[gtobird]

I've got a 68 convert and I removed the inner heater box and opposite side blower housing to paint the firewall. When I removed it (long, long ago), the blower housing had some kind of black sealant surrounding it in addition to the usual plumbers dope type sealant on the flange of the blower housing. I've heard all sorts of conjecture on which cars got the extra sealant from the factory and which didn't, with no clear answers. It makes the heater box install look sloppy. I have no reason to believe it was done by anything other than the factory.

Having rebuilt the heater box and repainted everything, I attempted to do a trial fit of the heater box and blower housing (without using the caulking for the test fit). After everything is mounted and fasteners are tightened, I have about an eighth inch gap between the blower housing and firewall along the top edge of the blower housing, but only for a few inches. It appears to be close to where the firewall and supporting inner structure were spot welded, so I can't just tap the firewall and bend it flush to the fan housing. I'm wondering if anyone else has had a problem like this and if this is why GM used the extra sealant on the edges of the fan box for some cars. The gap can easily be filled by the strip caulking, but it is kind of odd. I appreciate any input you have.

Thanks
Joe

P.S. I think my car was spot welded by someone that was having a bad day as one of the quarter panels had all of the spot welds missing where it attaches to an inner structure piece. That was an easy fix...............