Heater Diverter Valve? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

68 Suburban · 06-08-2003, 10:46 AM

Do they make a valve that I can put in my heater core water lines so I can shut off the hot water to the heater core?

mtdave2 · 06-08-2003, 10:58 AM

i just use one for a house.. works great. you know the ones with the red handles, like the ones for you outdoor spicket

68 Suburban · 06-08-2003, 11:01 AM

Thanks. I was hoping to find something more automotive looking

I dont want it to look like I have house plumbing....lol

Also, dont you have to route it back around and not just cut off the flow?

*Gee_Emm* · 06-08-2003, 11:21 AM

They make those one armed shut off valves, that would look more automotive. Check out the plumbing dept at your local hardware store

68 Suburban · 06-08-2003, 11:24 AM

thanks, can you just "shut" off the flow, or do you have to route it and return the flow on the return line. While we are at it. Which hose is the flow line, and which one is the return line.

*Gee_Emm* · 06-08-2003, 11:30 AM

I would think that you should be able to block it off without rerouting it. What do the guys that shave their firewall do?

**68 Stepside** · 06-08-2003, 11:46 AM

We blocked off both of the heater hoses in our 96 F700 work truck...I'm willing to bet the a/c temp dropped 10 degrees at least. As far as "automotive-looking" shut off valves, just go to your local hardware store and look around. We got ours at the local store here, and they're all metal, and just kinda blend in.

Good luck.

TJ

tom hand · 06-08-2003, 11:53 AM

NAPA sells a valve just for this...It is all one piece so it looks a lot better than something you put together at a hardware store. It really doesn't matter which one you block....no flow no heat. The intake line is the supply, the waterpump is the suction. No you don't have to reroute it.

**StingRay** · 06-08-2003, 11:55 AM

I thought a water shut off was actually part of the stock A/C if I'm recalling correctly. There are many kinds of automotive water shut offs available in the aftermarket. Some just shut off the water flow while others called H valves actually bypass the the core and return the flow back to the engine. I have two or three different kinds in the garage I'll take a few pics. Try a Rad shop or A/C specialist.

Longhorn Man · 06-08-2003, 12:09 PM

68 sub's A/C is not stock, he just installed an aftermarket deal.
I bought one of the NAPA ones for 20 bucks (OUCH!!) last summer and it leaked pretty bad.
I'd go the hardware store route.

**MikeB** · 06-08-2003, 01:27 PM

Vintage Air makes one that is cable actuated. You could control it from under your dash.

68 Suburban · 06-08-2003, 02:07 PM

Thanks for all the advice guys. Actually, I think once I have it turned off, I will never turn it back on

I have never turned on the heat in the burb, except just to check it :p But I don't want to permanetly by pass it...lol

And to think the first thing I did when I purchased my burb 3 years ago was to have the bad heater core replaced....lol

kenele · 06-08-2003, 03:27 PM

I just put a little brass valve from Home Depot in doesn't look bad at all....just a few twists of the wrist and its off.

Project1970 · 06-08-2003, 03:33 PM

My dad did a hose valve in mine ages ago. I'm not sure how well it works, given my heat doesn't seem to work either way...(like it matters, LOL) Just one more reason I want to gut the whole mess and do it right...

Edit: And looking through my pics, it's the one thing I didn't get in the engine bay, heh!

**Stocker** · 06-08-2003, 05:56 PM

Several years ago I replaced the valve on my 72, pretty sure I got it from NAPA. OEM type, factory air, valve is vacuum operated. Bolts to pass. side inner fender, in supply hose from intake manifold.

06-08-2003, 10:46 AM	#1
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	Heater Diverter Valve? Do they make a valve that I can put in my heater core water lines so I can shut off the hot water to the heater core? __________________ Just sitting here contemplating contemplation.

06-08-2003, 10:58 AM	#2
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,508	i just use one for a house.. works great. you know the ones with the red handles, like the ones for you outdoor spicket __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

06-08-2003, 11:01 AM	#3
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	Thanks. I was hoping to find something more automotive looking I dont want it to look like I have house plumbing....lol Also, dont you have to route it back around and not just cut off the flow? __________________ Just sitting here contemplating contemplation.

06-08-2003, 11:24 AM	#5
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	thanks, can you just "shut" off the flow, or do you have to route it and return the flow on the return line. While we are at it. Which hose is the flow line, and which one is the return line. __________________ Just sitting here contemplating contemplation.

06-08-2003, 11:46 AM	#7
68 Stepside huh? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Washington, Illinois Posts: 5,692	We blocked off both of the heater hoses in our 96 F700 work truck...I'm willing to bet the a/c temp dropped 10 degrees at least. As far as "automotive-looking" shut off valves, just go to your local hardware store and look around. We got ours at the local store here, and they're all metal, and just kinda blend in. Good luck. TJ __________________ Someday when I'm lonely, Wishing you weren't so far away, Then I will remember Things we said today. RIP El Jay

06-08-2003, 11:21 AM	#4
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,002	They make those one armed shut off valves, that would look more automotive. Check out the plumbing dept at your local hardware store

06-08-2003, 11:30 AM	#6
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,002	I would think that you should be able to block it off without rerouting it. What do the guys that shave their firewall do?

06-08-2003, 11:53 AM	#8
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	NAPA sells a valve just for this...It is all one piece so it looks a lot better than something you put together at a hardware store. It really doesn't matter which one you block....no flow no heat. The intake line is the supply, the waterpump is the suction. No you don't have to reroute it. __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

06-08-2003, 11:55 AM	#9
StingRay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Saskatoon,SK,Canada Posts: 2,476	I thought a water shut off was actually part of the stock A/C if I'm recalling correctly. There are many kinds of automotive water shut offs available in the aftermarket. Some just shut off the water flow while others called H valves actually bypass the the core and return the flow back to the engine. I have two or three different kinds in the garage I'll take a few pics. Try a Rad shop or A/C specialist. __________________ Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Canada Last edited by StingRay; 06-08-2003 at 12:14 PM.

06-08-2003, 12:09 PM	#10
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	68 sub's A/C is not stock, he just installed an aftermarket deal. I bought one of the NAPA ones for 20 bucks (OUCH!!) last summer and it leaked pretty bad. I'd go the hardware store route.

06-08-2003, 01:27 PM	#11
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,464	Vintage Air makes one that is cable actuated. You could control it from under your dash. __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!

06-08-2003, 02:07 PM	#12
68 Suburban Registered User Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: From Chicago, Live in Phoenix, AZ Posts: 6,802	Thanks for all the advice guys. Actually, I think once I have it turned off, I will never turn it back on I have never turned on the heat in the burb, except just to check it :p But I don't want to permanetly by pass it...lol And to think the first thing I did when I purchased my burb 3 years ago was to have the bad heater core replaced....lol __________________ Just sitting here contemplating contemplation.

06-08-2003, 03:27 PM	#13
kenele Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Vaugh, WA Posts: 191	brass valve I just put a little brass valve from Home Depot in doesn't look bad at all....just a few twists of the wrist and its off. __________________ '71 GMC Suburban C1500

06-08-2003, 03:33 PM	#14
Project1970 14.1 @ 96MPH Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 2,811	My dad did a hose valve in mine ages ago. I'm not sure how well it works, given my heat doesn't seem to work either way...(like it matters, LOL) Just one more reason I want to gut the whole mess and do it right... Edit: And looking through my pics, it's the one thing I didn't get in the engine bay, heh! __________________ Project1970 - LS1 Swap Complete! Last edited by Project1970; 06-08-2003 at 03:36 PM.

06-08-2003, 05:56 PM	#15
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,575	Can't find p/n, but... Several years ago I replaced the valve on my 72, pretty sure I got it from NAPA. OEM type, factory air, valve is vacuum operated. Bolts to pass. side inner fender, in supply hose from intake manifold. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay



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