Heater Rebuild Questions

[390FE1972]

I just got thru rebuilding my non AC heater box in my 1972 F250. I cleaned up all the parts, painted it, and put in a new heater rebuild kit from DC. The questions I have are in regards to the soft sealant that is found on the outside of the heater box on the top and bottom where the heater box is attached to the metal plate that the heater core comes out to go through the firewall. There is a small amount of soft sealant placed here by Ford that appears to prevent some type of leak from the heater box. What can I use to put on my rebuilt heater box? The other question I have is what type of sealant should I use on the engine side of the firewall where the heater core lines come thru. Ford had some type of sealant there to prevent water coming into the cab. I have the two square soft pads that go over the heater core lines, but I'm unsure what to use as a sealant.
Help is appreciated. Thanks!!!

[Mach428]

Go to the auto parts store and ask for tar sealant. It comes in strips and can be cut & formed to any shape you want

[390FE1972]

Thanks Mach428, I will check this out.

[cep62]

Go to the auto parts store and ask for tar sealant. It comes in strips and can be cut & formed to any shape you want

http://3mcollision.com/products/sound-d ... black.html

3M strip caulk 08587

[390FE1972]

I went to Car Quest and picked up the 3M strip caulk. Looks like the stuff I needed. Looks like I'll have plenty left over to do my inner fender to outer fender connection when I get to that point in my rebuild. Thanks for the input.

[carnuck]

I would make sure you treat the spot where that sealing stuff will sit with rust killer before assembly because it traps water in.

[Madman]

Got a question for you, as I am about to start overhauling my heater box. Did you drill out the factory pop rivets to open the box up all the way? I see the foam on my internal flaps need replacing, and I see that I would have to drill those rivets out to access them, that is if they have replacements available.

[390FE1972]

I did drill out the rivets with a small drill bit and used a very small flat tip screw driver to help pry off the tips of the rivets. There are a couple very good threads on how to rebuild your heater box. One is by robroy back in 2009, and another is by sargentrs in 2013. Do a topic search and see if you can find them. They are very informative. Good luck with your rebuild.

[sargentrs]

Here's my thread http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... hp?t=73960 I did as 390FE1972 suggested removing the rivets. Put it back together with sheet metal screws or machine screws and locknuts as required.

[Madman]

Thanks, I did stumble across your thread late last night (I was staying up to get ready for my transition to nightshift).I got a couple of the rivets off, ordered a new seal kit, and am looking at if it is necessary to get Eastwood's plastic restorer or if I can utilize a nice satin black spray paint.