Early mk1 maestro heater

[Mr bump]

Sooo, the day I've been putting off for a raining snowed day has arrived....the heater box for the Y reg maestro.

Now ive not searched the forum for a detailed guide on how to dismantle and rebuild yet, so i thought id ask if anyone had attempted this.
the matrix is not leaking, the box motor spins superb and very very quiet, silent even, the unit worked perfect prior to dismantle. So why take it apart then?

The dreaded foam degradation.
It just turns to dust.

So, it's apart and all the metal workings inside are being powder coated.
Now apart from the many rivits that require drilling out, it wasn't that bad, matrix pipes are pitted but not rotten, but the two rubber seals that seal the pipes to the matrix are on their way out, so has any member got any of said rubber seals or have used a substitute seal?

[Mr bump]

The rubber grommet pictured, does anyone know of a part number for it?
it's the grommet that sits in the hole and is in between the steel water pipe and the body of the matrix.
Is this system carried over from a previous BL model?
It's a smiths heater box.
Any help would be fantastic folks, I don't want to let these lottle buggers stump me.

[grogee]

Could you use some rubber hose to go over the spigots on the heater matrix instead of fitting the steel pipe inside? And jubilee clips?

[Mr bump]

Could you use some rubber hose to go over the spigots on the heater matrix instead of fitting the steel pipe inside? And jubilee clips?

There is no spigots on the matrix unfortunately, just 2 holes, flow and return. The rubber seals pictured seal the steel pipes as the insert into the matrix.
the later ones had a steel flange that bolts to the for and return pipes.

[grogee]

Ah ok. My next suggestion is sealant but I'd imagine it's not going to handle the pressure very well. Tricky one! Those seals look to be a very specific shape.

[grogee]

Very difficult to tell from this picture but this unit (from Greece, of all places) may have the seals included. Worth an ask?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285191191...mis&media=COPY

[Doctordiesel77]

The one in Greece looks to be the later type, according to the parts list it would be possible to change to the later matrix/steel pipes. The bad news is that the parts list doesn't list the seal, other than mentioning that the early matrix included seals. The seal looks very similar to some waterproof cable gland grommets, if you have a friendly electrical supply place it might be worth asking them?

[digital efi]

Definitely no commonality with Mini, Allegro and Marina there: all of those had long pipes out of the matrix that connected directly to hoses in the engine bay. Not sure about Princess and SD1.

I think it is an issue that I might have to address with my 1.3HL project car, as a previous owner has bypassed the heater! I have some rusty bodywork to deal with first, though

[Mr bump]

I've found the closest matrix is from the golf mk1, there's plastic spigots already cast into the matrix, so the use of rubber pipes will be needed.
or option 2 is alter the box casing and retro fit the later matrix.

I did pick up a hybrid heater box from Tony's B reg car that was being broke.
It's the same shape as my early one with the pull up and down levers but it has the later flange type matrix, all factory fitted.
il post some pics up of this type of heater box.

[Mr bump]

Definitely no commonality with Mini, Allegro and Marina there: all of those had long pipes out of the matrix that connected directly to hoses in the engine bay. Not sure about Princess and SD1.

I think it is an issue that I might have to address with my 1.3HL project car, as a previous owner has bypassed the heater! I have some rusty bodywork to deal with first, though

I have found the solution and it involves parts readily available.
I will post up a separate section on how to and what is needed soon.
*WARNING*
Owners NOT of a nervous disposition need only attempt it.