1954 heater motor cork gasket -- what does it look like and how is it installed?

[Peter R.]

I've read in the archives that there should be a cork gasket between the heater blower motor and the inside of the firewall. Based on that info alone, I made one from cork gasket material, but I don't know if it's right or if I'm using it correctly. Can anyone tell me what the gasket should look like? Shape? Size? Thickness? Does it have cut-outs or holes to provide space for the heads of the screws that connect the motor flange to the heater plenum? Does it have holes for the studs that pass through the firewall? Or is its outer diameter small enough that it lies inside the bolt circles of the screws and studs? Does it have a gap in it for the motor hot wire to pass through (otherwise it seems like the hot wire is going to be squeezed between the motor flange and the firewall)? Should it be glued to the motor flange? A picture of the gasket and some instructions on installing it would be very helpful. Does anyone sell a correct gasket?

Thanks for any help.

Pete

[Peter R.]

Re: 1954 heater motor cork gasket -- what does it look like and how is it installed?

Even just a verbal description by someone who has seen one would help.

Thanks,

Pete

[Guy M.]

Re: 1954 heater motor cork gasket -- what does it look like and how is it installed?

Hi Peter, I looked at my extra motor on the shelf and there is a spongy type of material between the motor housing and the flat part where th wire comes out. I believe this seals the housing to the fire wall. I was going to add a little putty ( dum dum) to this to make sure it seals. Hope this is correct and helps. Guy

[Peter R.]

Re: 1954 heater motor cork gasket -- what does it look like and how is it installed?

Sounds like yours isn't cork. More like (black?) spongy foam rubber? Thanks for the help.

Pete

[Guy M.]

Re: 1954 heater motor cork gasket -- what does it look like and how is it installed?

Yeah, spongy black rubber. I had half a dozen motors out of 54 chevys and they were all the same.

[Chris S.]

Re: 1954 heater motor cork gasket -- what does it look like and how is it installed?

never seen cork
most are a think black spongy material - non hardening.....

[Peter R.]

Re: 1954 heater motor cork gasket -- what does it look like and how is it installed?

Thanks, Chris. I got the cork idea from a search of the archives--someone had seen it on a restored car and someone else confirmed it. But black spongy material makes more sense. For one thing, it wouldn't need a cut-out for the hot wire because the spongy material would simply accomodate the wire passing under it. I also noticed yesterday that the motor flange seats against the firewall insulation inside the car, which itself is not a firm surface, so cork wouldn't make much sense after all.

Pete