heating duct hoses...

[JohnG]

I am in the process of having my heater recored. To get at it, I removed the metal housing under the dash. The housing has two ducts that connect to the cardboard defroster vents. This connection appears to be done by a couple of short hoses, about 2 1/2" long and about 2 1/2" in diameter. One of mine is missing and the other is crumbling from age.

Anyone have something that works for them as a functional replacement??? (no, not duct tape!! :+ ).

thanks!

John

58 Hardtop

PS Robert McNamara ought to be proud of the money he saved Ford on those cardboard vents!!!

[Alexander]

RE: heating duct hoses...

I have luckily never needed to replace those rubber connections, as mine, for some reason, are still pliable like new.

My suggestion is to cut up an inner tube from a wide mountain bike tire(26" diameter) or possibly a narrow motorcycle tube.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

[JohnG]

RE: heating duct hoses...

...must have been clean living on your part!

I will look for some inner tubes - that sounds like it has potential.
I need to be careful about how tight they are as those cardboard vents look pretty fragile after all this time. I don't want them to collapse inward.

I wonder if there's a web site or reference that has specs on innner tubes???

thanks for your suggestion, Alexander!

John

[Guest]

RE: heating duct hoses...

Just done mine on a 20 HT.. Took the old one to NAPA and matched it up with the correct size of air duct that was used on cars that had an aluminized tube that directed air from the exhaust to the air filter.. Wish I had kept the receipt so I would know what the part number was.

[Guest]

RE: heating duct hoses...

Coirrection: Not a 20 HT but a 60..

[JohnG]

RE: heating duct hoses...

Great idea!!! Thanks!! I will report back after I go there but
I bet they can do it....

John :-)

[Guest]

RE: heating duct hoses...

You can buy these from a 1955-1957 Thunderbird parts supplier. They are rubber and fit just right, and they are cheap too. Give them a try, they worked for me. When working on a Squarebird it's always a good idea to have a small Bird catalog around because many of these parts can be applied to our cars.

Tom Young

[JohnG]

RE: heating duct hoses...

thanks!! I had given up and was gonna fabricate one from scratch.

The auto parts stores only claim one item of "defroster hose" available in 2 1/2" ID and that only comes in a 6 foot length for $32. Since I only need 5" for two sides total, that was a less than ideal solution.

Thanks for your time, Tom!

John

[Studearch]

Heater duct to defroster duct collars

Anyone been able to follow up on the rubber collars or sleeves that connect the duct to the defroster plenum? A previous thread suggested that '55-'57 T-birds used the same ones and are available through suppliers, but I can't find any. Any ideas, parts numbers, suppliers? Jack

[del]

here you go

MAC's 2018 catalog, page 1.

[OUR5T8BIRD]

I have luckily never needed to replace those rubber connections, as mine, for some reason, are still pliable like new.

My suggestion is to cut up an inner tube from a wide mountain bike tire(26" diameter) or possibly a narrow motorcycle tube.

Alexander
1959 Hardtop
1960 Golde Top

This would be my suggestion .

[p38fighter]

Much better price here

Vintage Air - part # 318010 10 feet for $12