OldManTucker

Hey all,


1980 Olds Cutlass Supreme - V6. I have no experience whatsoever but I'm having fun.


My blower motor started grinding so I decided to replace it. After it's removal the project took a big turn as I spotted a lot of debris in the chamber. In the end I wound up removing the whole HVAC cover to clean it out and inspect things.


It's time to put everything back.


The cover uses some gasket/foam on the back side where it comes into contact with the firewall. It's about 1" tall and 1/4" thick and recesses into a notch on the cover. It seems to be a molded piece. In any case, it needs replacing. The manual calls it a "sealer".


Any ideas as to what I should use?

Lady72nRob71

Can you clean up and reuse the original? Maybe put a small bead of RTV around the top and bottom of the seal and bolt it up.
if it is rotten, post a picture of a decent part and we will see if we can come up with a suitable sub...

OldManTucker

Great idea on using the RTV to stick it all back together. Here are some photos of what I am looking for. Hopefully someone knows what this stuff is.

RetroRanger

OPGI and or ebay had an AC box sealer kit for the earlier cutliii maybe you can find something similar for yours there? if not maybe some window or door leak stop foam comes in different sizes and widths and usually has 1 sticky side

Lady72nRob71

That gasket still looks usable, with a little help. I would RTV it to the upper half that you removed, then maybe use some 3M strip calk on the lower section and against the firewall.
Reason for the two is the RTV will be kinda like glue while the 3M is pliable so you can get it apart again if needed.

Allan R

X2 on the strip caulk around the fan opening. Or you could use some good old plumbers putty - it's basically the same stuff in a different color.
Plumbers putty tape strip
As for the foam seal, check your local truck outfitter. That stuff looks a lot like 1" wide truck cap seal. It's self adhesive on one side and will conform to the pressure of the pressure plate it's being attached to. Simple easy fixes without spending a lot of money.

OldManTucker

Everyone has had a lot of good ideas.


For the area at the firewall, I found some AC weather stripping that seemed ideal and put together a very nice new gasket. Then I went with a bead of "black" RTV to seal it at top to keep the water out. Lastly, I picked up some strip calk for the blower motor but never got it in as a blizzard hit us here in New York.


The snow and cold is so frustrating...I'm trying to restore a vehicle and I get no respect from mother nature! (I've been trying to make some space in my garage but that project always seems to be on the back-burner).


The last comment has absolutely nothing to do with Oldsmobiles but I needed a little space to blow off a little steam. LOL

Lady72nRob71

I think a lot of folks have been set back by the COLD winter most of us have had. I hate it, but it does give time to do inside jobs, such as cleaning the garage, if it is heated of course...