blower fan gasket. It's nice due to pre-applied adhesive on one side. I figure it will be possible to better seal air and prevent leaks. But... It may not last as long as the original stuff. But the vermin shouldn't care for it either. ;)
 
Heater core install upgrade

As briefly mentioned in Dynamat post, I've elected to use this "heat and moisture resistant, sound deadening" dynalite foam in 1/4" thickness to upgrade and replace the original felt and nerf football type foam gasket inside the heater core area.

Original bits shown for comparison.

Also, the rubber drain had a cloth / tar adhesive type tape keeping the part attached to the engine bay side firewall and likely preventing movement and helping any extra moisture find it's way to the duckbill. Well, I used the high tack dynamat at re-install. Should be every bit as grippy, water resistant, etc. For period look, I over taped in black cloth. There are parts that are uncovered, and the cloth may not last long. But, it looks period-ish and now the heater core vent will be sound deadened too, lol.

Gene, if you've not found a solution for the under dash vent gasket yet, I'll also be cutting one of those and should have enough material for an extra.

I'll also be ordering the thinner 1/8" for use under carpets on floorboard, and some other spots (rear deck maybe).

Concerns: Adhesive used for taping to HC, likely to melt I'd think. This will create fumes/smells/other issues. But, relative to the old felt or newer felt with moisture...I'll be the guinea pig. The top gasket (inside the HC box) and the lower gasket are no brainers, should be much better seal and water avoidance.

Very snug in there, took a couple trips under the dash pulling and in the engine bay wedging to get it past the taped on rubber drain (solid! for now..). Now doesn't move unless forced significantly and no chance with hoses attached.

Nice to be putting stuff back in! After dynamat, then harness, then tail lights and fuel tanks... gimme a day or two or three...

Derek
 
DD (CA) said:
As briefly mentioned in Dynamat post, I've elected to use this "heat and moisture resistant, sound deadening" dynalite foam in 1/4" thickness to upgrade and replace the original felt and nerf football type foam gasket inside the heater core area.



Gene, if you've not found a solution for the under dash vent gasket yet, I'll also be cutting one of those and should have enough material for an extra.


Derek
Click to expand...

Derek, thank you for your very kind offer. Please send me a PM on what would be the cost and shipping.

BTW, I really like all your work in the heater box area. I don't think Rick sells any of this stuff that you are replicating. Might be a nice little sideline for you to make up a supply of these things and sell them through the Forum if there is enough demand.:D

Gene
 
Better than my fix

Having a excess of inner tubes from my motorcycles and contact cement my fix tis not as grand as yours, at least it can't be seen:)
 
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