Flapper Restoration (aka Flap Control Box), Springs and Sealing Rubber Options

[DennisV]

How are folks going about restoring original flapper boxes?

I had intended to bead blast and powder coat ours. Preparing to degrease them today, I see that they have a spring mechanism inside and what I think is a rubber sealing ring. I don't think those would much like the powder coating and required heat. Some other styles talked about on other forums get disassembled, but I don't see a way to get those components out without destroying the housing.

Perhaps bead blast and spray can is the best bet, and just accept the spring and sealing ring will get painted?

Thank you.

P.S. I've seem some discussion suggesting 914-6 were gray rather than black. Was that ever definitively answered? The color of ours is rust. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

[DennisV]

I got around to glass bead blasting these last night. A couple surprises.

First: I thought under the rust I'd get to at least a chip of original paint. I went from rust to bare metal. Not a trace of paint.

Second: I assume the flapper inside would have a ring of rubber like substance for the seal. Similar to what our 356 had. Instead I found mesh screen. Went easy in the interior areas in the vicinity of that flap. So I don't think I simply blew it away without a trace.


Has anyone had success getting the caps off that are held down by the 4 bent over metal tabs? I would sure like to take them apart for better prep and paint, but it's not worth breaking them.

[bbrock]

Second: I assume the flapper inside would have a ring of rubber like substance for the seal. Similar to what our 356 had. Instead I found mesh screen. Went easy in the interior areas in the vicinity of that flap. So I don't think I simply blew it away without a trace.

The mesh is what's left of a fiber gasket like your basic exhaust gasket material. I have assumed asbestos given the era they were made. Now you can see how those gaskets were crimped on to the flapper too.

[DennisV]

The mesh is what's left of a fiber gasket like your basic exhaust gasket material. I have assumed asbestos given the era they were made. Now you can see how those gaskets were crimped on to the flapper too.

Hrm. So maybe even with a light touch the glass bead was too much. My guess is I couldn't tell the rust from the fiber and I unknowingly destroyed it.

Given where we're at, perhaps I should really attack it now with the bead blaster just to try to get any remaining material out of it for safety reasons. At least the media gets filtered in the cabinet and I was wearing a mask when I did it.

I guess the next question is can I salvage these flappers. It looks like @bbrock found a path. Guess there's nothing stoping me from powder coating now if I can get them apart. If anyone has any additional restoration tips or tales of caution, now is the time to share!