Hi, folks

Tinkering with the truck, a '78 F250 SC 4x4 with a driver's side spotlight. I removed the instrument cluster and bezel, and lo and behold there's an a/c hose behind the bezel, blowing wild inside the dash because the bezel has no vent on the left. Solid panel where vent would be, looks factory. Truck has two center vents and passenger side vent. Was this done because of the spotlight? Did a po swap the bezel?

I guess my main question would be this: would the left vent blowing on the spotlight handle cause a problem, say, with condensation? Wondering if I want to replace the bezel with one that has a vent, when I get around to fixing the a/c.

Thanks!

 

I would replace the bezel. Sounds like someone replaced the original with the wrong one.
I can't think of any reason why the A/C vent would affect the spotlight.

 

The evaporator helps to dehumidify the cab, so condensation from the a/c should not be an issue.

 

Spotlight has nothing to do with it. Two center registers, which type of A/C does the truck have?

Left: Factory installed integral A/C that is combined with the heater.

Right: Dealer installed Economy A/C, not combined with the heater.

 

Thanks for the replies.

mikeoOoOoO - I think you may be right. After all, the mice had to have somewhere to live, that long duct seems perfect! ugh......now I have to remove everything and clean out the Hantavirus.....phew.....

Jklnhyd - makes sense, that's why the compressor comes on with the windshield defrost..

NumberDummy - factory, I presume, as the a/c and heater controls are integrated.

Can't post pictures yet.

Ducts will be replaced. I've seen the numerous threads about them, so will try to source some.

This all started from the fuel gauge and left turn indicator stopping working, so after perusing this totally cool forum for info I had intended just to clean the contacts on the circuit "board" on back of the instrument cluster (I can't say enough good things about the product DeoxIt), check grounds, etc. I pulled it apart, saw filth, removed the cluster, and when I turned it upside-down, discovered that mice had been using the two gaps between the three sections of the cluster as a loo. Now I have to remove everything and thoroughly clean. Pandora's bathroom, as it were. Murphy rears his ugly head, one thing leads to another, all of those old chestnuts!! lol Glad it's not a daily driver! I WILL be wearing a respirator!

As big a mess as this truck is, I'm still slowly falling in love with it. Clean, safe, dependable first, maybe in a few years a frame-off restoration.....I can dream.

Thanks again, all. You are very patient with us newbs, it's greatly appreciated.

 

1975/79 F100/350; 1975/80 Econoline; 1978/79 Bronco:

The instrument panel cluster back was made from a composition material that can TURN TO DUST before your very eyes!

1981: FoMoCo came out with hard plastic cluster backs for Econolines, these were also the "service part replacements" for the POS composition cluster backs.

Some of the POS were replaced under warranty, some by customer pay, but some were never replaced.

E1PZ-10848-A .. Hard Plastic Cluster Back-Use with Oil/Amp GAUGES / Obsolete - Available from Carpenter / 1975/79 F100/350 - 1975/91 Econoline - 1978/79 Bronco.

E1PZ-10848-B .. Hard Plastic Cluster Back-Use with Oil/Amp WARNING LAMPS / Obsolete - Available from Carpenter / 1975/79 F100/350 - 1975-86 Econoline - 1978/79 Bronco.

 

This one is hard plastic. White with small brown spots, but they're being cleaned off!

It did clean up well and appears to be in good shape.