heater box issue please help

[86chevyk20]

Ok so i replaced my heater core the other night and it took me awhile to get that box apart as soon as i got it out i even broke some of it doh!!

My question is that rod that goes through the box that controls a luver and vent, when i removed that rod and then reinstaled it doesnt not have enough grip on it to turn that vent anymore.

How can i ffix this? maybe some glue or locktight

 

[HotRodPC]

You're talking about the plastic parts that the adujustable rod is threaded into right, better shown in Pic #2 ??? So you're dealing with a plastic part that is 26 years old, been exposed to lots of heat and cold. And then you removed the rod from the blend door right? I"m sure that is very brittle by now and lost it's strength. It's a clamp to the thread type part. The best way to install the part, is to pinch it where you want it, and push it thru the blend door lever and call it good, trying not to move it or handle it much little as possible. A bit late for that one now. I've got a couple air handler boxes here since I recently dealt with the same **** and ended up getting another box. I'll see if I can salvage these plastic parts off those boxes I have since it might be a hard part to find and send them to you if they still look like they can be of use. I know for a fact, I broke one of them. The part on the end, where the plastic snaps over the rod, not the one the clamps down around the rod. I"m assuming that's the one you need?

My other suggestion be, is if you can modify a small hose clamp with notches in it to get over the rod, and see if you can't get it around the plastic to clamp it tighter around the rod. Locktight prolly won't work since it's not metal to metal. Some kind of epoxy type glue may work, but I doubt something like a crazy glue would last long.

 

[HotRodPC]

I think I was able to save one. Trick was, to go ahead and thread the rod all the way out of it, then collapse it and pull it thru the hole. That's also how you'd have to install it. Let me know if you need me to mail it out to you.

 

[89Suburban]

 

[86chevyk20]

Thanks for your help!!! I'm goin to get some really good epoxy glue and try that!!

 

[HotRodPC]

Thanks for your help!!! I'm goin to get some really good epoxy glue and try that!!

Give it a try if you want. If that's the part you need, I can get it in the mail today or tomorrow. I've got it laying here on my desk. Speak now or forever hold your peace, cuz if you wait, that thing will be buried so deep on my desk it'll never be found again.

 

[86chevyk20]

i fixed it!!! went to napa and got some epoxy glue and put a dab of that in the end of where the rod goes..let it dry for 2 hrs and its good! thanks for all your guys help

 

[HotRodPC]

I broke mine there too. That's why I went with a metal one from an 81 or older. They are metal.