405 Heater Box Removal

[peterf]

Hi forum,

I am in the process of removing the heater box from our 405, I would appreciate hearing from anyone that has actually under taken this process on a 405. I am aware of the steps as outlined in the 405 workshop manual and have completed all steps, up to the final instruction which says to “Lift out the heater box”

The last instruction can’t be completed because the two aluminum demister tubes which pass from the heater box through two holes in the bulk head into the cabin will not withdraw far enough to clear the bulk head. I believe this is because of the firewall reinforcement bar which the forward facing surface of the heater box comes into contact with.

If the aluminum tubes were shortened by approx 5mm -or a max 10mm this would allow the heater box to then be removed. So hence my question to any one that has completed the removal of the 405 heater box, is this what needs to be done? Or is there some other demon tweak?

Thanks for any experienced advice.

Cheers

Peter