1968 Airbox rebuild question

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4spdragtop said:
You can pressure test it. It's a glorified rad.
I've read about a spectra tubing being off. Maybe give them a call directly? They are a Canadian company and they used to be made in Canada as well. Not sure if still being made here.
Pics?
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Thanks. I noticed on both the Spectra and Rock Auto one, the bottom tube comes out and turns up at a slant. With the original, the tube comes out a bit then turns up
 
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I flushed out the old core. Root beer came out. I ran the water through until it turned clear, turned it upside down, drained, and repeated. Each time, I got the root beer colored water. It always ran clear, drained, back to root beer...even after 20 minutes
 
At this point I would take old one to a shop and have it tested. If good send the other one back. If it fails have the shop cut and fit old tubes to new one to make fit.
 
4spdragtop said:
At this point I would take old one to a shop and have it tested. If good send the other one back. If it fails have the shop cut and fit old tubes to new one to make fit.
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Yeah, I was starting to wonder what else I could do. Option one is to keep buying heater cores, looking for the magic one that fits but probably acquiring enough to open a business selling them, or your option which makes so much sense. I'll get on this sir and let you know as soon as I learn anything.
 
Considering the bs getting a proper new one even if old one tests fine maybe have shop get the new one to fit so you have a spare when need be?
 
4spdragtop said:
Considering the bs getting a proper new one even if old one tests fine maybe have shop get the new one to fit so you have a spare when need be?
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All great advice. I think I'll do that. I found a radiator place close by too. I'll have to spell Plymouth real slowly, or maybe sound it out. Around here, if it's not a Chivvy or Ford, they won't know what it is, and might even take a shot at me. If all goes well, I should have made progress by late next week. Again, thanks for all the great advice
 
The top picture shows the aluminum Spectra I bought from Classic, 4 years ago. The factory replacement, aka root beer fountain, is on the right.
The bottom picture shows the one I received from Rock Auto Saturday, next to the factory replacement. The bottom tube on the Spectra and Rock Auto come out almost an inch before the upward bend. The factory replacement comes out a hair over 2 inches before the upward bend and the difference in angles is apparent. Classic no longer carries the Spectra but one that appears "factory." We shall see.
 
I had already ordered #3 from Classic Industries. Took some work but I seem to have it in. I will keep the one I took out, the root beer burper (I ran water through it, root beer came out, it went clear, emptied it, and back to root beer. That said, I still plan to have it pressure tested and kept as a back up. Still have the Spectra one that was never used.
 
The black plate at the tube outlets will not go flush. Part of the problem stems from the fact that the tube on the right is not properly executed in all 3 that I tried, compared to the one I took out, and my lack of skill repairing the broken out plenum. I will probably fill the gap with foam. Tomorrow I hope to reattach the front part of the box...I hope
 
Considering he's the only one with a You Tube video (that I could find) on this work, I am reluctant to say anything critical of "Tyler's Neighborhood."
But he installed the actuator rod of wedge shaped door on the wrong side and put the engine side firewall blower motor gaskets/seals entirely in the wrong places. Fortunately I have a 68 Plymouth Shop manual, and an old A-Body Barracuda restoration guide. No instructions come with the kits but he says he's been doing this 30 years. I know where the ground wire goes and as soon as I figure out the other two, and how to unstick the hinges of the fresh air box door that a friend broke off, I'll be ready to install it. I hope
 
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