I know it's not a Cougar, but at least it's a classic Ford and I need HELP!

Cougar Community Classic Cougar Maintenance Restoration and Repair
1

Hey all,

So I will be willing to take a lot of flack for asking a non cougar question, but I have been diagnosing why my defroster is NOT working in my '65 Galaxie, and need a little advice/help from those more experienced with resto, body assembly, etc. So here’s what I have ruled out so far-The blower motor and resistor, both are working, and all three speeds work. The cables and doors, had to free up the trap door that actuates the defroster, but have that working.

Here’s the other problems I have found-about 3/4"-1" daylight between defroster vent and plenum box which I know should not be, a big gaping hole that allowed me to see the defroster trap door hanging up along with verifying why it would stick at the controls. No airflow on any setting although I think not having a seal between the defroster vent and the plenum box is playing HUGE part in this as it seems that air is going nowhere and everywhere at the same time. You can actually here air flowing when you pull the fresh air vent on the passenger side with the vehicle at rest and the blower motor on any setting, but can’t really feel any at any vent be it upper or lower.

I haven’t pulled the heater core yet to check the seal between the plenum chamber and firewall, but have checked the seal between the outer heater box and the firewall, and it is air tight. I will be pulling the heater core once the car cools down from the initial diagnosis to see how much daylight is between the plenum and the firewall at that area.

If there is anything else I need to check, by all means give me a laundry list. There is nothing more frustrating/dangerous than windows that will not defog and/or stay that way. I really like driving the car, but hate when things don’t work properly (boy did that sound like that anal retentive Dyson guy).

Thanks in advance,

Al

2

sounds like heater core is covered with leaves and crap

3

I’ve heard that the shutters/doors whatever you wamt to call them had a flexible edge to help seal the system. They get brittle and hard and stuck closed and you need to trim a 1/16" off the edge to get them working. Not quite as efficient as factory but at least operational. Not sure if thats an issue for you or not but it might be something to look at

4

Thanks guys. Will check both. The heater core, unlike the Cougar, is easy to pull out. By the way, if you guys think Cougar stuff is hard to come by, try finding a heater seal kit for a '65 Galaxie.

Thanks again for the suggestions,

Al

5

You hit the nail on the head. Pulled the core and no airflow. Got my long pry bar, and a long screw driver, started feeling around and BINGO, a giant mouse nest broke apart and started flying everywhere.

Dad had said that he smelled mouse piss and so did my bud that sold the car to him.once you mentioned the outer heater box being clogged with junk I had to go right back out.

Anyhow, thanks a lot. It doesn’t get very cold here, but the humidity will keep you windows fogged with even a hint of rain.

Have a great day,

Al