I was researching the A/C forum for help replacing my system (was successful despite me trying shortcuts) I read something about a valve to shut of flow of coolant thru the heating system. I don't have a valve of any sort. Would it be beneficial to install one? If so what type of valve is recommended?

Thanks

 

no, you do not have one and do not need one.

 

Is your heater core leaking? You can buy fittings to bypass your heater core. Just connect the heater hoses together in the engine compartment, but if it is not leaking, you really don't need to disconnect.

 

No leaking, I just don't need heat very much in TX and was thinking if there were no flow through the core, it would reduce the heat in the cab. I did feel around the heater core enclosure and There wasn't much heat radiating so I'm not sure it would make that much difference.

 

you can bypass it by making a loop with one heater core hose.

sometimes this can cause the heater core to rust and cause leaks when it is used again.

 

Many years ago I had a F150 that has the valve you are describing. Can't remember what year it was. Might have been a '70. The valve was in the water line to the heater, and was controlled by a cable that ran back to the heat control lever on the dash. Worked well and was very simple.
I purchased a new valve and a universal cable control to control the heat in a 80's era LTD when the original control broke. Was easier to install the valve than disassemble the dash and try to repair the factory contol.

 

I've got an '87 F-150 and I installed such a valve. It cut back on the radiant heat in the box behind the glove compartment and reduced my AC temp by about 5 degrees. I got the valve from O'Reilly's for about $15. I haven't connected the cable to it yet, so I have to manually operate the valve from under the hood. I live in OK, so I understand your not needing the heater too often.

 

The Valves are vacuum controlled and are still used on Fords that need extra cabin cooling. They are used on Vans and other cars that have big cabin area. Just had to replace one on a 1988 E150. They do allow much colder air to come out of the vents.

With the Valve you can still turn on the heater and roll down the windows in the summer if you are over heating and if you by-pass the heater you can not do this.

 

The one I bought is not vacuum controlled, but it does have a connection on the on/off lever which would take a throttle cable to run into the cab.

 

How nice to see this thread! The other day I selected vent and turned the fan on high to get the max vent...and nearly cooked myself out. I've spent a few days trying to find the darned heater core control valve to see why it was stuck open! Who'd 'ave thought those clever Ford engineers would have just left it out? ha!

 

The 70's trucks came with them if you had a/c. I put one on my 95 F-150 and it does help. Mine's vacuum actuated and tee'd into the white vacuum line for the recirculation door located where the heater hoses go into the cab. This line has vacuum only on the "max a/c" and "off" positions, so it's perfect for this. My max a/c is noticably colder, and if I want to use a/c but not full cold, I use normal a/c.

 

Would you have a part nuber for the valve, or a specific model truck and year? Might add one to my '90 and see if it helps the AC cool better.

 

The 1988 E150 5.0 had a vacuum controlled Heater Valve you can use on your Truck.
I am sure there are others Fords as the listing at the Auto Parts store said fit Fords up into the 90's for the Valve I got. They said there is only one Valve they stock for all of the Vacuum controlled Fords.

 

Thanks for the info and the quick reply.
Frank

 

I've seen two types. Old Fords have one in just one of the heater hoses that blocks the flow. Newer ones have both hoses going through this valve, which just reroutes the coolant when vacuum is applied. I asked for one for a mid-90's Ranger.