I'm at yet another impasse with the 356, the engine is now ready to go in save for this little problem with the heater boxes. I've let this one go until now because I was busy with other things but now I need to solve it or install them with no working heat and deal w/ it later. (They were not previously working).
Basically, I need to attach this shaft to its flap/valve while it's installed in the HB. I took it to my welder and he could not assure me that his MIG welder would not warp/melt the flap even with a small/quick tack weld. The factory somehow crimped these on with a tiny weld, you can see the marks on the shaft and flap.
I either need to drill tiny holes in both parts and find small screws and/or use some super-duper epoxy that is heat-resistent to attach the parts together. I don't know my epoxy products and this would be a 1-shot deal, ie. if it does not work, the part would be really mucked-up.
New heater boxes are available for ~$300 each but need to be shipped. I need to install the motor today and would love to fix this box cheaply. Thanks in advance as always.
Here is the offending part:
