Well, I pulled my evaporator core in preparation for a complete AC rebuild and - what a mess. A pesky mouse decided to fill the heater box with insulation, and apparently at some point, a fire started in the heater box, and melted a small hole in the bottom of the box. Also, the core had what looks like a burned spot in one of the corners. Needless to say, I don't trust the core, and have ordered a new one. I will need to swap out the rubber seal and drip screen from the old one to the new one and they're attached with an adhesive that is old and failing. My question is, what is the preferred adhesive to reattach the screen and seal to the new core? I was think hot melt glue, but I'm worried that this will crack and fail once the core cools down when the AC is on. Any suggestions?
By the way, if anyone is wondering, I purchased a new evaporator core and condenser from Auto AC solutions (www.autoacsolutions.com) out of Graham, TX. Obsolete Air (www.obsoleteair.com) also sells the AC condenser but not the evaporator. Regardless of where you buy them, they. ain't. cheap.
One last question. For the life of me, I cannot get the *%&*# heater hoses off the heater core so I can swap out the blower cover. Any suggestions on that as well?
First time I did the heater core, the rubber had formed some kind of molecular bond with the tubes, I ended up crushing the tubes in order to save the rubber hoses.
Closest thing I've seen to the original foam around the evaporator is Camper Tape, used to seal truck bed caps to the bed.
Read your reply about the hoses forming a "molecular bond", so I decided to cut the hose, and you're right. The hose had essentially fused with the metal of the heater core. I had to cut the hose and peel it away from the heater core. What a PITA. I was trying to avoid destroying the hose, but oh well. I just ordered a new heater hose from the Fiero Store.
As for the adhesive, I did a little more researchifying and found some forums which mention using 3M black super weatherstrip adhesive to adhere the seal and drip screen to the new evaporator core. Ran out and grabbed a tube from Advanced Auto Parts. Now just need to wait for the evaporator core to arrive, and I'll post my results when it's done.
Sounds like you're replacing the heater core and not the AC evaporator core. You wll find that the heater core will be 3/8 to 1/2 nch shorter than the original, so there will be a loss of sealing between the AC and heater compartments.
For future reference, when removing stuck hoses, use a hose removal tool. It looks similar to an ice pick with the end bend into a J shape. Insert the tip between the hose and the nipple and slide it around the perimeter to separate them. The tools are sold at most popular auto parts stores. They're usually less than $10. One must be careful about cutting the hoses. It's not difficult to cut them too short.
RWDPLZ, I like the idea of the camper tape. My new Dodge had an over the rail bed liner and it began to chafe the paint. I used that tape with the adhesive side applied to the bed to cushion the liner from the paint. I replaced it a couple of times during the 15 years I had it, but the paint was still good when I sold it.
I suppose pieces of that tape cut into narrow strips could be used to replace some of the foam pieces inside the dash ductwork and around the radio area.
Nope. I'm replacing the evaporator core, but I have to remove the heater core hoses in order to remove the blower motor cover so I can replace it. Apparently, the previous owner failed to mention that there was a fire in the air box due to a mouse making a nest in the evaporator core area and melted the bottom of the cover. Can't replace it unless the heater core hoses are removed. But thanks for the suggestions.
