I'm trying to restore my heater controls (were defunct when I bought my '73 W100) and am wondering where I can get new cables (the ones that go to the heater unit and the water valve).
I'm probably going to need to disassemble and clean all the ductwork, too--as the odor emanating from the defroster attests, a mouse evidently took up residence somewhere in the heating system. I think she's long gone now (I remember cleaning out a nest in the heater assembly unit under the dash last year--and once when I was driving I saw a mouse scurrying around the floor of the cab!)--haven't seen any signs of life lately.
Maybe she died in one of the ducts--man, it sure has that mousy smell. Probably just a bunch of old urine and turds. Yum...
Dodgevanman
01-04-2007, 07:09 AM
Man unless you can find NOS, I don't think anyone is reproducing those. You can try this place. www.imperialservices.net This guy can make new cables from you old ones.
Megunticook
01-04-2007, 12:43 PM
Thanks for the tip. Looks like I have the one to the control valve, although it's rusted to hell. May need the one to the heating unit in the cab., though.
bherder
01-04-2007, 03:33 PM
If I remember correctly, both those cables are a solid wire cable (I know the one for the heater valve is for sure)...
You can make your own cables pretty easy... You know those aftermarket kinda manual choke cables? Where it's a spring type of casing with a nice solid wire cable running through it? I think you can still buy these at about up to 72" long.... (Motormite/HELP!/Dorman)
Anyway, get yourself one of those and cut the casing to what ever length you need. And the loops on the cable you can make by wrapping the wire/cable around a pair of needle-nose pliers and then cut the hunk off thats left in the middle...
There ya go, instant cable :D
So far as the mouse-stink.... Lot's of white vinegar when you get the ducting taken apart... Of course you'll have to smell that for a while ;)
Megunticook
01-04-2007, 09:48 PM
Good call on the cable--I have a manual choke in my rig with a cable just like that which I've replaced before, so I know exactly what you're talking about. I guess I thought maybe there was some special attachment on the heater cable, but as you say I'm sure I can figure something out.
White vinegar is a good idea for the mouse odor. BTW, I snuck out of my office for a quick break today and tried pulling the driver-side defroster duct out--slipped right off the heater assembly, but didn't seem to want to come out at the other end. Is there some sort of fastener holding it in?
77Utiline
01-05-2007, 06:04 AM
You know those aftermarket kinda manual choke cables? Where it's a spring type of casing with a nice solid wire cable running through it? I think you can still buy these at about up to 72" long.... (Motormite/HELP!/Dorman)
Actually you can get those cables up to 9' long if you get the "truck" choke cables or if you get the "car" cables I think they're like 36".
