I tried a couple of parts stores (AutoZone, O'reileys) and a local dealer. No one seems to have a vacuum control valve. I'm not really sure what it is called but it is the part that sits above the stereo and has 5(or so) vacuum lines going in and controls where the vent blows (defrost, vent, floor).

I need one for an '82 Camaro. The dealer told me that '82 and '83 had a different part number than newer cars.

Anyone know if this is still available anywhere?

Thanks,

 

I get from the junkyard.
A trip the junkyard may at least let you know if the newer part can be made to work as a replacement for yours, - then you can order the new one.
That is unless someone who has experienced this can tell you here and save you the trip.
Personally I don't know because I will no longer repair them. I just replace with a cable. I really don't like those valves! lol

 

Did later cars use a cable instead of vacuum?

 

Nope; mostly all vacuum.

All it does, is select what doors under the dash, that route the air to the variuos vents, are opened or closed. So if it goes bad all your air might always come out the defroster or something. Pretty simple really. Almost as simple and easy and trivial as car wiring, which has GOT TO be the simplest kind of wiring there is.

All these cars, AFAIK, use a cable for the temperature blend door (controls how much of the air passes through the heater core); and all the other functions are vacuum-operated.

 

No, I just prefer them so I Frankenstein it. Lube them once and good forever, - reliability. It's just a peeve I guess, - changing the HVAC setting and having to wait for vacuum, or having the idle change, increased opportunity for vacuum leaks, etc...

I would bet that it wouldn't be that hard to use the newer style vacuum switch in your older car. Just test it so that each setting works properly (tubes in correct order) before putting it all back together.

I'm assuming you are talking about the rotary switch where all the vacuum tubes connect at the control panel.
There are also the vacuum actuators at the other ends of the tubes.
Does Year One or Camaro Country not have anything like that?
Maybe Hawks has what you want.

 

That's what I figured. Thanks.

Yes it is the rotary "switch" with the vacuum lines.

Year one, Camaro country, Hawks: I'll check them out. Thanks.

The part that holds the two sides of the switch together had broken. Since I could not easily find a replacement, I got it working by attaching the two sides with a screw and a big washer. It works for now and will at least buy me a little time.