C2 Heater Core Replacement Help

[Daniel S.]

I am replacing the heater core on my 63 without AC. I want to make sure that I put everything back together exactly the way it came from the factory. I read a few helpful posts but don't feel like I have the complete picture. I have the 1963 Shop Manual but the directions are really high level. I also have the 1963 Assembly Instruction Manual but that isn't much help. I have everything disassembled and the heather box is cracked where one of the bolts/studs attaches so I might order a new one. The forum referenced some detailed articles in old editions of the Restorer. Would someone be able to email them to me at dan.snelwar@gartner.com Also, is there another manual that I can buy that would have more detailed instructions? Any tips or insights that you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
The old gaskets seem like they were glued on with a lot of sealant. Is that correct? It is really hard to get them off and the forum posts that I read didn't mention using any gasket sealant. Should I use it?
One more question, what color was the heater box on the inside and outside? The paint is cracking and I would like to repaint it. It seems like a semigloss black but I am not sure if this is correct.

Thank you! Dan

[Bob R.]

Re: C2 Heater Core Replacement Help

You might want to try to fix the old box rather than replace it. The replacement boxes are not 100% accurate and they are expensive. I removed the outer box on my 63 and found a couple of poor repairs. I cleaned the box and using fiberglass and resin I repaired it from the inside. The repair worked well and can't be spotted from the engine compartment. There is no paint on the boxes they are natural black fiberglass. I stripped several coats of black paint off mine. My old outer box did look like it had some kind of glue holding the gasket to the box. I cleaned it off and I don't think the replacement gasket had any thing on it and I don't think you need to put anything there.

[Larry M.]