Hi guys,
I have seen a lot of posts referring to the fact that 69 heater boxes are welded up, and that you can't get inside to repair, repaint, replace seals, etc. and very few responses as to disassembly.
I just wanted to post that i took my box apart this morning, and it was really quite simply and only took about 25 minutes.
I used a 3/8 spot weld cutter and cut the 26 spot welds, and the parts came apart without any damage. i sand blasted the entire box, inside and out, and am going to paint with Rust Bullet. The box was really in great shape, just surface rust, and no through rust anywhere. Be sure to center puch the existing welds first so your cutter doesn't wander, and be careful so you don't cut completely through.
I will be replacing seals and reassembling later today and tomorrow.
Since it all came apart so easily, there was no distortion of parts, and it should weld right back up easily.
Anyone who has been thinking about taking their box apart, go ahead and get started. From the work I have seen guys do on this forum, this will be a snap for you.
RJ

Got the inside of the box painted with Rust Bullit. Started replacing seals.
RJ

You went to a lot more trouble than I did, I just pulled off the exterior seals and painted the rust bucket:

Before:
http://home.socal.rr.com/ewillis1/images/Heaterbox01_sm.jpg

After:
http://home.socal.rr.com/ewillis1/images/HeaterBox001_sm.jpg

I didn't think it would be as easy as you describe to get the sucker open, or I probably would have tried doing what you did.

How do you like Rust Bullet? Have you tried Por-15 and if so how does it compare?

I'll be putting my box back in this week, good luck with yours.

I haven't used POR-15, but I love Rust Bullet, it really is bullet proof. The stuff dries fast and is really tough. Don't let it dry on your skin though or it will be there til it wears off, haha
rj

I had mine sand blasted then powder coated.

I've never had anything powder coated, does it hold up better than paint? I sand blasted mine, hand sanded it, then painted it gloss black, and t looks pretty much like new. It was a lot of work, but worth it,....unless I continue with my Vintage Air plan, then it was all for nothing, haha.
RJ

I took the heater box in my ragtop apart. It was pretty funky in there, LOL! Probably did exactly what you did. Now, well back when I did it, it's all fresh and new....painted and sealed that is!

Sure is an improvement isn't it. Almost makes me abandon my plans for ac since the heater box looks so nice.
rj

Yes, powdercoat does stand up better than paint, but for the heater box paint will be fine. Besides, who is going to be looking under the dash at the heater box.

Only reason I had mine powdercoated is the place I use is very very reasonable. I paid $25.00 to have it blasted and coated.

Wow, that seems pretty cheap. I'll have to look into it sometime.
thanks
rj