Fixing Broken Pot metal Heater Controls. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Davemotohead · 12-11-2012, 05:20 PM

Being the Cheap ass Guy that I am,,my defrost lever on the heater controls broke,,it also operates the Vac switch for the heater controls,,So instead of Buying a Entire New aftermarket unit,,Decided to rip it apart and see if I could fix it! After A few fabrications,,and using a part of the bed sheetmetal I cut out for the gas tank install,,my lever is working great and stronger than stock!

GASoline71 · 12-11-2012, 05:31 PM

Pretty slick!

Gary

Davemotohead · 12-12-2012, 01:03 AM

I Tried JB weld first! broke the first time I tried to use it,,Oh Well!

dhaymaker · 12-12-2012, 10:44 AM

Buying a complete control unit can be pricy. LMC prices them at $169.95 for with A/C and $129.95 w/o A/C.

But, you can buy a kit for $29.95 and do a rebuild on your existing Heat and A/C control. It's worth considering...

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cb/full.aspx?Page=100

bollybib · 12-12-2012, 11:45 AM

Impressive repair.

I was gonna fix my busted one, too until I found that I could get the lever alone for about six bucks + S&H (LMC sells that lever alone PN 30-2687).

*Mister-B* · 12-12-2012, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhaymaker

Buying a complete control unit can be pricy. LMC prices them at $169.95 for with A/C and $129.95 w/o A/C.

But, you can buy a kit for $29.95 and do a rebuild on your existing Heat and A/C control. It's worth considering...

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cb/full.aspx?Page=100

Or you can get a whole unit from the junk yard for $19 like I did today off a '71. Got it all installed, and it works perfectly. Very pleased with the price and the results
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PanelDeland · 12-12-2012, 07:55 PM

Don't forget to clean/lube the cables.That will go a long way towards making them last.

Davemotohead · 12-12-2012, 09:09 PM

My junk yard did not have any A/C units,,Did not know you could buy the individual levers?? I called LMC and they told me they only sold the entire Unit? Tried to buy some other parts seperate like the Vac Head control and they said I need to buy the entire Unit?? What Gives?

1972RedNeck · 12-12-2012, 09:34 PM

I would have JB welded it and bolted it after the JB weld broke. But that is just the way I am.

Are the lever made of aluminum? If so, I may try to weld mine and then plate it.

motorcritter · 12-12-2012, 09:50 PM

I've been pondering a cheap 'n' easy fix for the top lever on the '71 Cheyenne. I've got it jammed on full blast, gimme heat stroke right now. When the weather gets nice here in Colorado, I'll pull it out and get creative.

As a side note, kinda related- I've used strands of steel wool mixed in with the JB Weld, for high-strength items to fix items I am too cheap or unwilling to search for. Works great on plastic hubs on lawnmower drive wheels! I wouldn't use it in this situation, though- too much concentrated side-loading.
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joesgreen67 · 12-13-2012, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davemotohead

Being the Cheap ass Guy that I am...

You are correct sir! I bought the replacement metal levers (non-pot metal)
for $34.95 on ebay...no hassle, no rigging, no B.S. Just removed & replaced. I also lubed all cables

nolimitssjca · 04-08-2013, 11:00 PM

I also bought the lever from LMC. But in looking at the unit, how do I get it apart to replace the part? It looks as if it's a solid piece. What is it I'm not seeing?

12-11-2012, 05:20 PM	#1
Davemotohead Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: rosamond ca Posts: 130	Fixing Broken Pot metal Heater Controls. Being the Cheap ass Guy that I am,,my defrost lever on the heater controls broke,,it also operates the Vac switch for the heater controls,,So instead of Buying a Entire New aftermarket unit,,Decided to rip it apart and see if I could fix it! After A few fabrications,,and using a part of the bed sheetmetal I cut out for the gas tank install,,my lever is working great and stronger than stock! Attached Images __________________ edited by staff

12-12-2012, 01:03 AM	#3
Davemotohead Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: rosamond ca Posts: 130	Re: Fixing Broken Pot metal Heater Controls. I Tried JB weld first! broke the first time I tried to use it,,Oh Well! Attached Images __________________ edited by staff

12-12-2012, 10:44 AM	#4
dhaymaker Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Peyton, CO Posts: 448	Re: Fixing Broken Pot metal Heater Controls. Buying a complete control unit can be pricy. LMC prices them at $169.95 for with A/C and $129.95 w/o A/C. But, you can buy a kit for $29.95 and do a rebuild on your existing Heat and A/C control. It's worth considering... http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cb/full.aspx?Page=100 __________________ don "The DRBMan" 2014 Audi A4 (The Wife's Daily Driver) 2017 HD Ultra (The Cruiser) 2003 HD Fatboy (The Ride) 2001 Chevy Suburban (Another back up!!) For the first time in forever, not a single 67-72 Chevy truck, Blazer, or Suburban on the property! Basically retired and getting the new Motorhome ready for some traveling. Doing a bit of work on the house getting it ready to sell! LOL!!

12-12-2012, 11:45 AM	#5
bollybib Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Carlsbad, CA Posts: 1,584	Re: Fixing Broken Pot metal Heater Controls. Impressive repair. I was gonna fix my busted one, too until I found that I could get the lever alone for about six bucks + S&H (LMC sells that lever alone PN 30-2687). __________________ - Jim - My Daily Driver is a 1969 Chevrolet Custom/20 Fleetside 350/TH400/Eaton H052 4.10 and its Project thread is here http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=456911

12-12-2012, 07:55 PM	#7
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,993	Re: Fixing Broken Pot metal Heater Controls. Don't forget to clean/lube the cables.That will go a long way towards making them last. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

12-12-2012, 09:09 PM	#8
Davemotohead Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: rosamond ca Posts: 130	Re: Fixing Broken Pot metal Heater Controls. My junk yard did not have any A/C units,,Did not know you could buy the individual levers?? I called LMC and they told me they only sold the entire Unit? Tried to buy some other parts seperate like the Vac Head control and they said I need to buy the entire Unit?? What Gives? __________________ edited by staff

12-12-2012, 09:50 PM	#10
motorcritter Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 350	Re: Fixing Broken Pot metal Heater Controls. I've been pondering a cheap 'n' easy fix for the top lever on the '71 Cheyenne. I've got it jammed on full blast, gimme heat stroke right now. When the weather gets nice here in Colorado, I'll pull it out and get creative. As a side note, kinda related- I've used strands of steel wool mixed in with the JB Weld, for high-strength items to fix items I am too cheap or unwilling to search for. Works great on plastic hubs on lawnmower drive wheels! I wouldn't use it in this situation, though- too much concentrated side-loading. Posted via Mobile Device

04-08-2013, 11:00 PM	#12
nolimitssjca Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 69	Re: Fixing Broken Pot metal Heater Controls. I also bought the lever from LMC. But in looking at the unit, how do I get it apart to replace the part? It looks as if it's a solid piece. What is it I'm not seeing? Last edited by nolimitssjca; 04-08-2013 at 11:21 PM.



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