Air regulator question... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

COACHMEASON · 04-13-2009, 11:26 PM

Well, I call it the air regulator...Its the box with the flap on the inside...My flap is broke and the only thing holding it together is the rubber seal on the flap...Question...Will the flap come out? Is their a fix for the flap while its still inside the box? Ideas?

Thanks
Clint

**Papa Smurf** · 04-14-2009, 02:25 AM

This is a bad weak point in the a/c system. I got tired of paying the big bucks for new boxes, or putting in used ones knowing they would eventually do the same thing, so I came up with a way to fix it without taking the whole thing apart. I have repaired several and they work great. Not factory and not perfect, but it works better than the original.

Somebody may have a good fix, if not, I'll try to take some pix and explain mine.

Papa Smurf

JimKshortstep4x4 · 04-14-2009, 05:36 AM

A piece of sheet metal riveted to the door and welded to the shaft has worked pretty well on my diverter box.

Welding is a little tricky but it can be done.

Jim

**LockDoc** · 04-14-2009, 07:29 AM

-
I am in the process of doing this repair myself. I haven't found any replacement doors, just the whole assembly (for 90 bucks). I was thinking about getting a piece of sheet brass and making a repair piece that could be epoxied to the original door and use the original gasket if it is in decent shape. I haven't been close to a store that has the sheet brass yet. That's the problem with living out in the boonies...

LockDoc

**Papa Smurf** · 04-14-2009, 12:56 PM

O.K. Here is a quick and simple repair that works great. Takes about 15 minutes and should last forever.

I start with a Simpson wall tie(because I am a carpenter and happened to have some). Any piece of thin bendable metal about 1" wide and 9" long will work. About 3 1/4 inch from one end bend around a 3/8" bolt to make a radius. Then at 3/4" from the radius, bend it to about 30 degrees.

Now take your diverter and with a dremel, or other suitable tool, cut away some of the plastic housing next to the rubber. Now slip the bent end of the metal through this slot and check to see that it lays close on both sides of the flapper. If it doesn''t lay perfectly flat, don't worry, it'll pull in.

On the long side you'll need to drill one small hole near the end of the metal strip and put a small nut and bolt through the plastic. On the bent end you should be able to put a small bolt through the slots in the plastic and use big enough washers to hold it there. Tighten it all up and you're done. Works great. And saves lots of $$$$$!!!!!

Papa Smurf

alsohim · 12-17-2010, 03:05 PM

Tks for the pics. I tore it down and the flap was stuck(flap Rod) and now it works perfect. On the back where the cable attaches to the flap there is a switch. What does that push switch control? I think it triggers the a/c compressor but I'm not sure. Again thanks for the tech.

Kaleb

**Papa Smurf** · 12-17-2010, 08:04 PM

A/C compressor - correct. Glad you got it done.

**Papa Smurf** · 03-04-2016, 07:54 AM

ttt

hdff · 03-05-2016, 04:01 AM

Humm. Looks good. I need to look at the pics when I get home on my desk top cause I can't tell what's what on this stinkin phone

04-13-2009, 11:26 PM	#1
COACHMEASON Keep On Keepin' On Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 416	Air regulator question... Well, I call it the air regulator...Its the box with the flap on the inside...My flap is broke and the only thing holding it together is the rubber seal on the flap...Question...Will the flap come out? Is their a fix for the flap while its still inside the box? Ideas? Thanks Clint __________________ 07 Avalanche Z71 92 Mustang 5.0 GT (Triple White w/ 53,000 miles) 72 SWB Chevy w/ PS, AC, 350/350 Current Project ....In paint shop getting body/paint work done (Corvette Velocity Yellow)... http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=157669

04-14-2009, 02:25 AM	#2
Papa Smurf Active Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ben Wheeler, TX Posts: 119	Re: Air regulator question... This is a bad weak point in the a/c system. I got tired of paying the big bucks for new boxes, or putting in used ones knowing they would eventually do the same thing, so I came up with a way to fix it without taking the whole thing apart. I have repaired several and they work great. Not factory and not perfect, but it works better than the original. Somebody may have a good fix, if not, I'll try to take some pix and explain mine. Papa Smurf __________________ 72 Sierra Grande 2500 BB 72 Sierra 2500, 42K miles, factory buckets 72 Cheyenne 20 72 Chevy SWB, Factory BB, Leaf Spring

04-14-2009, 05:36 AM	#3
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Re: Air regulator question... A piece of sheet metal riveted to the door and welded to the shaft has worked pretty well on my diverter box. Welding is a little tricky but it can be done. Jim __________________ 1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC

04-14-2009, 07:29 AM	#4
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,772	Re: Air regulator question... - I am in the process of doing this repair myself. I haven't found any replacement doors, just the whole assembly (for 90 bucks). I was thinking about getting a piece of sheet brass and making a repair piece that could be epoxied to the original door and use the original gasket if it is in decent shape. I haven't been close to a store that has the sheet brass yet. That's the problem with living out in the boonies... LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

04-14-2009, 12:56 PM	#5
Papa Smurf Active Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ben Wheeler, TX Posts: 119	Re: Air regulator question... O.K. Here is a quick and simple repair that works great. Takes about 15 minutes and should last forever. I start with a Simpson wall tie(because I am a carpenter and happened to have some). Any piece of thin bendable metal about 1" wide and 9" long will work. About 3 1/4 inch from one end bend around a 3/8" bolt to make a radius. Then at 3/4" from the radius, bend it to about 30 degrees. Now take your diverter and with a dremel, or other suitable tool, cut away some of the plastic housing next to the rubber. Now slip the bent end of the metal through this slot and check to see that it lays close on both sides of the flapper. If it doesn''t lay perfectly flat, don't worry, it'll pull in. On the long side you'll need to drill one small hole near the end of the metal strip and put a small nut and bolt through the plastic. On the bent end you should be able to put a small bolt through the slots in the plastic and use big enough washers to hold it there. Tighten it all up and you're done. Works great. And saves lots of $$$$$!!!!! Papa Smurf __________________ 72 Sierra Grande 2500 BB 72 Sierra 2500, 42K miles, factory buckets 72 Cheyenne 20 72 Chevy SWB, Factory BB, Leaf Spring Last edited by Papa Smurf; 03-04-2016 at 07:54 AM.

12-17-2010, 03:05 PM	#6
alsohim Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 20	Re: Air regulator question... Tks for the pics. I tore it down and the flap was stuck(flap Rod) and now it works perfect. On the back where the cable attaches to the flap there is a switch. What does that push switch control? I think it triggers the a/c compressor but I'm not sure. Again thanks for the tech. Kaleb

12-17-2010, 08:04 PM	#7
Papa Smurf Active Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ben Wheeler, TX Posts: 119	Re: Air regulator question... A/C compressor - correct. Glad you got it done. __________________ 72 Sierra Grande 2500 BB 72 Sierra 2500, 42K miles, factory buckets 72 Cheyenne 20 72 Chevy SWB, Factory BB, Leaf Spring

03-04-2016, 07:54 AM	#8
Papa Smurf Active Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Ben Wheeler, TX Posts: 119	Re: Air regulator question... ttt __________________ 72 Sierra Grande 2500 BB 72 Sierra 2500, 42K miles, factory buckets 72 Cheyenne 20 72 Chevy SWB, Factory BB, Leaf Spring

03-05-2016, 04:01 AM	#9
hdff Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: pasadena,TEXAS Posts: 880	Re: Air regulator question... Humm. Looks good. I need to look at the pics when I get home on my desk top cause I can't tell what's what on this stinkin phone __________________ 1971 Cheyenne SWB 402BB, 700R4, 3.73 posi, PS, PB, A/C, Tilt, Tach "Wanda" Don't argue with idiots, People watching may not be able to tell the difference... There's someone in my head........But it's not me...... cheap tricks thread great info here!! http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=489394



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.