BUILD THREAD 1987 Olds 442 Project Build

[oldsofb]

I break into the A/C Seal Kit and start getting all my parts prepped for install. I use most of the seals, and "Macgyver" the rest to get things to where I want.

The Evap case came with it's own peel and stick seals. They were 50-50 on fit compared to stock. The square seal that came in the kit I didn't like either.

I looked at how the Evap was meant to be sealed and tried something a little different. The two long flat seals I stuck on the case along with the Evap opening seals.

The other two seals I stuck in the Inner Blower Case and the Top Cover. I got them from a window seal pack from the hardware store.

The Inner Blower Case:

The Top Cover:

A test fit afterwards showed it was mad tight on all four sides. A really nice seal all the way around.

Moving on to the Hot/Cold Door, I again used another style window seal from the store as the foam strips from the kit were too short.

The one vertical foam strip was one of the four from the kit.

The last thing was the leaf guard that screws on top when installed. I went back to the foam seal from the store since this was not in the kit and mine needed replacing.

Luckily the original came off in one piece so I could duplicate all the "pie" cuts necessary to make this complex shape.

Now with everything prepped I can get to reassembly.

Hutch

 

[oldsofb]

Man I love to talk too much. I keep trying to make shorter video's and they always end up around 30 min. I need to edit better I guess.

Hutch

 

[Canon_Mutant]

Has someone complained? Hey, I might be 60 now but my brain is still a knowledge sponge. I like details . . . 👍

Now, if I could just get my body to keep up? 🤔

 

[oldsofb]

Has someone complained?

Nope. Just me I always feel like I get long winded. I also hate hearing my own recorded voice, so there's that.

 

[69hurstolds]

I hate to nit pick since you do such a great job with the how-tos, but around 13:20 or so when you're explaining what that rough open cell foam stuff on the back of the evap coil does...it does filter out rough garbage, true, but the main reason it is there is to provide a condensate trap for any moisture that develops on the evaporator coils during operation. Because it will. It collects on the filter then dribbles down to the bottom of the casing and drains out. Without it, you would run the risk of blowing water right on through into the cabin. Like when the drain flap gets clogged…

That's why it routes the way it does. Kinda hangs down at the bottom to direct the condensate to the "well" under the evaporator. Note that side doesn't get the seals...it's for that reason.

So it is kind of important piece to keep water out of the people tank. Didn't want people thinking it was a totally useless piece. Most of the time they're torn up or brittle. You can by the A/C "prefilter" foam for dirt cheap at Home Depot, Lowe's, et al, and replace it new if you ever needed to. Cut to fit. Stuff was probably right there next to the foam seals you bought. 🙂

For example:

 

[oldsofb]

Stuff was probably right there next to the foam seals you bought. 🙂

Ha! Probably was. Nitpick? Never. I always want to learn something I don't know. That's why I'm here on this forum. Good to know for future reference.

I just sealed the whole shabang up a few days ago. I should post the pics for that. Maybe tomorrow (working on something else tonight).

Hutch

 

[69hurstolds]

I'm curious of how you sealed up the cases...rolled up butyl? Those little 3M strips? Bulk roll? Wet spaghetti noodles?...

 

[TURNA]

Bubble gum

 

[oldsofb]

I'm curious of how you sealed up the cases...rolled up butyl?

Right first time. All my Napa store had was the 3/8 Butyl which was too thick (see the pick below) so I hand rolled it to about the diameter of a pencil or a little skinnier.

I used this for the floor of the case where the Hot/Cold Blend Door went as well as the Inner Blower Case plus the Fresh Air/Inside Air Door above. (I also Primed and Painted the H/C Door as it was surface rusted)

Even put the Hot/Cold Door Rod Seal on

Remember the Heater Core Copper Hold Down

I soaked it in a bath of: Salt - Lemon Juice - White Vinegar for 15 minutes along with the Ground Strap

This is how it turned out

I then put it in a bath of Water and Sodium Bicarbonate to neutralize the acid. Not bad!

What is bad is my lack of photos past this point. I got caught up in filming (again) and never got pics of the Heater and Evap going in. Sorry

Hutch

 

[oldsofb]

Oh yeah.....

Final Product

Hutch