I finished changing my heater core and re-conditioned the flapper box which controls whether hot air or cold air is drawn into the plenum. The flapper functions fine but the cable controller does not have enough range to move the flapper through is full range. It seems the issue is at the control panel. Even with the cable disconnected it does not move through it’s full range between cool and warm. I’ve adjusted the cable holder down at the flapper but it made very little difference. Here are two photos at the control panel showing the full motion available for the temperature selector knob. It can reach full warm but only part way up toward cool. Anyone know a trick how to remedy this? Thanks
No. I only unhooked the cable from the control box when I pulled it out. It always had the problem from when I got the car in 2015. I have the passenger side of the dash apart so I decided to finally fix it.
It is either the cable....or the controls...that is the issue. One can remove the speedometer and will be able to see both and see what the issue is.
Thanks. I discussed with with Dyent as well and yes, I’m going to pull the gage cluster. I also dropped the radio to make it easier to disconnect the speedometer cable. I have a new cable coming from Melvin’s. Stay tuned!
I realize I did not finish the story on my efforts on the heater control cable. I disconnected the speedometer cable and pulled the gauge cluster. I had good access to the two cables and pulled the heater cable out. I found it had a 90 degree bend in the sliding metal part of it. It also has a defect somewhere inside the cable and the previous owner must have tried to force it to the point of completely bending it. I tried to bend it back but there is still the original problem inside so I would rather find a solution rather than trying to fix this one . The new cable came from Melvin’s Classic Ford. Here it is from their catalogue.
Unfortunately, although it is correct that it measured 43-1/8 inch, I found my original cable ( once straightened out) , is 52-1/2 inches long. I tried to install Melvin’s cable and it is too short to put the temp control door through is entire motion. My question is, has anyone been able to make Melvin’s cable work in their car? This is for a non-AC car, 1973 with the box next to the passenger side of the car. I have nothing but good things to say about Melvin’s but I am missing something here. Any ideas? Thanks.
Here is how bent the original cable was. The heat control was basically none functional. I’ve rebuilt the heater box but still need to solve this control cable issue.
For what it's worth, I once used a lawn mower throttle cable for a similar issue...long ago on a distant ranch....
that should be an easy one to straighten out. if it was bent right at the end of the outer cable it would be more difficult.
Hi Frank. I can try straighten it out but there is still a problem somewhere inside the cable that makes it very tight. I’m thinking it will just bend again like the original owner bent it will trying to open adjust the flapper to get heat.
I thought I’d post a couple of pictures that are on another thread regarding the temperature control cable issue. I ended up ordering a used cable from Green Sales for $15 plus shipping. Unfortunately it was missing a tab on the heater box end. I fabricated a tab using a cable stay and some JB marine epoxy. It works and now controls my re-built heater box. Now to put the dash back in and get this car ready for the Kimberley Motor Mountain car show. They have a section for cars undergoing restoration. Fingers crossed.
