[1972RedGTO]

Pulled the box off my 72 GTO today to change the heater core. Found a couple of damaged parts that will need to be replaced. First is a gasket assembly that seals the box to the lower vent work on the dash. No part number on it, and I don't know it's proper name - but I need a new one. This is shown in the second picture. Next, inside the box on the large vent door was a plastic piece attached with 3 small screws. It was deteriorated and broken, but I snapped a picture of it. Appears to have a part number, and looks to have has some kind of a seal or something glued to it at one time. This is in the first picture, with a close-up in picture 3. Last is what I think is a vacuum actuator that was mounted in the passenger side behind the kick panel. Dual port. Think I found it online, but for $70.00? Anybody have a good used one? Any and all information and leads on the other two parts would be greatly appreciated!

[fyrffytr1]

The last one looks like the vacuum pot that goes on the firewall side of the A/C box. Can't help on the others.

[1972RedGTO]

I know that item is the vacuum actuator. Goes for like $70.00 online. Was hoping somebody had a source for the square heater box to dash vents seal, as well as the mystery plastic piece that resides on the vent door.

[70GS455]

That seal may be part of the heater box seal kit that is available at so many vendors. I have a kit that has not been used and can look at all the pieces to check

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[HWYSTR455]

Ok, lemme take a shot here.

Just so we're clear, is this an A/C or non-A/C car? It looks like an A/C car to me.

This is straight from memory, so my suggestion would be to look at an assembly guide or service manual. The pic I attached is for 69-70, but gives you an idea. I know 71-72 would be different part numbers. But...

The broken plate I believe is what for 69-70 is called the Bi-Level Baffle. Would imagine it would be called the same for 71-72.

The square seal thing is called a Adapter, Duct .It connect the box on the wall to the lap piece that mounts under the dash.

The diaphragm depends on where it came from, and if it was an A/C or not car.

Pretty sure the seal kits include the seal for the duct adapter, but some of the kits include a cheap foam flat cutout gasket that is a POS, not like the dense foam formed one from the factory. I say buy 2 kits, they are cheap, and that way you can double up on some to get a better seal.

If you can use duct tape or other ways to seal better than the factory did, vent velocity increases drastically. The defrost to box area is a great example, as is the side vent pieces. No one will ever see most of it anyway. Think of trying to suck soda through a cracked straw, and that will give you an idea of how drastic even small fixes can make.

Classic Auto Air in Florida has and/or can get quality replacement seals and some hard to find OE parts. They also restore heater boxes, at a reasonable cost, it may be worth a phone call. I know they did my evap box for the 442, and it came out mint. It was totally worth the cost, it's wasn't a bend-over-backwards type cost.

Take a pic of the box and post.

.

[1972RedGTO]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

Ok, lemme take a shot here.

Just so we're clear, is this an A/C or non-A/C car? It looks like an A/C car to me.

This is straight from memory, so my suggestion would be to look at an assembly guide or service manual. The pic I attached is for 69-70, but gives you an idea. I know 71-72 would be different part numbers. But...

The broken plate I believe is what for 69-70 is called the Bi-Level Baffle. Would imagine it would be called the same for 71-72.

The square seal thing is called a Adapter, Duct .It connect the box on the wall to the lap piece that mounts under the dash.

The diaphragm depends on where it came from, and if it was an A/C or not car.

Pretty sure the seal kits include the seal for the duct adapter, but some of the kits include a cheap foam flat cutout gasket that is a POS, not like the dense foam formed one from the factory. I say buy 2 kits, they are cheap, and that way you can double up on some to get a better seal.

If you can use duct tape or other ways to seal better than the factory did, vent velocity increases drastically. The defrost to box area is a great example, as is the side vent pieces. No one will ever see most of it anyway. Think of trying to suck soda through a cracked straw, and that will give you an idea of how drastic even small fixes can make.

Classic Auto Air in Florida has and/or can get quality replacement seals and some hard to find OE parts. They also restore heater boxes, at a reasonable cost, it may be worth a phone call. I know they did my evap box for the 442, and it came out mint. It was totally worth the cost, it's wasn't a bend-over-backwards type cost.

Take a pic of the box and post.

.

Thank You for your help. Yes, it is an AC Car. I purchased the vacuum actuator today. I have a seal kit, and yes, it came with some flat seals very much unlike the originals. This 'bi-level baffle" - what does it do, and is it absolutely necessary? I'll try to research it a bit and find a schematic that shows it. Basically attaches to the large blend door that the above mentioned seal goes on.

[West Coast GTO]

Try Frank's Pontiac Parts located in Southern California. He has current photos of all for sale parts; just click the appropriate year / car and scroll through the photos.

[1972RedGTO]

Originally Posted by West Coast GTO

Try Frank's Pontiac Parts located in Southern California. He has current photos of all for sale parts; just click the appropriate year / car and scroll through the photos.

Will take a look. Thanks!

[HWYSTR455]

Pretty sure the baffle directs air towards the defrost ducts, and pretty sure it makes a big difference. Think it also shields the case from direct heat, and prevents the box from getting brittle.

Flip thru the Classic Auto Air Factory catalog, see what they have. But think you will be hard pressed to find that piece without buying a whole case.

http://www.classicautoair.com/catalogfactory.html

If you send them the box, they will repair or replace, and like I said, it's not that expensive. And they use seals that are more like the originals. It's worth a call.

.

[70GS455]

I can recommend Benny Sanchez at Factory Auto Air in TX (he used to work for one of those big A/C supply and repair companies) to rebuild an evaporator or heater box. Top notch work. Pretty reasonable cost

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[1972RedGTO]

Thanks for everything, guys! Box is rebuilt with damn near new everything and bolted it back in a couple of hours ago. Still gotta put a new blower motor in, which means the fender well has to come off tomorrow. Wish me luck. I get a lot of satisfaction out of doing this myself - wouldn't do it any other way

[Bobalong]

Originally Posted by 1972RedGTO

Thanks for everything, guys! Box is rebuilt with damn near new everything and bolted it back in a couple of hours ago. Still gotta put a new blower motor in, which means the fender well has to come off tomorrow. Wish me luck. I get a lot of satisfaction out of doing this myself - wouldn't do it any other way

Probably too late by now. The fender doesn't have to be removed to get to the blower motor. Remove the front tire. Remove the inner fender bolts, it will allow you to wrangle it out. MUCH easier than removing the fender.

[1972RedGTO]

Originally Posted by Bobalong

Probably too late by now. The fender doesn't have to be removed to get to the blower motor. Remove the front tire. Remove the inner fender bolts, it will allow you to wrangle it out. MUCH easier than removing the fender.

Didn't remove it. And yes, I did remove the fender liner/well as originally stated. It's been all back together for quite some time now