Defroster hoses and re-building heater box

[Trevor B]

Hi Everyone:
1971 non-AC Duster and I'm replacing the dash - now is the time to do everything I can at the firewall. Please forgive if stupid questions as I've never been in this part of the car before.

1. I pulled out the heater box and the cardboard backing for the left side is toast. I see that it can be bought from Detroit Muscle Technologies, as can a rebuild kit with all of the foam that sticks to the various doors.
But, should the left-most door only swing about 30 degrees open vs. closed? It can not pass by the backing as it is too tall.

2. The previous owner must have come up with this hose system at some point - there is a LOT of very old tape widening the 2" tubes and surrounding the 2.5" defroster vents. Are these hoses reproduced/available anywhere? Or... is my version just someone's interesting work-around? The bottom port on the heater box was left open and the whole thing was wired to an on-off switch!

 

[Dana67Dart]

Dmt also has hose kits. They are paper wound wire. The OEM hose had a smaller end on one of the hoses. The aftermarket are the same size but have a a reducer.

As for doors.

There is one door that forces air to the defrosters and another that blocks air from entering the box all together.

I believe you will find the door you show is the defrost door and it will either block the defrost holes or the output at the floor.



There are a few good rebuild videos available.

If the vent door hinge is frozen or if the hinge is pulled out of the plastic housing I sell a repair kit.