When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Hey guys; Has anyone ever installed a vacuum controlled heater hose shutoff valve? I know I've seen some posts where people put in manual ones, but I was thinking it would be cool to have an automatic one that works whenever the heat is not on. Would this be possible to Tee it in one of the vacuum lines? Thanks for any feedback. Craig :cheers:
I am installing one in my 71. What I did was when I had the center console apart, I played around with the hoses where they connect to the controls, and found one that gives vacuum (or loses vacum...cant recall) at the right heater setting, and then I tee'd off of that hose. At this point the hose is bunched up under the dash. After repairing the floor and installing heat reflective padding, I no longer have heat issues in the car so the project has taken a back seat.
I want to do the same thing on my 73. When I put in the A/C on mine (it didn't come with it) I had it all figured out. I think there is one vacuum hose that controls a flapper valve for the AC that can be used. I will check the AIM again and try to figure it out and let you know.
I found a good working valve at a junk yard. Perhaps now is a good time to get it installed :)
Ganey...Let me go one more step. On my 80 I have heat/air coming out of the vents on the floor but not from the dash vents. I say not because sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I haven't been able to pin point the problem. Have you any thoughts as to were I can start. Thanks
Ganey...Let me go one more step. On my 80 I have heat/air coming out of the vents on the floor but not from the dash vents. I say not because sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I haven't been able to pin point the problem. Have you any thoughts as to were I can start. Thanks
Yes, this will do it.
On at least later C3 the problem is that heater is the default position (no vac. or vac. leak) due to being designed in the north. Vent should be default.
The vac. switch itself (in the console) is not switching due to vac. leak as the usually plastic rivet is not holding the 2 main switch parts together well. Besides replacing, it is also possible to tighten this &/or lube w/ white lithium grease or vasoline to fix.
PS The design problem comment is not intended to be offensive to any of our northern friends.
:cool:
Thanks for the quick reply. Is the Vac. switch replaceable. I have or thought I had replace evert possable Vac. line. Its just strange how it will come on when ever it wants to when the heat or air is running
Looking at my AIM, it looks like the best line to use is the tan one. This one has vacuum on it in the following positions: Off, MAX, and A/C. In all other positions, it will not have vacuum. Get a vacuum actuated valve that closes when you put vacuum to it, put a T in the tan line and run it to the valve, and put the valve in one of the heater hoses. That ought to do it.
I had the similar problem. I found the vacuum line was pinched in two places by the distributor shield. I had to track it from the firewall to were the line connects into the headlight vacuum line. Also, I replaced the heater selector switch. This cured my troubles.
...
The vac. switch itself (in the console) is not switching due to vac. leak as the usually plastic rivet is not holding the 2 main switch parts together well.
Besides replacing,
it is also possible to tighten this &/or lube w/ white lithium grease or vasoline to fix. ...
TRUE-DUALS
Yes, the switch is replacable. It is losing vac. as stated in my previous post.
John73bb; Thanks very much for the info. I guess I didn't look hard enough at the AIM to find it myself. I am going to put in the valve. Craig :cheers:
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.