The heater control valve on the '72 Mav 302 w/AC doesn't close under vacuum. It doesn't leak vacuum and the valve can be opened and closed by hand but hand vacuum pump won't close it. Turns out this valve is rare and, if one is found, its usually very expensive. I bought another, more common valve (wish I could remember what it fits. Anyone recognize it?) but did not like having one hose pointing at the apron and the bracket won't mount directly to the firewall. So I've been running without a cntrl valve. AC seems to work just fine, and it hasn't been a problem, but I gotta believe having a hot heater core affects the AC efficiency some. Anyway, think I have a "fix". The new valve has the same vacuum motor as the original 302 AC valve. And its easy to swap motors. Just bent the three tabs that hold the motors to the bracket and valve and did the swap. Its not QUITE original in that one vacuum hose points in a different direction but who cares? Bench tested the new motor on the old valve and it closes with 12" Hg vacuum. Haven't installed it yet but I have faith.
Yeah....the V-8 AC shutoff's are hard to find. I see them on ebay but they bring big money because the Torino guys use the same one.
Oooooh I have a few NOS ones, maybe I'll save them for my retirement!! The 6 cylinder ones go straight through.
I wanted to say that new one was for the 6 cyl but I can't say for sure. Looking at the pictures, now I'm wondering if I could have turned the motor 180* and had the vacuum lines pointing in the right direction. Have to have another look before I install it. Don't know if the hook can be rotated.
Nice job, Mr. Arnold. I hadn't thought of modifying the straight heater flow valves that I have, the way that you modified yours. Thank you, for creating this post. :Handshake
Hey Charles, If the problem is with the vacuum motor, it'll be one of the easiest fixes you've done. Jim
