1972 AC/Heater Control Lever Change Out - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jlampka · 03-04-2021, 01:11 PM

Has anyone replaced a broken lever on their AC/Heater control? I see the truck shop sells 3 levers for about $16. How easy/difficult is it? It looks like there are 2 pins that hold the stack together.
It looks like the 2 outside pins are peened that holds the levers in place. Does anyone sell these pins?

Any help is appreciated.

MAC71Cheyenne · 03-04-2021, 03:24 PM

The most difficult part is removing the head from the dash. If I recall correctly you can just turtle up under there and pop off the levers from the cable ends and pull them out, then replace them. Good light n patience come in handy. Tag in n correct me if not guys....

**MDPotter** · 03-04-2021, 04:04 PM

Replacing the levers is easy once you have the panel out. To take the panel out of the dash it should just be two screws through the bottom of the dash into the panel. Disconnecting the cables can be a pain though.

**LockDoc** · 03-04-2021, 07:17 PM

-
I posted this thread on removing the retainer clips from the cable ends.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=211815

LockDoc

Peanut74 · 11-02-2021, 10:14 PM

Glad I found this thread as I now know where I can get new heater control arms. I got the assembly apart but to do it I had to drill off the swaged end that hold the lever stack together. My question is when I go to reassemble it what did you use to keep the end support on?

**LockDoc** · 11-02-2021, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peanut74

Glad I found this thread as I now know where I can get new heater control arms. I got the assembly apart but to do it I had to drill off the swaged end that hold the lever stack together. My question is when I go to reassemble it what did you use to keep the end support on?

Go to the hardware store and take the pin with you. See if they have a longer pin and the same style of clips that hold the cables to the levers but the correct size for the pin.

LockDoc

**truckster** · 11-02-2021, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peanut74

Glad I found this thread as I now know where I can get new heater control arms. I got the assembly apart but to do it I had to drill off the swaged end that hold the lever stack together. My question is when I go to reassemble it what did you use to keep the end support on?

I used very small screws - I think they were #4, but it's been a while. The trickiest part is drilling into the posts - you have to make sure you're lined up square with the holes.

Peanut74 · 11-04-2021, 08:30 AM

Thanks trickster. Wasn't sure if I should try and drill and pin the posts or tap them and use a screw. The ac lever must be the weak link. I have two control assemblies and the same arm is broke on both. I thought about using epoxy to glue it back together. Then reinforce it with some small steel straps.

I am converting over to the Vintage air electronic controller. Since you cut off the one tab on the center arm it should not snap again.

**truckster** · 11-04-2021, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peanut74

Thanks trickster. Wasn't sure if I should try and drill and pin the posts or tap them and use a screw. The ac lever must be the weak link. I have two control assemblies and the same arm is broke on both. I thought about using epoxy to glue it back together. Then reinforce it with some small steel straps.

I am converting over to the Vintage air electronic controller. Since you cut off the one tab on the center arm it should not snap again.

One of the assemblies I pulled out had been sort-of repaired with a hose clamp. It didn't work very well.

**70STOVEBOLT** · 11-04-2021, 07:48 PM

Try lubing the cables, the original levers are pot metal and cannot take too much force before breaking. One of the parts vendors (maybe several) sell steel levers.

purple gas · 11-04-2021, 10:49 PM

There's a youtube video from Brothers that shows a rebuild of the heater controls. It's worth the time to watch.
If controls aren't working smooth cables are usually a big part of the problem, they get old and seize up.

03-04-2021, 01:11 PM	#1
jlampka Registered User Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: North Tonawanda, NY Posts: 236	1972 AC/Heater Control Lever Change Out Has anyone replaced a broken lever on their AC/Heater control? I see the truck shop sells 3 levers for about $16. How easy/difficult is it? It looks like there are 2 pins that hold the stack together. It looks like the 2 outside pins are peened that holds the levers in place. Does anyone sell these pins? Any help is appreciated. Attached Images Last edited by jlampka; 03-05-2021 at 09:49 PM.

03-04-2021, 03:24 PM	#2
MAC71Cheyenne Registered User Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Mount Pleasant Iowa Posts: 303	Re: 1972 AC/Heater Control Lever Change Out The most difficult part is removing the head from the dash. If I recall correctly you can just turtle up under there and pop off the levers from the cable ends and pull them out, then replace them. Good light n patience come in handy. Tag in n correct me if not guys....

03-04-2021, 04:04 PM	#3
MDPotter Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Western Colorado Posts: 1,165	Re: 1972 AC/Heater Control Lever Change Out Replacing the levers is easy once you have the panel out. To take the panel out of the dash it should just be two screws through the bottom of the dash into the panel. Disconnecting the cables can be a pain though. __________________ 1964 Chevy C10 - Gen IV 5.3 Restomod http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=768632 1968 GMC C15 - Gen III 6.0 Restomod http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=772047 1969 Chevy C10 - Restoration http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=809184 1978 Chevy Scottsdale K20 1993 Chevy C1500 - 5.3/T56 swapped 2008 Silverado Duramax

11-02-2021, 10:14 PM	#5
Peanut74 Registered User Join Date: May 2018 Location: Prattville, AL Posts: 590	Re: 1972 AC/Heater Control Lever Change Out Glad I found this thread as I now know where I can get new heater control arms. I got the assembly apart but to do it I had to drill off the swaged end that hold the lever stack together. My question is when I go to reassemble it what did you use to keep the end support on? __________________ -------------------------------------------------------- 1967 C10 "Snowball" (Currently in a million pieces down from a bazillion) 1989 Toyota DLX pickup "The Hulk" 2012 Jeep JKU "Crush" 1976 Chevy short bed with a 327 and 3 on the tree (Sold it to buy the Blazer) 1971 Chevy Blazer (Sold it)

11-04-2021, 08:30 AM	#8
Peanut74 Registered User Join Date: May 2018 Location: Prattville, AL Posts: 590	Re: 1972 AC/Heater Control Lever Change Out Thanks trickster. Wasn't sure if I should try and drill and pin the posts or tap them and use a screw. The ac lever must be the weak link. I have two control assemblies and the same arm is broke on both. I thought about using epoxy to glue it back together. Then reinforce it with some small steel straps. I am converting over to the Vintage air electronic controller. Since you cut off the one tab on the center arm it should not snap again. __________________ -------------------------------------------------------- 1967 C10 "Snowball" (Currently in a million pieces down from a bazillion) 1989 Toyota DLX pickup "The Hulk" 2012 Jeep JKU "Crush" 1976 Chevy short bed with a 327 and 3 on the tree (Sold it to buy the Blazer) 1971 Chevy Blazer (Sold it)

03-04-2021, 07:17 PM	#4
LockDoc The Older Generation Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Montezuma, Iowa Posts: 25,327	Re: 1972 AC/Heater Control Lever Change Out - I posted this thread on removing the retainer clips from the cable ends. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=211815 LockDoc __________________ Leon Locksmith, Specializing In Antique Trucks, Automobiles, & Motorcycles (My Dually Pickup Project Thread) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=829820 -

11-04-2021, 07:48 PM	#10
70STOVEBOLT Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Winona Lake, IN Posts: 6,210	Re: 1972 AC/Heater Control Lever Change Out Try lubing the cables, the original levers are pot metal and cannot take too much force before breaking. One of the parts vendors (maybe several) sell steel levers. __________________ 70 C/10 SWB 402/TH400/3.73 "The Needy Beast" 200,000 Mile Club Disc Brake Club Owner installed options: Front Sway Bar Power Steering Power Brakes Cigar Lighter Courtesy Lights Deluxe Side Markers Wiper Delay Power windows Power Locks Coming soon: EFI 2015 Silverado 1500 LS 4.3/6L80/3.23

11-04-2021, 10:49 PM	#11
purple gas Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: saskatoon, planet earth Posts: 680	Re: 1972 AC/Heater Control Lever Change Out There's a youtube video from Brothers that shows a rebuild of the heater controls. It's worth the time to watch. If controls aren't working smooth cables are usually a big part of the problem, they get old and seize up. __________________ I got a bench seat baby, you don't have to sit over there.



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.