The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk heater knob

My 1951 3100 chevrolet truck has the deluxe fresh air heater in it. The heater control knob (maroon-warmer)twisted off the rod.I purchased a new after market knob and installed it with no luck.The knob doesn't grip the control rod.

I took it back and they can't tell me the proper way of installing it.The tech guys don't have a clue,but they sell tons of them ? I explained that it wasn't any good just for looks,I want to use it.They exchanged it for another new one with no hassle at all.

The control rod has little splines that should press into the knob.Do you fellow bolters know how to install the knob on the control rod ? What is the trick ???

A couple of pictures of the new knob.
heater control knob

back side of knob

Thanks,Tim

Maybe heat the rod and kinda "melt" it into the new knob?
I know,,,you shouldnt have to do something like that to a brand new part,,but welcome to the world of repro,,"just like original" parts.
Marty

Tim,

I haven't seen these items, so this is a guess. Loctite and a bazillion others make two part epoxy compounds...everyone here knows J-B Weld.

Would it be possible to clean the shaft and little spines of all old knob material and make it bright and clean.

Mix your 5-minute two part epoxy and stick a little gob into the hole on the new knob and shove it on. When it dries, it should be just-almost-like new.

Because I haven't done this, maybe I am over simplifying it.

Stuart

Stuart,i just posted some picture links in my original post. I will give it some thought while others chime in. Thanks !

Tim,

That's how I imagined it! If you roughed up the interior of the hole in the knob a bit, I'm pretty sure the epoxy routine would be bullet proof.

I agree, wait and someone will have a BTDT answer.

Stuart

Stuart,what does BTDT stand for ? I don't understand the lingo .

Been there, done that!

Maybe someone has done this very procedure and there is some obvious way to accomplish it that doesn't involve "Stu's method".

Stuart

Isn't the idea to take the slpined metal hub out of the old knob and mount it in the new one? Also you should be able to get a knob from some old electronics equipment which has a set screw.

truckernix,My broken knob doesn't have a metal hub or barrel in it.I've had this truck for 24 years,maybe someone changed it before me.Do you have a picture of an original knob showing this hub ?

My repop kob was tight when I tried to put it on. I just "finessed" (real meaning is drove) it on. I think any kind of glue (like Gorilla) would suffice to hold it in place. Just make sure that its position is correct before you do glue it. If it broke afterwards, you could just use a dremel to clean up the shaft of any residue.

KWICK J-B WELD

Clean the splines good,put the new knob in hot water for 5 min and push it on,let it cool,and it will stay on. Works for me Don

But, but... it says "Perfect Fit" in the catalog

Perfect Fit Manufacturing Company, Tiawan... :p

I talked to mike at Jim Carters about installing the heater knob on the rod.He told me to heat the rod up and then push the knob on.I heated it with a propane torch.I then pushed the knob on and it melted around the knob and splines.I then had to hold it still for a moment so it didn't shift crooked.I then stood it up and let the vise hold it over night.I just installed it and it works great so far.I did mark the rod for placement of the knob before hand.I didn't want it in the wrong position.

It's always nice to purchase parts from people who actually work on these old trucks.