Cutting no corners

Spending as much time as has been spent to restore the inner heater box is a lesson in patience since absolutely no one will ever see it — especially on the inside. The results look amazing and it should function as new.

This was in rough shape before it was disassembled, cleaned and restored. The rivets that hold it together were drilled out and all the metal parts were sandblasted and retreated using the black oxide kit before being riveted back on. New mounting studs and heater core were also installed along with a new foam seal rebuild kit. The exterior was polished with Scotchbrite pads and then coated in a matte clear coat, which totally transformed it.

A new heat/defrost vacuum actuator was ordered,  but the smaller actuator that cuts air flow through the box is no longer available so it will be need to be carefully replated.

Once all the parts come in, the back can be riveted back together and the assembly can be set aside.