OSF Heater boxes.....

[stephens_xpack]

I know it was some 30, 40, 50 years ago but really - but whoever designed the heater box for the Capri at least really wasn't expecting them to ever be opened up again in the life time of the car. But unfortunately for some, if a new heater matrix is needed, what else you supposed to do?

Eventually I found a good second hand replacement heater box, but still with the amount of shite that builds up inside and to be sure that all inside is as it should be you still really need to split them so you can check it all out, and that is the relatively easy bit, but putting the plastic POS back together again - well that is 5 hours of my life I am never getting back, plus the added pressure of wanting to really smash it to pieces but knowing that you can't is really quite draining.

 

Anyhow, anyone out there have a tip or knack as to how this is achieved in quicker time?

 

It is the two paddles that I struggled with as they have a small lug on both ends that fit into little plastic slots in both halves of the heater box....took 5 hours but I am sure it has shortened my life by more than that. Still I now have a very nice and clean heater box inside and out, here's hoping the fan in this one actually works or it will all have been for nothing - I will know once new battery is connected to test it all out before I set about fitting it back in to the car, the joys of OSF's, starting to wonder why I ever came back to the poxy old motor....what is the draw?

 

Oh yeah and if anyone else went, the Excel Classic Car show was well worth a visit - was there on Friday and thoroughly enjoyed the day, but not too many OSF's although the Capri did fair best...

 

Anyway, the mangled heater with melted fan blades and the replacement heater including new matrix finished and ready to go back in the car post electrical testing, and two very nice Capri's from the Excel show.

 

 

 

 

[Rally Pack 2000]

You do look at the design of some of these parts on our OSF and go "what the hell were they thinking" or not thinking as the case may be.

[stephens_xpack]

You do look at the design of some of these parts on our OSF and go "what the hell were they thinking" or not thinking as the case may be.

Yep for sure, probably the best they had at the time but wtf, it was so tricky to get back together. I needed every last little drop of patience that is in me and like most people these days that isn't loads.....

[Rally Pack 2000]

Judging by the way the plenum chamber rust trap was designed to go with the absurd heater box I can only assumed that the designer in charge of that area at Ford dropped too much acid in the 60s.

[Vista]

You do look at the design of some of these parts on our OSF and go "what the hell were they thinking" or not thinking as the case may be.

 

They were thinking "how do we maximise our profits for minimum outlay?"

[stephens_xpack]

The plenum 

 

Judging by the way the plenum chamber rust trap was designed to go with the absurd heater box I can only assumed that the designer in charge of that area at Ford dropped too much acid in the 60s.

It does seem that the plenum rust chamber is a bit of an issue with a lot of old motors, so not just a Ford flaw, just the best they had at the time? I am going to speak to the guys that sold me the heater when I collect a new master cylinder, just curious to know if they have any hints on getting the two halves back together once split, or if they tell me I shouldn't have bothered splitting it....

I am also really wanting a set of wheels like the ones on the red and white Capri above.

[colr6]

Have a word with image wheels,...but don't forget your American Express card !!

[stephens_xpack]

Cheers Colr6, they have a gallery with a couple of motors in it with the type of look I am looking for. I do like the original 7.5j RS 4 spokes, but feel it is time for a change, and the gold centred BBM style that you see on the fat mk1 racing Capris is a look I like. I just want to fill the arches a little more.

Hopefully selling my original Ford wheels will pay for the new ones, that is the idea....

[colr6]

You might be looking at £1500-1600 for a set of 4

[stephens_xpack]

Yeah, once you have added the VAT not far off and then there is the small matter of 4 fatter, lower profile tyres....

I had better start saving then, and just get what I can for mine. I will get mine polished before sale, hopefully they worth something towards the new ones.......

[JP.]

I do it in about 10 minuts, taking it apart & cleaning & replacing heatermatrix & puting it back together.

 

Trick, you'll need pliers to get those clips of and on.

 

Some circlip pliers work realy well.

[stephens_xpack]

10 minutes, next time you get the job...

[stephens_xpack]

Heater box is Back in and works a treat. The paddles and slider controls are sweet and the two speed fan purrs like a pussy cat, foot blower and screen blower all sweet. To say I wasn't very confident is an understatement, I will have more faith in future....

[stephens_xpack]

Oh yeah and the master cylinder swapped out and brakes bled - work a treat with no leaks, will bleed again soon once settled, but all in all a really productive Sunday...next week should hopefully be trying to start....fingers crossed!