78 air vent control question

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May 25, 2015 | 11:18 PM

oldC3guy

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78 air vent control question

I have a '78 without A/C. There are round ***** on each kick panel but I don't know what they do. I have tried pushing, pulling, swearing but nothing is moving. The owners manual says something about "turn lever to open the vent doors" and I turn the lever but don't see the flap moving. I don't know what the relationship between the round ***** and the flapper lever if any. Thanks in advance for sharing your expertise.

May 26, 2015 | 03:59 AM

hunt4cleanair

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From: Myrtle Beach SC

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldC3guy

I have a 78 with A/C and when replacing the heater core, took some time to explore, study and test the actuator and doors they activated. So your configuration would not have those actuators that required vacuum to activate. But you would have the vent doors and I suspect those ***** open the vent doors to allow fresh air to enter the cabin. Those doors have rubber around them and it may have gotten stuck from lack of use.

My suggestion, either use your AIM and look at how it is configured or go through the passenger side and remove the kick panel to determine the hangup. It could be the linkage is hungup as well like the manual elements of a door lock system. At that point, it is only some WD 40 to get it operational.

Hope this helps!

May 26, 2015 | 07:11 PM

oldC3guy

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Thanks for the reply! I appreciate it. After submitting the post yesterday I was able to dig deeper in the AIM and it appears that the round ***** should pull out (or inboard) and open the flapper. I'm just wondering if anyone else has had the sticking problem? Should it be very hard on an old car or should I try to unstick it otherwise? I just hate to try to force it because I have damaged things in the past when using the "bigger hammer" solution. Any non-A/C guys have a suggestion?

May 26, 2015 | 07:18 PM

DUB

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From: Charlotte NC

OOPS what I wrote was not useful.

DUB

Last edited by DUB; May 26, 2015 at 07:49 PM.

May 26, 2015 | 07:39 PM

BKarol

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From: Northeast

I have a 78 non ac car. You slide the **** about an inch toward the floor to close the flapper, slide it back an inch toward you to open.

open

There is just a rod that attaches to the flapper and runs back to the ****.

Last edited by BKarol; May 27, 2015 at 07:37 AM.

May 27, 2015 | 03:50 PM

hunt4cleanair

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From: Myrtle Beach SC

Cool photos...but watch that cramped passenger footwell!

May 27, 2015 | 07:21 PM

oldC3guy

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Right you are. Cramped footwell doesn't quite capture how cramped it really is. It would almost be easier to take the seat out than try to turn into a pretzel and do anything there. But we love it, right?

May 27, 2015 | 07:23 PM

oldC3guy

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Karol,
BINGO! That was the ticket! Got it to move but need a few pounds of lube in there and all will be well. Thank you very much! Love the Forum and all the knowledge you all have.