I'm not 100% certain, but the heater control valve on our ranch wagon seems to be dripping coolant from the underside of the valve body. I thought it was from the new heater hose I put on, so I double clamped it, but I still get a drip than makes it's way down to the top of the intake. The car still has the stock heater with the vacuum line going through the firewall to the heater core (I think). So if I just replace the control valve with a 90 degree 5/8" - 1/2"NPT fitting will the heater still operate without the vacuum line?
Rono

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

it will work but no temp controle.if you do not want to replace thevacume controle you can buy a manual 1 operated with a choke typ controle.

Okay, thanks! That's an option.
Rono

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

Ron  I might have a new heater control valve,i will check tomorrow then let you know  Carl

Not wanting to hijack the post but mine did the same thing but only when I moved the temp arm on the heater from cool to warm. I changed it and all worked fine. I know the vacuum line is tee'd into the same one feeding the wipers and off on cool but how does it limit the vacuum in the mid range? To me it would be on or off...thanks.

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.

There should be a thermal device on the heater core that the vacuum line runs thru, thus giving variable control. I never had one that worked, it was either on or off. I've had a couple of the "conversion" valves from the bird suppliers, inline on the heater hose right at the heater core. They never really shut off, any time you wing the engine you get hot water thru them.

I found one at NAPA that shuts off. You're on your own to rig a cable, but when this one is off, it's off. I put it inline at the intake manifold, and just shut it off in the summer. Someday, I'll get a long cable and do it right.

http://www.napaonline.com/napa/en/search/?text=660-1869

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Thanks for the info guys. Mike, MAC's sells a 57 Heater control valve that threads into the manifold with a brass shut off valve on top for about $20.00. Wouldn't that work about the same as the inline unit from NAPA? Just shut it of in the summer. On our Ranch Wagon, we still have a 56 dizzy, but the previous owner must have converted to electric wipers. I upgraded the fuel pump to a non-vacuum type and the wipers work fine. Also, no "T" in the vacuum line from the heater control valve. Just a straight line going through the firewall. I am loading the car on my trailer on Wednesday morning for the trip to Idaho so I don't have the time to fool with it now. Just going to park it when I get it up there. I don't think we will be doing much Idaho cruising in the winter, but I could wrong.

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

Ron, I don't know what Mac's sells, but I had one that was a 90*, threaded into manifold, and a hose connection. Little shut off on top like a radiator drain. It leaked. I finally built an adaptor from 5/8" hose to the water faucet on the house. I know its more pressure than a water pump, but I was tired of draining the radiator to replace bad valves.

I spent 18 months flying into Boise and driving to a project in Jerome. You'll want the heat, in case you forgot

Have a safe trip.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Thanks mike...you are probably right about the cold. I remember it. I know Jerome too. Worked on a clean-up project at the old Tupperware plant there.
Rono

  Ron Lane,  Meridian, ID

Thanks Miker. Wondered how it worked. For as long as is off in the "cool" position I'm OK. On some of my 5:00 am cruises I like the defroster on and I only use the air vents for cool anyway.

Rono- good luck on your move Bishop to Idaho....who would ever thought. I'm 71 and to old to start over but would love to have a shop like your getting. It's tough having a 2 car garage and giving up 1/2 to my wife. She has a Civic now--- next a Smart Car.

56 Vic, B'Ville 200 MPH Club Member, So Cal.