lenh

hey i have a 85 that i need to replace the heater control valve and heater core i have checked several manuals and found nothing if someone could help i would be very grateful also can someone give me a source for these parts thanks

Kamy

I just pulled a heater core and two control valves at a local bone yard. Victoria British lists the heater valve for $80 and the core for $90. I saw somewhere else on the forum that you can get a core that fits at NAPA that will only set you back around $40. I'm not sure about the valve though, I think it's a rare item.

I'm still in the middle of pulling out the old core and valve on the '81 and I'm not sure I'm gonna get to test either of the valves I got before I leave this week. (I'll be back at the beginning of June). I'll let you know when I'm back, and if either of the valves I've got are any good.

Karl

tempusfugitive

yeah VB and mazda seem to be the only company that sells the valves, i've tried napa without any luck. not to be rude or anything, but are you sure the heater core is toasted? i thought mine was, untill i pulled it apart, and found that all of the rubber->copper pipe connections were leaking.

Kamy

Actually, I think my heater core is good, I haven't pulled it yet, but the dash and frame are already out so I may as well pull it and inspect it. I am sure my valve is toast (which also requires the heater core to be pulled) as I can see where it is leaking. When it goeas back together all the hoses will be new.

I only grabbed the extra heater core because it came with the valve on it and the price was close to that of the valve itself.

on a side note, got a sweet tinted windshield and a uncracked/unblemeshed black dash out of the same car two weeks ago. unfortunately, the rest of the vehicle is pretty well toast.

lenh

ok not to sound dumb but who is vb and im not sure which is leaking but both are over 20 years old and i dont want to have to pull dash again

Kamy

VB is Victoria British, http://www.victoriabritish.com/

if it is the core or valve, or even the rubber hoses connecting the whole mess the core needs to come out for access, at least that's the only way I was able to reach all the hose clamps.

There were a couple of posts I found which stated they got their core out without pulling the dash, but man, I don't know how... even so it required pulling the glovebox, a/c box, etc...

Actually, in the last 3 weeks I have pulled three dashes and it isn't so bad once you get the hang of it However, I haven't had to replace any of them yet either!

tempusfugitive

when i pulled mine, i left the sub frame attached, except for the bolts on the far right side, and the bolts attaching it to the floor, even then it was still took me about 2 days of constant work to pull it, and reinstall it

Kamy

well, four more 10mm nuts and two 12mm nut's (on the steering column) would have made it a lot easier to get out and been faster in the long run, imho that is. Of course, I still have to get it all back together I hope I remember how it all goes back in two weeks when I return