Cable from top lever should pass through the firewall and connect to a water control valve on the pass side inner fender, back near the battery. The other two cables are connected to the lower lever. Moving lower lever from far left to center (heat) moves the cable that opens the air door to let fresh air in. Moving this lever to far right moves the cable that controls the defrost door. The mechanism is a bit tricky untill you look at it for a while. The two levels for the lower lever (see Julie's picture, notice no cable on switch) is the key.

 

3414,

That makes perfect sense. It looks like whoever retrofitted my truck in the past just hooked up cables to wherever they felt it worked best.

I'm missing the water valve you mentioned. I have no idea what that looks like. Does anyone sell that in the aftermarket? I can picture how that controls the temperature by limiting water flow much unlike modern setups that simply blend cold air and hot air.

Nick

 

Ford used the same or similar valve for years.
Your local auto parts should be able to come up with it.

 

The correct,under hood water valve for the Magic Air heater, is apparently being reproduced,check the various vendor catalogs.Ten years ago,they weren't being reproduced,and I paid through the nose to buy the broken one I needed at the time,plus an extra for my stash of spares.I'd always prefer an NOS part over a questionable quality reproduction,but the re-popped ones appear identical in the photos I've seen of them.If I recall correctly,the re-pops are still over 60.00, perhaps more.My guess is that an NOS one would be comparable in price.

Genuine Ford,Nos : Valve Assembly,Hot Water Heater Shut -Off Fits all 57-60 F-Series w/fresh air heater B8C-18495-A. The Lincoln/Mercury Old Parts Store,in Clearwater Florida, has 8 of them :

http://www.lincolnoldparts.com/

 

Echo Echo Echo! LOL

Here's the valve at Sacramento Vintage Ford. there are a nuber of less expensive "Off th eshelf" alternatives. Ross, (AlbuqF1) is pretty well schooled in those - you can send him a note if he doesn't come on.

http://www.vintageford.com/sect_sear...y=Heater-Parts




08299-1

HEATER CONTROL VALVE 57-60 & 61-66

Use with fresh air heater, located at front fender apron. Cab be used on earlier trucks, but not original.1957-60 & 1961-66,Page 133.2009PT

PS the link I provided is acting funny and showing no results. Just use the page to navigate to the heater parts.

 

Thanks for the great info. My local parts store had some plastic aftermarket versions that are listed for trucks back to 65.
I really like the one in Julie's post though. I'll probably go in that direction. Sacramento has some other stuff I've been eyeing up so might as well order from them.
Thanks again,

Nick

 

Here's an NOS,genuine Ford one for sale now on EBay:

1958 FORD TRUCK NOS HEATER CONTROL VALVE - eBay (item 150531453123 end time Dec-13-10 16:14:31 PST)

 

Talk ot Ross first. It'll probably save you $50!

 

Thanks Julie. I'll send Ross a message.

Nick

 

Hi all,

Just figured I would update what I'm going to do with the water valve and other possibilities. Someday, someone else with a need will search the forums and hopefully come across this topic.

Four Seasons makes a bunch of different valve in the aftermarket. According to their catalog, 74627 and 74628 are both 5/8" in and out, cable operated, both with no mounting bracket. They both list Ford part number C3UZ-18495-A. The only difference between the two is direction of flow.
74628 also lists Ford part numbers C3UZ-18495-B and C5AZ-18495-B in addition to the previously mentioned C3UZ-18495-A.
Most parts stores have them from $21 bucks to $33.00.

Motorcraft sells one with a mounting bracket. Part number is YG133. Cost is $24 through Rockauto. Ford part numbers shown are C37A-18495-A and C3UZ-19495-A.

Of course, neither of these options would be fit for a purist wanting the factory look. The stock Ford originals are available and I think they look pretty cool as well.

Many thanks to Ross, Julie, and everyone else for the help. I greatly appreciate it!

Nick

 

Well, these valves have come up before and we've talked about them. But for some reason lately, our search function here is even more worthless than it has been in the past. I usually save posts with info like this so I can refere folks next time as well.

That's why I sent you to Ross is because he's got the scoop on the valves.

So, thanks for the updated info

BTW, I was looking around and it just so happens that the Magic Air section in the 52 Ford Auto Shop Manual I have, shows a heater control identical in function to yours although a little more "ornate" wrt labels. It has a n adjustment procedure in it for the cables so if you need that, let me know. Here's a pic of that ccontrol: