Leaking Heater control valve

[VelodromeRacer]

I know this group has offered advice in the past, so I will try once again...

My 1966 BJ8 seemed to drip coolant on my leg this past weekend and it looks to be coming from under the dash at the heater valve...but the valve mounts to the top of the heater! How easy is this to replace? From what I have read, it is propably the heater diaphram in the valve.
Will it be neccessary to drain all of the coolant to replace this? I am wanting to work on this next weekend before I drive up to Indy for a British car show.

Thanks for any advice, I will check back after this weekend.

Velo

 

[Keoke]

Well Velo,thats not the happiest task to do. However, remove the Tach which will give you access to the valve for inspection. If it is the valve you can remove it and replace through this opening-a bit of a chore though.Yes a bit of coolant will require draining but the heater matrix will remain full. OTOH, in the event that the heater matrix has failed then the entire assembly will require removal and repair. Let us know how you get on.--Fwiw---Keoke

 

[VelodromeRacer]

Thanks Keoke,

I arrived home from vacation today, as did my leaky valve..now to tackle it Tuesday night. I like the tach idea...I will let you know.

 

[VelodromeRacer]

To replace the valve, and only drain the needed amount of coolant, would you suggest draining by unfastening the heater hoses at the engine? I want to avoid splashing coolant in the passenger compartant. Also, the heater valve at the side of the engine...which direction shuts it off...the lever is either out or down.

 

[Keoke]

Hi again, all the water cut off valves on the engine are closed when the handle is parallel to the ground ["Out"]. To drain enough water off I would remove the radiator cap and open the petcock on the bottom of the radiator. Disconnecting the hose at the engine will not accomplish your intended purpose and adds more things to put back. Cover the floor with some type waterproof material ; tarp, plastic etc and old towels to sop up if required..---Keoke

 

[VelodromeRacer]

Keoke,

Got the valve changed. Here is what I did. I drained some coolant, unhooked the heater hoses at the engine, then discovered that the heater "box" if unhooked from the selector controls, is fastened to the firewall with an angle bracket each side. I unfastened the angle brackets and slid the whole assembly towards the passenger side footwell. Then I could pull the hoses thru the firewall still attached to the assembly...and there was everything I needed to replace. Just have to be careful not to unhook any dash wiring while sliding the assembly.

All is installed reverse of removal and now working just fine! Now on to the British Motor days in Indy on Sunday!