Im trying to find out what this thing is called,its located on the passenger side of the motor,has 3 1.25 inch long "nipples" coming out of it one from the radiator one into the firewall and one into the TPI throttle body and a vacuum line on top.Any help would be appreciated and can it be picked up at a local parts store?
thanx
ray

 

You're correct, that's what it is. But I don't know if it can be purchased at an auto parts store, sorry.

 

Heater control valve...most Auto-part stores carry it..

 

Yes, most autoparts stores should carry it. I know Advance does.

 

ok cool, thanx guys, im doing this as a favor for a buddy and yes he is getting wrench time in too,this is just one of the worst cars ive ever worked on,*** damn thirdgens! seems they built this car AROUND the motor.
we got pep boys and autozone here so hopefully if i can get a sober parts guy i can get the part.
do you know if they make metal ones by chance? this plastic **** is worse then holley pot metal carbs.

 

I'm pretty sure plastic is all you can get.

 

that sucks, its so cheap its not even funny, im suprised it doesnt melt under the temperature, it breaks into pieces to easily.
also what is the purpose of this on a FI set up? i run carb cars and i dont have heat,radio,a/c,power anything but brakes.

 

Thats how GM setup the heating on the f-body....you turn the heat switch on in the car and it cause a vaccum to the valve inside the piece which allows coolant to pass into the heater core...yeah...they will break if the hose clamp is tightened
too much....

 

Oh, and make sure you have good hose clamps (ones that are round and won't pinch the valve into an ovaled shape) so it won't ruin the new valve...

 

im going to use new hose clamps,but after working on a header install on this car (88 iroc) i cant see how anyone can wrench on these things and still be somewhat sane.

 

I can tell you one nice advantage to having that valve. When your heater core goes bad, all you have to do is turn your temp selector switch to cold and it cuts off all coolant flow to the leaky heater core, unlike other cars where you have to rig up a bypass hose until you fix the core. I ran mine the whole summer like that before having to replace the core. And yes you should be able to buy it from most parts stores. I think I paid less than $20 for a new one. I had to replace mine because the plastic finally got brittle and broke. I can't complain too much though considering that the original plastic valve lasted almost 200k before going bad. The 70's gm cars had metal ones, which actually sucked because they would end up stuck open or closed from corrosion eventually, so it's really sixes whether they're plastic or metal.