HVAC Control - Need Help ID'ing

[Gary Lewis]

I'm going to tag Ralph as I'm pretty sure he knows the answer, but several others may as well so y'all please chime in.

TJ/tjmac, my SiL, has a new-to-him truck, which is an '83 with factory A/C.  But the HVAC control panel is laying on the floor and has been butchered.  So I want to replace it with something I have, although I do remember that there were changes along the way, both in the cosmetics as well as the vacuum connection and blower switch.

I have an HVAC control that matches the b/w image in the 1983 owners manual, but cannot decode the ID # on it via the Cross Reference books.  (TJ - A number on a Ford part is not a "part number".  Instead, as bizarre as it seems, it is an ID # and the only way to determine the true part number, which is what shows in the Master Parts Catalog, is to use the Cross Reference books that I have.  )

So Ralph, please remind me when the changes were made in the HVAC controls and which ones can interchange.

Pics follow:

[Ford F834]

Gary, I want to say that 80-82 had the early style vacuum switch and red and blue dashes on the control face, and 83+ had the later vacuum switch and red and blue wedges on the control face. The electrical connector changed in 1985, I *think* but can be re-pinned if you have the connector to work with.

One thing I do remember for sure is that 1983 had a unique HVAC cable. 80-82 was one type, 83 was unique, and 84-86 was another type.

When I put the 1985 controller in my 1981, I believe I used the 1984+ style cable, the 1983+ vacuum loom (vacuum motors were the same) and I re-pinned the blower motor switch. I didn’t use a tank selector switch since I have only 1 tank. I don’t know if that helps you at all… but that was my experience.

[81-F150-Explorer]

I'd say that came off of a 1985 or 1986 due to the black lever knobs.

They were chrome until 1985.

Most likely that control is E4TZ-19980-M  - With Aux Tank: Without Diesel or 460. Fits 1985/1986 only.

-----------------------

The 1983 was a one hit wonder similar to the 1980 in some respects.

Unfortunately the Heater and A/C controls were one of them. 1983 only.

The one you need is:

E3TZ-19980-F = With Aux Tank: Without Diesel or 460. Fits: 1983 only.

[81-F150-Explorer]

I was working on my last post as you replied.

It's good to know you can mix and match stuff.

What he may need to do here.

[Gary Lewis]

Thanks, guys!

With the info above I did some searching and found this thread on Vacuum Controlled Heater Core Valve, and specifically Jonathan's post below.  So it looks like that TJ's vacuum harness will work, and if the control I have is an '85 then I need to send him the later style cable.

Do you agree?

And, I need to update our documentation!

Ford F834 wrote

Okay, I apologize that these pictures are not the very best since I was photographing inside the dash, but they should suffice to explain the differences:

1980-1982, early style vacuum switch and cable attaches by looping around a post on the lever arm and is secured by a screw in tab (red)


1983 only... both the cable and controller are unique to this model year. The vacuum switch is the newer style and has the newer face cosmetics. But the lever is offset and has a post similar to the 80-82 system. The cable end loops around the post but the sheath is secured by a square plastic block that snaps into the controller body (black)


1984-1986, late style vacuum switch and a completely flat lever with a small hole in it instead of the post. The cable sheath is secured by a a round (black) cable end that snaps into the controller body. The cable end engages with the lever by dog legging through the small hole. (Same picture already shared but repeated for completeness)


I pulled one of the new style cables for Dave, and I can post up a picture if the bare cable ends, but I didn't photograph that in the junkyard. I wanted to extract a 1983 cable for photographic purposes, but I had limited time and it takes quite a while to get one of those cables out in one piece! Hopefully the en situ shots get the idea across. Basically if you have a 1983 controller you need the 1983 cable for it. The lever/cable system is unique and not compatible with other years.

[Ford F834]

Gary Lewis wrote

Do you agree?

And, I need to update our documentation!

I agree that I knew more about this back when I wrote that post than I do now! Ha ha. Too bad I didn’t get the pics of all three types of cable ends, looks like only 84-86 type pictured in a subsequent post. Maybe if TJ’s 83 cable is still in his truck you can get a picture of it? (The two ends).

[Gary Lewis]

So the "truck" end of the cable might be different as well? I thought the cable goes to the blend door, which Ford calls the "DOOR ASSY. (AIR DAMPER)" and is E0TZ 18A361-A.

[81-F150-Explorer]

Temperature cable: With Integral AC.

1980/82:  E0TZ-19988-A
1983: E3TZ-19988-A
1984/1989: E4TZ-19988-A

Again a 1983 only part.

------------------------

The other end of that cable attaches to the actuating rod "Short number" 19D846, a part of the 19D963 Frame Assembly, and to the upper plenum chamber bracket 18A677, which is a part of 18471.

Frame Assembly: Air Temp Control With Integral AC or Hi/Low Vent.

1980/ :  E0TZ-19D963-A  = Good news on the engine side. Fits 1980 up.

Upper Plenum chamber: which includes 18A677.

1980/87: E0TZ-18471-C = Good news on the engine side. Fits 1980/1987.

-------------------------------

So the engine side of the cable should be compatible with A/C .  This is according to the MPC, 1980 to at least 1987.  

So I'd match the cable to the control head.

[Gary Lewis]

Excellent!  I missed the upper end of the cable in the illustration, so thanks for correcting me.

I'll see if I don't have a spare cable.

[Gary Lewis]

I do have a spare later cable and it is going in the care package.  Thanks, guys!