1968 AC equipped confusion

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Neal Zimmerman

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Did 1968 Barracudas with factory air use some kind of a heater valve mounted underhood somewhere? I seem to recall something like that rolling around in the trunk when I got the car. But it was a solid chunk of rust so I just tossed it out.
My car was a factory AC car, but all the underhood stuff was MIA by the time I got the car.
The AC heater box was so trashed that I just threw it out (broken, warped, and melted).
I have no desire to restore the AC to the car, but I seem to be stuck with using the AC heater box just to have heat unless I want to track down a 68 heat only dash bezel and controls.
But now, by a fluke, I found 2 correct AC/heat boxes at a garage sale of all places! Between the two, I can make up one nice box and have some heat in the car at last. And all for just 25 bucks!
But I am wondering about that heater valve? I have searched online for 1968 cuda AC equipped engine compartments and don't see one in the pics, but I am wondering as I found a " 1968 Barracuda heater valve " listed on ebay,
 
In similar situation with our 67 cuda. I have gone without any of the underhood components, bulky and in the way. And used all the underdash stuff. I have heat and defrost. That valve you're talking about i believe is mounted underhood on pass side inner fender by the firewall. Skip it.
 
Did 1968 Barracudas with factory air use some kind of a heater valve mounted underhood somewhere? I seem to recall something like that rolling around in the trunk when I got the car. But it was a solid chunk of rust so I just tossed it out.
My car was a factory AC car, but all the underhood stuff was MIA by the time I got the car.
The AC heater box was so trashed that I just threw it out (broken, warped, and melted).
I have no desire to restore the AC to the car, but I seem to be stuck with using the AC heater box just to have heat unless I want to track down a 68 heat only dash bezel and controls.
But now, by a fluke, I found 2 correct AC/heat boxes at a garage sale of all places! Between the two, I can make up one nice box and have some heat in the car at last. And all for just 25 bucks!
But I am wondering about that heater valve? I have searched online for 1968 cuda AC equipped engine compartments and don't see one in the pics, but I am wondering as I found a " 1968 Barracuda heater valve " listed on ebay,
About all cars use a valve in the engine coolant line running to the heater core in the under dash box to modulate coolant flow to the heater core to raise or lower heater temperature output.
The valve in the coolant line of my non ac 68 Barracuda is cable controlled.
I probably still have it around here somewhere. I will look around.
More modern valves have a vacuum line attachment to completely close the valve to stop all coolant flow when the Max AC button is pushed.
 
You can see 3 holes up on inner fender.

20180702_201903.jpg
 
Just guessing that for "that sort of thing" the Valiant stuff would be the same. You can download parts manuals and factory service manuals from MyMopar for free
 
OK, so yes, as I recall that valve I found in my trunk looked like it had a cable arm on it. So does one of the cables from my dash controls unit go to that?
And if I don't use this valve does that mean I will always have heat under my dash? Not too bad in the winter but not so good in summer.
 
A '68 cuda W/O AC uses no heater control valve. The water continuously circulates. There is an inner door that opens up to allow heat to enter the car. A '68 cuda W/AC uses a control valve.
 
Non A/C cars , my Dart anyway, do not have a water valve. The core has heat all the time, a diverter channels the hot air in or. out. The A/C cars have vacuum pods that operate the water temp, and most of the controls, for both the A/C and heater boxes.
 
There are very cheap replacements for the original valve that work the same but don’t look the same. Search on here for heater valve threads.

I don’t think you need it if you are not using the ac part. You can always install a manual one if you need it.
 
Here's a few pics to show you how it's mounted and a couple details.

IMG_20220803_215615295.jpg
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IMG_20220803_215558250.jpg


IMG_20220803_215517901.jpg
 
Part number might help you in your search. I got an aftermarket one several years ago for a reasonable price, but they seem to have dried up for now. If you put part number 2607603 in an Ebay search, you'll get a notification when one comes available. Finding aftermarket equivalent part numbers will help, of course.

IMG_20220803_214806875.jpg
 
One reason right there why parts manuals are so valuable.
Part number might help you in your search. I got an aftermarket one several years ago for a reasonable price, but they seem to have dried up for now. If you put part number 2607603 in an Ebay search, you'll get a notification when one comes available. Finding aftermarket equivalent part numbers will help, of course.

View attachment 1715965306
 
The universal part numbers for the heater valves are:
UAC HV 1021C
UAC HV 1022C
One is open without vacuum, one is closed. I forget which one our cars use.
They are dirt cheap on Amazon.
 
One reason right there why parts manuals are so valuable.
Funny story how I got that manual. My buddy who worked at the dealer parts department let me take it home over the weekend. My then girlfriend, now wife of 38 years, took it to her job at a copy store with one of those monster Xerox machines. It was a lot bigger job than she thought it would be, even with what was then a very advanced machine. She was a little pissed, but got over it. I got my 1968 parts manual and my buddy got rid of me bugging him at work looking up parts for a 14 year old car.
 
So I have 2 from ‘66s. I have one freed up and working. Does it leak? Not that far yet. The second someone grabbed out of Hidden Valley for me and I have not gotten it yet. It is my backup in case this one leaks and I have to try to rebuild it and fail. I may be talked out of one if all goes well over the next few months.
 
Pictures of my '72. Vac and water valve.
That valve on the internet sure looks different. I am down for the count with a very bad case of Shingles. I had Sue go out and take the pictures, no part number around the top of the cannister, guessing it may be under the mounting bracket. You may end up cross matching parts.
My car is 3 years newer but ask if I can help. My A/C system is complete.

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Here's a few pics to show you how it's mounted and a couple details.

Can you take a few measurements of this bracket for me please (red circle)? Width, height extending upward, length thats bolted down to the valve.

And can you see if there is a tab bent down on the corner (green arrow) and inserted into the valve bracket that its bolted to.

Thanks!


IMG_20220803_215505934.jpg
 
Can you take a few measurements of this bracket for me please (red circle)? Width, height extending upward, length thats bolted down to the valve.

And can you see if there is a tab bent down on the corner (green arrow) and inserted into the valve bracket that its bolted to.

Thanks!


View attachment 1715969885

Width of stock = 1"
IMG_20220813_185711558.jpg


Vertical section = 2"
IMG_20220813_185759485.jpg


Continued in next post.
 
Horizontal section = 1.5"
Site wouldn't allow me to post photo, said it was a security problem.

There feels like there is a shallow tab in the slot in the circle. The image is taken looking up.
IMG_20220813_190254153_HDR~2.jpg


The screw hole is .75" from the upper edge of the bracket. The tape is resting on the screw.
IMG_20220813_190517892.jpg
 
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