I have a 1953 F100 with the original fire wall mounted heater valve control, it leaks and I would like to replace it. Is there anyone that makes or carries one. I see Mid Fifty says that is no longer available. The truck is all original and would like to keep it that way. I would post a picture of the valve if I can.

 

Welcome to FTE. I don't have an answer for you since my 54 has the recirculating heater which doesn't have the temp control valve. But someone here will be all g to help you.

But before we offer you any help, you must post some pics of your stock 53! Just kidding but pictures will be really appreciated!

 

The mirrors have been changed back to a stock type.





The Heater valve on the firewall.

 

Thanks for the pictures. Nice stock truck.

What are your plans for it? How long have you had it? Tell us more about it and where you are from.

 

Mine leaked,too. I took it apart carefully so as not to booger up the brass valve stem too badly. It needed a good cleaning...there was 50 years of grunk in it that was affecting how well the seal was working.(Ancient radiator stop-leak?) The seal has a rubber collar on it that wraps the brass stem. That seal has a circumferential spring that keeps it tight around the stem. I could not restore all the little splines on the stem, so I welded in some metal in the steel lever hole and filed it with a flat face on one side. I then reshaped the stem so it had a "D" shaped cross section that matched the new hole in the lever. I greased it with high temp brake grease so the hot water wouldn't wash away the lubricant. At reassembly, I used a punch to spread the brass stem at the top, so that it was locked in place the same way that he it was out of the factory. It would have been a lot easier to buy a replacement. I saw one on Ebay a few days ago. I saw that it was listed as OEM, but it had a screw that held the lever to the stem, and so, not exactly like what I have on my truck.

 

I have taken it apart and cleaned and polished it but it still leaks out of the top around the stem.