Do later heater air intake boxes fit early cars

[BOYER73S]

I need to know if later heater air intake boxes fit and operate the same as the early ones (the 2 boxes are hidden behind the cardboard cover in the luggage compartment and opertated by the levers on the dash).

Thanks in anticipation

[Mr9146]

The fresh air box and flappers are all interchangable - the retaining clips for the cables, as well as preformed bellows are all that changed from early to late. However, you can mix and match the early and late stuff as long as you use the correct retaining clips for the cables ... it's obvious and you can't really make a mistake.

FWIW, I have a complete late system in my 1970.

SWB stuff is all different.

[304065]

The heater boxes were superceded multiple times, Carrera boxes will bolt onto an SWB BUT the cable mechanism is wrong and takes a bit of fabrication to make it work. Far better to find original ones for your year.

[BOYER73S]

Thanks guys its for the 69s so SWB not applicable.

Marco what is the best way to tackle this project...i.e what do I remove first etc. Do I dissengagae the cables front and back and then remove as a complete unit?

I have just one side where the up and down air control flap is broken so its permanently stuck directing air down.

I also have warm air coming in on the same side, but not the other, when all levers are to the left so I assume that the internal flap at the heat exchanger end is not completely sealing as the heater hand lever does operate this area correctly (hot air escape opens and closes fully)


Clyde

[Mr9146]

The heat leakage issue is completely independant of what happens behind the dash. For that I would just crawl under the car with some penetrating oil and completely soak the control valves. Work the lever a bunch and you may get lucky and have 'em come back to life. You may have to adjust the cable to get everything to work just right. Worst case scenario is a new heater cable, but I doubt that's needed.

Up front I would recommend that you trouble shoot the adjustment before you try taking stuff apart. Make sure that all the cables are working properly - set 'em to the parked position (full left) and then look to make sure the flappers are all in the proper position. Sometimes the fresh air box goes over-center and twacks out the whole system. If you deem that the problem is broken parts, then here's what I'd do.

Take the fresh air box completely out of your way if you're going to be doing anything up under the cowel. It's easy and comes out with a few screws, clamps and clips. Put all the fresh air levers on the dash in the parked position (full left), then loosen the pinch bolt on each of the cables and remove them to avoid kinking them. DO NOT TRY TO TAKE THE CABLES OUT OF THE CAR .... that's a LAST RESORT and RARELY NEEDED.

Once the fresh air box is out of your way you'll be able to move around under the cowel. The flappers are really three independant pieces held together with spring clips (these are miserable to take on and off). Do your best to not break the plastics when taking them apart (use good pliers and a lot of care because the stuff is brittle). The top piece is an air horn that just wiggles out. The middle piece should be left on the bottom piece which is removed by taking out the two allen bolts under the dash.

I'm doing this from memory, but that should get you 90% through the job. Again, I recommend that you do a lot of troubleshooting before you start ripping things apart. Fresh air stuff can be a bit tricky so make sure you pay attention to what cables go where and how they're routed and clipped.

Good luck and post pictures if you need specific help.

[BOYER73S]

Well it went like clockwork, very surprising for my projects. Broken piece inside flapper box meant one flapper wasn't working at all. had been repaired previously now replaced with SC version

Only had to file the opening a little to allow for easy fitment of the new base otherwise holes didn't quite line up and then hey presto.

While we were at it I had an auto elct check out my heater fan that I had just bought recently off this site.......sadly no go. Fortunately my old fan worked still but its plastic box was very damaged so combined the two now I have a nice looking and working fan...all 3 speeds also.


I bought the other side as well so will update that next week we are off for a drive this weekend haven't given the 69S a run for over 18 months so will do it the world of good