| heater core flow restrictor alternative? | |
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+7Tomz9C1 V8Killer toomanytoyz Matt Trakker JaySS silverfox103 FUN-9C1 11 posters |
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FUN-9C1
Posts : 146 Join date : 2009-05-09 Location : lakes region, NH
| Subject: heater core flow restrictor alternative? Thu Jun 20, 2013 12:18 pm | |
| So I picked up my new-to-me FWB on Monday (LOVE it!), drove 6 miles, and the heater hose flow restrictor exploded when I punched it in L1 @ ~15mph... It sure went good, though! Chirped the tires pretty good and I was happy until I saw a ton of steam billowing out from behind...
I've had tri-9 B-bodies for 17 years now and never had THAT happen, or even heard of it. But now that I'm looking at it, it looks like a pretty cheezy assembly and I'm surprised it doesn't happen more often. Anyone know of any more robust aftermarket ones available, or how one works and maybe it's possible to make one?
I can't check out my old one as the internals are on the side of the road somewhere... | |
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silverfox103
Posts : 1540 Join date : 2009-01-25 Age : 28 Location : Littleton, NH & St. Simons Island, GA
| Subject: Re: heater core flow restrictor alternative? Thu Jun 20, 2013 12:47 pm | |
| I would just go buy the correct one at a GM dealer. That one lasted 17 years, which is not bad. There are a lot of other components in the cooling system that fail long before that. I always have a spare set of the "T" and the reducer and usually have them with me on long trips.
Tom | |
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JaySS
Posts : 88 Join date : 2009-05-18
| Subject: Re: heater core flow restrictor alternative? Thu Jun 20, 2013 12:48 pm | |
| http://www.ebay.com/itm/BILLET-ALUMINUM-HEATER-WATER-FLOW-CONTROL-VALVE-ASSEMBLY-/300922016611?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4610599363
A little more $, but they won't break.
- J | |
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Matt Trakker
Posts : 5093 Join date : 2009-07-30 Age : 42 Location : Reading, MA
| Subject: Re: heater core flow restrictor alternative? Thu Jun 20, 2013 2:10 pm | |
| - JaySS wrote:
- http://www.ebay.com/itm/BILLET-ALUMINUM-HEATER-WATER-FLOW-CONTROL-VALVE-ASSEMBLY-/300922016611?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4610599363
A little more $, but they won't break.
- J Thanks for that, those things have been in the back of my head as I have to flush my coolant soon in the SS, didn't know you could get one. | |
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toomanytoyz Club President
Posts : 6876 Join date : 2009-01-20 Age : 47 Location : East Hampstead, NH USA
| Subject: Re: heater core flow restrictor alternative? Thu Jun 20, 2013 3:17 pm | |
| A brass 5/8" garden hose repair kit from your favorite hardware store and you're back in business for 5 bucks. | |
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V8Killer
Posts : 1691 Join date : 2009-03-12 Age : 52 Location : Southern, NH
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FUN-9C1
Posts : 146 Join date : 2009-05-09 Location : lakes region, NH
| Subject: Re: heater core flow restrictor alternative? Thu Jun 20, 2013 4:08 pm | |
| So Bill, are you saying the restriction is not necessary? | |
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toomanytoyz Club President
Posts : 6876 Join date : 2009-01-20 Age : 47 Location : East Hampstead, NH USA
| Subject: Re: heater core flow restrictor alternative? Thu Jun 20, 2013 4:51 pm | |
| I've run multiple cars at high rpms with no issues... | |
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Tomz9C1
Posts : 1498 Join date : 2009-01-21 Age : 61 Location : Rumford, Maine
| Subject: Re: heater core flow restrictor alternative? Thu Jun 20, 2013 6:15 pm | |
| Thanks Bill, good to know for a cheap fix. | |
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Matt Trakker
Posts : 5093 Join date : 2009-07-30 Age : 42 Location : Reading, MA
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GasTT
Posts : 2675 Join date : 2009-01-19 Age : 36 Location : Treasure Coast, FL
| Subject: Re: heater core flow restrictor alternative? Thu Jun 20, 2013 7:20 pm | |
| I got that part from Advance Auto. They call it a heater control valve. Cut the metal part off the hose and clamp it in. | |
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FUN-9C1
Posts : 146 Join date : 2009-05-09 Location : lakes region, NH
| Subject: Re: heater core flow restrictor alternative? Thu Jun 20, 2013 9:54 pm | |
| Good point, Tom. If I have to change it every 15 years, I can't bitch I guess. Bill, thanks for the tip on the restrictor delete. I think I'll stick with the restrictor as long as they're available but good to know I can get by on just a section of pipe. Jay, I wonder if that has internals or if it's just a straight through pipe made to look original. I'll write and ask. I got all the hoses off tonight ready to replace with all new ones, then sat in the drivers seat with a beer (or "two") and screwed with all the buttons. Man I love this thing and I can't even drive it yet. I need another one to mod so I can keep this one original.... This is the first used car I ever bought that that I could take apart without a hammer and penetrating oil and a hacksaw. LOL | |
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YachtDriver
Posts : 132 Join date : 2010-02-02 Age : 48 Location : New Hampster
| Subject: Re: heater core flow restrictor alternative? Thu Jun 20, 2013 10:15 pm | |
| I have one of the Billet restrictor's in my Light blue car. It has a slightly smaller diameter inside to restrict the flow. I purchased the first one at the 2011 Wagonfest. It was waiting in my car when the original broke. I have one in the wings for my MAB car when I have the cooling system apart for maintenance. I am not going to wait for it to break. | |
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Matt Trakker
Posts : 5093 Join date : 2009-07-30 Age : 42 Location : Reading, MA
| Subject: Re: heater core flow restrictor alternative? Thu Jun 20, 2013 11:35 pm | |
| - FUN-9C1 wrote:
I got all the hoses off tonight ready to replace with all new ones, then sat in the drivers seat with a beer (or "two") and screwed with all the buttons. Man I love this thing and I can't even drive it yet. I need another one to mod so I can keep this one original.... This is the first used car I ever bought that that I could take apart without a hammer and penetrating oil and a hacksaw. LOL You're making me want one! | |
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MASShole9C1
Posts : 4294 Join date : 2009-12-16
| Subject: Re: heater core flow restrictor alternative? Thu Jun 20, 2013 11:40 pm | |
| Keep it original? PSSSSHHHH. What is this, Barrett Jackson?
You can STILL mod, just keep all the original doo dads that make it original if you wanted to reverse it.
Hell, I've got seats, wheels, bumpers, springs, hood, trunk lid, you name it. Every RPO code I took out, got bagged, labeled, and boxed up. | |
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sdstick
Posts : 4292 Join date : 2009-03-20 Location : Revere, MA
| Subject: Re: heater core flow restrictor alternative? Fri Jun 21, 2013 6:16 am | |
| Just to be clear....there arent any internals...just a smaller diameter to restrict the flow | |
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FUN-9C1
Posts : 146 Join date : 2009-05-09 Location : lakes region, NH
| Subject: Re: heater core flow restrictor alternative? Fri Jun 21, 2013 6:27 am | |
| - sdstick wrote:
- Just to be clear....there arent any internals...just a smaller diameter to restrict the flow
After I pulled over and opened the hood, I grabbed the hose to check it out and a spring and some other piece fell out, but I could never find where it landed. Maybe I'll go back to the scene and take anohter look. I'm sure it's still there if it made it to the ground, or maybe it's still in the engine bay somewhere. I'll try to find it. If it's not from that then I wonder what it's from... ??? It happened so fast, but I am 99% sure it came out of that restrictor. | |
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sdstick
Posts : 4292 Join date : 2009-03-20 Location : Revere, MA
| Subject: Re: heater core flow restrictor alternative? Fri Jun 21, 2013 6:39 am | |
| Now you have me 2nd guessing myself....I thought I knew....
What I CAN tell you is you can run with the non-internaled restrictor alone & be fine (did that for 20-30Kmiles) | |
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toomanytoyz Club President
Posts : 6876 Join date : 2009-01-20 Age : 47 Location : East Hampstead, NH USA
| Subject: Re: heater core flow restrictor alternative? Fri Jun 21, 2013 8:18 am | |
| Glad you got it all figured out... Rob, grab yourself a roadmaster climate control unit. You're gonna HATE the lack of control with the caddy one. You can't choose vent or floor or blend or anything with it. And it's an easy swap. | |
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Tomz9C1
Posts : 1498 Join date : 2009-01-21 Age : 61 Location : Rumford, Maine
| Subject: Re: heater core flow restrictor alternative? Sat Jun 22, 2013 10:39 am | |
| Rob, I have several of the RMS HVAC controls if you need one. PM me . | |
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FUN-9C1
Posts : 146 Join date : 2009-05-09 Location : lakes region, NH
| Subject: Re: heater core flow restrictor alternative? Sat Jun 22, 2013 6:31 pm | |
| Thanks for the offer. I want to keep this one unmolested for now. I still say I need another FWB, flat black with flat black steelies with chrome lug nuts and wide white walls that I can mod the heck out of...
Anyway, I was checking out my new AC Delco restrictor and there is a plate with a smaller hole in it that slides back and forth against spring pressure. I can't imagine why that spring is needed but it must have a purpose. Not to say you wouldn't be fine with just a small hole in a solid unit. | |
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sdstick
Posts : 4292 Join date : 2009-03-20 Location : Revere, MA
| Subject: Re: heater core flow restrictor alternative? Sat Jun 22, 2013 7:05 pm | |
| Must be so when you stomp it...the stress of getting hit with the flow is softened so it doesnt blow up like yours did? I couldnt see anything like that when I looked at the spare I had It was connected to a hose with a metal crimp so...it wasnt coming apart Thanks for confirming thats where the spring came from....I wont be wrong next time... | |
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toomanytoyz Club President
Posts : 6876 Join date : 2009-01-20 Age : 47 Location : East Hampstead, NH USA
| Subject: Re: heater core flow restrictor alternative? Sat Jun 22, 2013 7:31 pm | |
| Yeah, steve's been having issues with verifying springs lately... | |
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sdstick
Posts : 4292 Join date : 2009-03-20 Location : Revere, MA
| Subject: Re: heater core flow restrictor alternative? Sat Jun 22, 2013 8:23 pm | |
| Thanks for being there to remind me... Bastid... | |
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