Where to Start - Investigate/Repair Heat/Air Controls

[thethump]

I'm a bit baffled by the combos of the top and bottom heat/air controls (72 w/factory air), but have a problem to solve (top lever is locked and came bent). I've gathered from reading this will be a lubricate or replace cables/levers.

Where to start? I'm looking at the dash and not sure where to start disassembly. Can someone give me the first steps?

Thanks!

[towtruckerfour]

I have 2 70's and I'm not sure if they have the same parts. First, I would check the heater valve out in the engine compartment and make sure it is free moving. As far as the dash goes, for mine I remove the radio for easy access to the controls. Just try some wd-40 on the cables and see if they loosen up. Hope that helps.

Troy

[fordman]

the top lever controls two cables at once. 1 of them goes to the heater cotrol valve in the engine compartment. the other one goes to the thermatic switch ontop of the a'c unit. the heater control is the one that is probably bent and or stuck. the best way to get a it is under or behind the radio. whihc means taking the radio out. here is the sites schematic of the cables. http://www.fordification.com/AC-cables.htm

[thethump]

Hi, thanks again FordMan.

I was successful removing some of the (don't wanna move) on the top heater control by checking/replacing the hot water control valve (cable 1 controls) under the hood. The top lever is a bit problematic as it seems to need to get over a hurdle (bump mechanical switch?). If reading and hearing correctly, the ac compressor fires up under the hood when I do get that top lever all the way left.

I think I'll start with a lubricate graphite or wd40 to work on cable 2's function. Still can't seem to find a place to start removing cosmetics over the ac unit, need flash light, or I'm getting blind.

Will be posting my truck photo soon.

David

[fordman]

take out the glove box and the radio or radio plate. thats the only way in without droppign the whole unit.

[thethump]

I've lubricated the heater control / ac switch lever, and got the compressor tick'n. Would'nt keep a charge of course.. so I got some fluorescent dye and found I was losing everything at the end of hoses. New O-rings fixed me up. Still trying to find a specification (found, see link below) on how much refrigerant, FordMan mentioned 3 pounds elsewhere here, but suggested checking out the compressor.

http://www.fordification.com/acservice.htm

Tags: ac lbs pound refrigerant air conditioning.

[thethump]

O.k., the lbs. on the refrigerant was on a label on the ac compressor. On my 72 it was 2 lbs. I've still got problems with noise and lack of cool air, but broke the top lever off today trying to trouble shoot. The lever was moveable after replacing the heater control valve (thanks FordMan) but now it's gone.

New Protect/Problem: How the heck do I get the radio out? Patience is the lesson for me here. See this photo for my comments and the challenge.

[fordman]

that radio is very hard to get out. i pushed mine back andit barely will clear enough to jockey it around and bring it out through the glove box.

[thethump]

Wonder what the chance is that my wife would lend her little hands on this job. I'll give it my best. Details at eleven.

[thethump]

Not sure how this is setup in other models, but that radio ain't going back but an inch on it's left side before hits passenger side windshield wiper arm. I hated to do it, but I new there was room above the radio, so I pushed the right radio control nob back, and bent the bracket out and can lift one side to get where I need to be.

I've search the net (Dennis Carpenter etc.) for a replacement part and had no luck. Pointers?

Thanks... I feel like a leach here.
- David

[fordman]

i did assume that you had the lower bracket removed from the back of the radio. bending the ears to get the knobs out is ok. i think i had to do that. i think the twisting motion that you are doint by turning the radio out of hte ears is also what i did to get mine out. it was very hard to do with that factory a/c in the way. keep trying. go slow and don't break anything.

[Lar4t9r]

Not sure how this is setup in other models, but that radio ain't going back but an inch on it's left side before hits passenger side windshield wiper arm. I hated to do it, but I new there was room above the radio, so I pushed the right radio control nob back, and bent the bracket out and can lift one side to get where I need to be.

I've search the net (Dennis Carpenter etc.) for a replacement part and had no luck. Pointers?

Thanks... I feel like a leach here.
- David

I don't think you will find a supplier for the controls. You will need to find it from one of the members or ebay/craig's list I think.

[fordman]

as for the replacemnet controls i haven't looked yet but i am guessing that you mihgt be able to piece together or use a heat only control unit. but i haven't tried to compare them yet. i will look soon. just to be sure.

[thethump]

Ford 1 - David 0 on this A/C control lever replacement. The pin which connects the lever/roller (in the assembly) is machine pressed together, i.e. there is no simply replacing just the lever. The entire A/C - Heater control assembly requires replacement. That's gonna require I drop the A/C unit down/out i.e. requires further study or ehh... I just don't wanna F' with that much. For another time. For now, I'll set the the broken top lever for A/C. Winter comes... we'll do something different.

I learned that the radio is nearly impossible (I could not, even when bending the ears) to get out when there is a factory A/C unit. Got it out of the way so to speak. The bottom of entire assembly is better lubricated, less dust and rust. More notes later, maybe.

- David

[fordman]

that radio is one tough mofo to get out. it took me quite awhile to do mine. once you get it out it should be pretty easy to replace the controls and the cables where needed.