Author Topic: Heater box and blower foam replacement- Best Alternative  (Read 1358 times)

BLTZKRG

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Heater box and blower foam replacement- Best Alternative
« on: December 12, 2022, 00:21:23 »
I had to strip out virtually the whole of my dashboard to rebuild the heater core in my 1970 280SL
I noticed that whenever you pulled anything apart the foam would disappear into dust...I tried finding suitable foam but could find nothing thin enough, I tried using the thin white packaging material, it was simply useless...Then I discovered something very simple, we have a local store that sells Velcro on a roll, its self adhesive. I simply used the soft side and it works perfectly

Here is one of my heater boxes, its such an easy thing to use



Tyler S

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Re: Heater box and blower foam replacement- Best Alternative
« Reply #1 on: December 12, 2022, 00:46:51 »
Nice job! As these cars age and more parts go NLA, Improvising is becoming a common theme.
1968 (67) 250sl. 4 speed manual. DB180 Silver
1955 220 Cabriolet A. White Grey
2019 E450 Wagon. Majestic Blue
1936 Ford PU Flathead V8. Creme on tan interior.
1989 Volkswagen T3 Westfailia Campmobile. Dove Grey (blue)

roymil

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Re: Heater box and blower foam replacement- Best Alternative
« Reply #2 on: December 12, 2022, 04:21:47 »
thank you for that tip!   I was just about to start putting my dash and heater back together and this will sure be helpful.
Mark Miller
1968 280SL
Rode in his pagoda's first mile.

rwmastel

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Re: Heater box and blower foam replacement- Best Alternative
« Reply #3 on: December 12, 2022, 15:21:59 »
I will probably get into this job this winter.  I've never been into that area of the car.  What is the purpose of the foam?
Rodd

Did you search the forum before asking?
2017 C43 AMG
2006 Wrangler Rubicon
1980 450SL
1966 230SL

Jonny B

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Re: Heater box and blower foam replacement- Best Alternative
« Reply #4 on: December 12, 2022, 16:35:48 »
My good friend Barry and I have done this job twice, once on his car, and once on mine. He found a roll of foam material with an adhesive backing. We were able to use that quite easily. I don't recall the vendor but it was nothing exotic. I will double check with him to see if he remembers.

The foam provides a seal between all the hard plastic pieces of the blower box, heater core cover - which, as has been stated, turns to dust over time.
Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor

Jonny B

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Re: Heater box and blower foam replacement- Best Alternative
« Reply #5 on: December 12, 2022, 16:43:39 »
The search function is your friend: I used  - "heater core" foam - as the search term and got one page of hits, so it is easy to read through what others have done for the foam.

Here is the link to a few pictures of what Barry and I did for our cars, plus some from a few others
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=21431.msg188137#msg188137
Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor

teahead

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Re: Heater box and blower foam replacement- Best Alternative
« Reply #6 on: December 12, 2022, 21:06:52 »
Sorry if O/T, but I'm about to tear out the heater blower motor/core/etc.

I already have the speedo out (and center cluster).  Would it be easier if I leave it out?  Or makes no diff?
1970 280SL auto, AC - aka "Edelweiss"

Jonny B

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Re: Heater box and blower foam replacement- Best Alternative
« Reply #7 on: December 13, 2022, 23:01:23 »
Here is the information about the foam pad we ordered for doing the seals
McMaster Carr. To make it a bit easier:
Prod no 86225K53
Flame-Retardant Super-Cushioning Foam Sheet, Polyurethane with Adhesive back, 24"X24"X1/4"
Jonny B
1967 250 SL Auto, DB 568
1970 280 SL Auto, DB 904
1966 Morris Mini Minor

Cees Klumper

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Re: Heater box and blower foam replacement- Best Alternative
« Reply #8 on: December 13, 2022, 23:39:27 »
Another alternative, I used this for my Lancia Fulvia heater box foam gasket replacements. Very high quality material actually, I have used it for several other purposes as well. Only 3 mm thick and also available in half that (1/16 inch):

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081PR51GV/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Cees Klumper
1969 Mercedes 280 SL automatic
1968 Ford Mustang 302 V8
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Coupe 1600
1962 FIAT 1500S OSCA convertible
1972 Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1.3
1983 Porsche 944 2.5
1990 Ford Bronco II