HVAC issues

whew, where to start.
1st the heat as I have just fixed my heat issues. The heat inside the car will definitely not be as warm with bare metal above your head and cold air blowing in all over the place. but you can get it working to it's fullest potential.
1. check the hose to the heater core for a valve. The valve may be partially open or be restricting flow.
2. you said you manually set the a/c doors for heat, check to see if the outside vent is open. (that heater core isn't going to get very hot with 20* air blowing past it) and set it to pull air from inside the car not the vent.
3. pull the heater hoses to the heater core and blow it out (make sure it's not clogged up)
4. *optional* if you have a food thermometer, check the temp at the radiator and then the temp at the hoses at the heater core. should be almost identical. you can also check to see that your thermostat is functioning properly. Mine opens at 180 almost on the nose for my slant 6.

sidebar - most people like to fix a hot running car by changing to a colder thermostat or by removing it altogether (not recommended)


ok on to the next topic.
If the compressor is in question, rebuild it, unless you want to pay to have the system retro-fitted, vacuumed, and charged only to have to pay to have it redone when the compressor locks up and spits the belt.. if the system was working before and just lost pressure, take it to a shop and have them test for leaks. (take it to one of those "free A/C test" places and have them tell you where the leak is.)

As for the vacuum diagrams... find a factory service manual or a junk yard to go looking. but someone around here is sure to have pictures or diagrams. All of the screws for the bezel are on the back, real fun to take out. but again find a local junk yard and look for a 73-76 a-body it will most likely still have the bezel unless someone was really determined to get it.

oh and welcome to FABO! :salut: