1966 thrift air switch

[sl66]

Good morning fellow enthusiasts, new to the site so i apologize if this is an already answered question, having trouble finding an exact replacement thrift air heater switch/cable for a 1966 c-10, ordered one from classic industries that stated exact but was not, the problem is they all need to have wiring modified to work, does anyone know where or if an exact replacement can be found i hate to have to start cutting up my factory wiring to adapt to this ,
Thanks in advance

[Llay R. Rac]

Good morning, welcome to the site.
i bought the same switch/cable,instead of cutting my original wiring i made short jumper wires from the original plug to the new switch. I am going to try and disassemble and repair my original switch some time in the future

[sl66]

Thanks Llay, good Idea, i was so caught up in not getting an exact replacement i didn't even think about alternate ways to modify it, waiting to hear back from LMC on theirs but i assume they are all the same manufacture

[jeff_wilson70]

I am getting ready to replace my whole setup with aftermarket AC and a complete new wiring harness. PM me and If you pick up shipping, I will be happy to send you the wires, switch and cable that I was getting ready to throw away.

My heater hoses aren't hooked up, but the cable still works to open the vent and the heater kicks on when the switch is turned, so it all works.

[sl66]

Thanks Jeff,
yes i can do that, however i am not sure how to PM so will need your help on that

[rvrfoot]

Just click on his name it will pop up. Then click on it and then you can send him a message.

[jeff_wilson70]

Got it out of the truck. I was pleasantly surprised that even though the heater components under the hood were shot, the whole switch and wiring stuff was in really great shape. The PO got paint all over all the knobs on the dash. I was able to get that off of the knob and the bezel. The cable moves freely. I was also able to pull both wiring harnesses off. The one that goes to the resistor on the back of the inside unit (which I will also send Its in the pics below) including the orange wire that goes thru the grommet on the firewall and connects to the fan housing....and the brown wire that goes from the switch to the blade on the side of the fuse panel.

Since dealing with paypal and all that is a real pain (to cover shipping), lets just do this....Make a donation to the wounded warrior project, PM me your address and I'll get all this stuff shipped out tomorrow or Wednesday.

[66 GMC 351E]

Can anyone tell me how to remove the thrift air switch? Is there a special tool required. I've removed the knob but I can't turn the "nut" that holds the cable in. Dash is painted and I don't want to scratch it.

[Llay R. Rac]

I use a screw driver in the left slot (pointed downwards) and tap it with a hammer counter-clockwise.
i think a spanner wrench would work
also.

[66 GMC 351E]

Yeah, I tried the screwdriver and hammer. When it didn't come loose with light taps, I started having visions of the screwdriver slipping off and signing my dash! I also didn't want to chew up the part. Thought maybe I was missing something or there was a trick to it. I'll give it another go. Thanks for responding.

[Llay R. Rac]

i think the correct tool would be a spanner wrench, of the proper size. maybe you could rig up something like that.
you could cover your dash with tape or cardboard to protect it from scratching if you slip.

good luck.

[Arne]

Sometimes you can get them loose with a good pair of sturdy snap-ring pliers, or even needle-nose. But you need pliers that don't flex when twisting them sideways like that.

[Llay R. Rac]

the first time i needed to remove my heater switch it was in the morning and i could not get the nut to turn. i tried again in the afternoon when the sun was shining/warming my dash and the nut came loose. try that or maybe a little heat gun action, i put some anti seize grease on the nut/threads when i reassembled.