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Jcat wrote: ↑Sat May 29, 2021 3:39 pm Sorry Mike. Help me with "IIRC". And to be sure I am understanding what you mean by ratcheting wrench... is the is kind of like a box-end wrench that when turned one way it tightens, flip it over and it loosens. click, click, click?

IIRC=If I recall Correctly.

Yes on describing the wrench.

Perfect! Thanks, Mike. I hope you and your family have only been inconvenienced by the pandemic, as has been the case here.

Yep, frustrated by a year in hibernation, but healthy.

Mike W. wrote: ↑Sun May 30, 2021 11:40 am

Jcat wrote: ↑Sat May 29, 2021 3:39 pm Sorry Mike. Help me with "IIRC". And to be sure I am understanding what you mean by ratcheting wrench... is the is kind of like a box-end wrench that when turned one way it tightens, flip it over and it loosens. click, click, click?

IIRC=If I recall Correctly.

Yes on describing the wrench.

Mike, that must have been a really small ratcheting wrench. No way the ones I have would have fit into that space. I could barely get my tiniest box end wrench in to turn those nuts a flat at a time . Very tedious.

maybeillbuyit wrote: ↑Wed Jun 02, 2021 1:09 am
Mike, that must have been a really small ratcheting wrench. No way the ones I have would have fit into that space. I could barely get my tiniest box end wrench in to turn those nuts a flat at a time . Very tedious.

Just a 9MM I bought at a hardware store. About the same thickness as a regular 9MM, although a wider head. And I don't think I could use it all the way, just maybe down to where the locknut part stopped, then I had to resort to an open end. Nor getting it started, which may be the most difficult single part.

Jay - I'm curious how you fared on this. Did you wind up pulling the entire heater box?

My ventilation knob (right side) isn't working. I suspect the problem is at the bellcrank on the firewall side of the box, and that it'll need to come out to access it. Has anyone addressed this? I'm hoping this is a simple repair notwithstanding pulling the heater box, as opposed to a cracked gear or some other unobtainium NLA part quagmire.


I've been putting off a thorough cleaning of the AC evaporator and expansion valve, so this may be the time. I just ordered a refrigerant recovery machine to reuse the freon. My 1990 F150 also has R12 and AC repair is on the winter project list.

Actually... I have yet to tackle this. I'm not entirely certain that I even need to do anything. The leak seems to have stopped. I got sidetracked with why the car was overheating, while prepping my MB 280SL for a MB Concours regional event (took best of show on Saturday). I bought the stinking water valve, but will not likely look into this further until after May. I will say that those large round hvac control knobs, that I believe you are referring to above the radio can get stuck. My middle one for the fan is a real booger, but I just have to break it in. I think it is more local to the knob seating or the cable lube/bind more than anything than down in the box. I would bet a nickel on that. But, whada I know? I need to tear into mine to get to the bottom of that. I doubt seriously that its anything related to the box, tho. I cleaned and serviced all of that several years ago.

Thanks Jay, I think I'll move this to it's own thread.