Front heater channel replacement

[pernest]

Can you just cut out the bad and fit the new front piece in without body adjust. This might involve bottom A pillar replace also. My heater channels are mainly intact with some patches. the inner tube transmits heat just fine. What do you think? Thanks for any input you can give me! Peyton

[jarmchairpilot]

Hi, I think it depends what area is bad, if its the flat section underneath the car called the closing panel repair that can be done easy, if its the section the running board captive nuts attach to I think its a body off job. Usually the late bugs require more complete heater channel replacement because the quality of steel was not up to the earlier standard IMO. Often you think you are dealing with a minor repair but end up opening a whole bigger, rusty can if worms! Usually the rust will be a lot worst than you first expect.

[jarmchairpilot]

Hi, I think it depends what area is bad, if its the flat section underneath the car called the closing panel repair that can be done easy, if its the section the running board captive nuts attach to I think its a body off job. Usually the late bugs require more complete heater channel replacement because the quality of steel was not up to the earlier standard IMO. Often you think you are dealing with a minor repair but end up opening a whole bigger, rusty can if worms! Usually the rust will be a lot worst than you first expect.

[pernest]

Dear jarmchairpilot

When I bought the car the rust was located on the bottom of the front wheel wells. Had it repaired --- sheet metal cover. I have looked inside the heater tube with light and mirror and it looks okay from both A-pillars back to the rear area of the channel. I believe the frontal heater channel areas are pretty messed up. You can't see any damage from then inside of the car. I use the car as a daily driver so it would be hard to do a body off. I've owned the car for over 20 years. Jacksonville's climate is not brutal to bugs but the car is parked outside.

Thanks.

Peyton
Jacksonville, FL

[beetlenut]

They make front rocker/heater channel repair sections. The ones I bought did not come with the bottom captive nut panel, so I had to make those myself. I didn't have to remove the body from the pan to do the repair, and in fact it was easier with the body on so I could line up the captive nut plates with the holes in the pan.

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[pernest]

Thank you jarmchairpilot and beetlenut for the information. I've copied it and will use in the project.