Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

The felt around the fresh air damper has worn so that it lets fresh cold air to leak into passenger compartment on both sides. The cables close the damper properly but the worn felt doesn't seal good.

Anybody dealt with this? Thanks.

You didn't mention which year but I expect they were all made in a similar fashion but probably in a different shape for the 48-50s.

In the case of the 51-6 shown in photo, two formed oval plates were stapled together with a piece of die cut sheet rubber between them. The shaft is a bent rod formed to provide a couple of "V" bends in the middle of length and is slid into the stapled together damper.

Removal is a matter of taking off the retainer clip on the far end and sliding the rod out of the duct and damper. Once the rod is out, the damper will be removable. Several have repaired the 51-6 type and there are probably pictures on various blogs on site. To fasten them back together either screws, pop rivets or if you want the aggravation, even the original staples could probably be reused if any are still good.

Steele at one time carried the 51-6 diecut rubber pieces. I didn't see any currently on his site, but maybe still has them. If not or if not what you need, many have made them by cutting ordinary 1/16" or maybe 1/8" thick sheet rubber or neoprene to the proper size and shape using the old as a starting pattern.

You mentioned felt so if that is what you have or was used in the older cars, that or the sheet rubber is available in various thickness and small square foot quantities from McMaster-Carr.

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When you take them apart, note which way the cross shaft goes in. This way when you put the cable back on it opens/closes properly! I used pop rivets and it was pretty easy.
I cut my own gaskets out of sheet rubber I bought locally. Good opportunity to clean, sandblast and paint those parts also.

Neglected to say it's on a 49. Thanks for info