I tried this in the cooling forum with no responses so I'll try here. While inspecting underneath the passenger side of my dash I discovered that this cable is not connected, it comes from the Hot/cold lever on the climate control switch. It looks like something has been broke off here. I also notice some broke plastic as well as the metal piece. Can someone tell me what this part is called? And is this going to be a major job. It was already summer when I bought the car but I noticed when I was flushing the cooling system that the heater never really got hot.

 

Well I have ID'd it as the "heater core box". I have it arranged to pick up another one from a salvage yard. Am I going to need to remove the whole dash to replace this?

 

Are you sure you need to replace it? I haven't looked under the dash of mine, but usually that cable just opens and closes a door in the heater box. You don't want to change that unless you really have to (especially if you have AC).

 

But there's nothing for the cable to hook to, it's broke off.

 

I have the same problem, how'd you fix it?

 

I haven't yet. lol

 

I had that problem in my 86, the lever broke off. had to replace the entire heater box assy.

The center console needs to be removed and the whole dash needs to be at least unbolted and pulled away from the firewall, I didn't pull it completely out, there were too many electrical connections to deal with. Also, there are several vacuum lines to deal with, tag them before you take anything apart.

It took me a whole weekend to do the job.

 

I have been trying to think of a way to fabricate a lever. There's no way I can replace the heater box myself.

 

If you can see where the cable connected, try to JBWeld a small screw's head at that spot, slip the cable end over the threads and use a nyloc nut to keep the cable on the screw. Just a suggestion.