E-Bodies.org Cuda Challenger Forum

Technical Shop => Interior => Topic started by: soundcontrol on March 05, 2017, 01:27:05 PM

Title: Heater box repair
Post by: soundcontrol on March 05, 2017, 01:27:05 PM
I just bought a heater box that the delivery company smashed in to several pieces. What kind of plastic are those made of, and can they be repaired? If so what to use, fiberglass?
Title: Re: Heater box repair
Post by: anlauto on March 05, 2017, 01:29:30 PM
.....................and that's why I don't ship things :pullinghair:
Title: Re: Heater box repair
Post by: 750-h2 on March 05, 2017, 01:53:15 PM
Fiberglass is what I would use to repair that one.
Title: Re: Heater box repair
Post by: Cuda Cody on March 05, 2017, 02:27:17 PM
That pisses me off just seeing that!   :madashell:  What a waste.

I've never had to fix one that broke, but fiberglass is going to be a good option like 750-h2 said.  Let us know how it turns out.   :popcorn:
Title: Re: Heater box repair
Post by: soundcontrol on March 05, 2017, 03:41:45 PM
We, the seller and I, will contact the company tomorrow and demand some compensation for this. But it's still broken and has to be fixed. With fiberglass, I assume you add that to the in- or outside, to reinforce, but what kinda glue works on this material, to put in the crack, before you use fiberglass?
Title: Re: Heater box repair
Post by: Cuda Cody on March 05, 2017, 03:49:06 PM
It might be cheaper to just buy a new section.  But this might give you some ideas on how to repair it:

Title: Re: Heater box repair
Post by: Cuda Cody on March 05, 2017, 03:50:20 PM
This might be a good back up plan....

http://www.rosevillemoparts.com/product_info.php/p/70-74-e-body-non-ac-heater-core-housing-cover/products_id/6833
Title: Re: Heater box repair
Post by: Topcat on March 05, 2017, 03:51:09 PM
Sorry to hear what happened to your heater box.

Happened to me before as well.

There are 2 types of shippers:
Experienced shippers
Non experienced shippers

Think outside the box (no pun intended) to what's going in the box.

I've shipped some serious fragile items before without any damage.
The most challenging one ever was an early 1900's antique hand crank music box that had been in a fire.
It was more fragile than a balsa wood doll house. Made it to N.Y. without one piece breaking off.

Qualify the seller on his shipping experience if possible. 
Title: Re: Heater box repair
Post by: fc7cuda on March 05, 2017, 05:33:22 PM
That's sad to see.  Ironically I had a heater box get broke in transit too,  seller did a poor packing job.  After two weeks I got my money back after he filed a claim.  I didn't get the shipping cost refunded but did get to keep the box.  It was a non-air box and they're getting tough to find. Had a blower motor dated nicely so I have another spare. :welcome: :alan2cents:
Title: Re: Heater box repair
Post by: jimynick on March 05, 2017, 07:01:35 PM
I'd use a good, structural 2 part epoxy in the cracks and then a thin mat rather than cloth in the inside to reinforce/build it up. I'd also clamp the two halves together when gluing it up to make sure it didn't cure out-of-square. Good luck :cheers:
Title: Re: Heater box repair
Post by: Cuda Cody on March 05, 2017, 07:16:13 PM
If you are just using it for function, jimynick's suggestion of epoxy should work well.     :twothumbsup:
Title: Re: Heater box repair
Post by: anlauto on March 05, 2017, 07:18:32 PM
I'd toss that one and get another one :alan2cents:
Title: Re: Heater box repair
Post by: jimynick on March 05, 2017, 07:28:04 PM
You're right Alan, but did you forget the Sweden part of this equation? The poor guy's at the mercy of the shippers.
Title: Re: Heater box repair
Post by: anlauto on March 05, 2017, 07:29:58 PM
Okay....never saw that part.... :pullinghair:
Title: Re: Heater box repair
Post by: Timbbuc2 on March 05, 2017, 07:51:31 PM
 :iagree: Thats too much to repair
Title: Re: Heater box repair
Post by: 71GranCoupe on March 05, 2017, 08:32:39 PM
Considering having to get another one from the States or Canada, if me, I would see if a temporary repair would get me by until I locate another one. Won't take much more than a few $ to do a repair compared to buying and shipping one in right away. :alan2cents:
Title: Re: Heater box repair
Post by: soundcontrol on March 06, 2017, 02:30:32 AM
Thanks guys, I didn't know they made new enclosures. I will at least try to fix it first, see how it goes, than I always have the option to get a new one. If I get a new one I will ship in a container overseas so thats safe. The packing of this was not bad at all, but the shipping company must have put it thru an earthquake, hurricane of very heavy abuse, box was totally smashed up, I have a picture of the box prior to shipping, looks fine. This is not for my current Challenger though (have a Vintage Air unit for that). I'm just collecting parts for my -73 project, so I have a few years to solve this.
Title: Re: Heater box repair
Post by: usraptor on March 06, 2017, 07:54:44 AM
http://www.eastwood.com/rigid-plastic-repair-kits.html  I just ordered some of this to fix a few cracks in my grill.  I haven't tried it yet, but their reviews are very positive and their video on you tube shows them repairing large cracked/broken pieces like yours.  Just a thought.  Good luck.
Title: Re: Heater box repair
Post by: RUNCHARGER on March 06, 2017, 07:55:46 AM
Darn: That's ugly. It takes a lot of dedication to restore or even own these cars in Europe.
Title: Re: Heater box repair
Post by: soundcontrol on March 06, 2017, 08:06:01 AM
Quote from: usraptor on March 06, 2017, 07:54:44 AM
http://www.eastwood.com/rigid-plastic-repair-kits.html  I just ordered some of this to fix a few cracks in my grill.  I haven't tried it yet, but their reviews are very positive and their video on you tube shows them repairing large cracked/broken pieces like yours.  Just a thought.  Good luck.

Good tip! I will get this. I have a few cracks on my door panels also.
Title: Re: Heater box repair
Post by: usraptor on March 27, 2017, 05:24:48 PM
Quote from: soundcontrol on March 06, 2017, 08:06:01 AM
Quote from: usraptor on March 06, 2017, 07:54:44 AM
http://www.eastwood.com/rigid-plastic-repair-kits.html  I just ordered some of this to fix a few cracks in my grill.  I haven't tried it yet, but their reviews are very positive and their video on you tube shows them repairing large cracked/broken pieces like yours.  Just a thought.  Good luck.

Good tip! I will get this. I have a few cracks on my door panels also.

I've since used this on my grill and headlight bezels and I must say I'm very impressed.  Works really well.  Just follow the direction.  Good preparation is the key.
Title: Re: Heater box repair
Post by: soundcontrol on March 28, 2017, 02:36:04 AM
I tried to order a kit from my Eastwood dealer, but they were out, but they had another brand of the same stuff so I ordered that, hopefully its works as well.