The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Heater valve, now what?

I got a new heater control valve from Danchuk. Close, but it has a different size tube to connect to the heater core. Has anybody found a way to deal with this? Is there some kind of special hose for this? This isn't an area where I want to chance a leak.

what year and model of truck are you working on ?

I ordered a HCV for "55 - 57, will also fit 58 - 50." Yeah, it FIT, but the nipples weren't like my original. It leaked before the year was out. The way I recommend dealing with your problem is to return it for a refund.

I don't remember having a problem between the valve and the core. I was able to get that little hose (IIRC) from an aftermarket supplier.

But to answer your question regarding how I compensated for the difference, I jerry-rigged it by getting an adapter and a couple of hose clamps for each side of the HCV. I don't exactly remember the sizes involved, but (for example) I attached a 5/8 hose at the HCV and ran it out the firewall, then clamped on a 5/8-to-3/4 adapter, then ran the 3/4 hose to the water pump.

It looked like crap but was functional...until it leaked in the cab. Then I cut the hoses at the firewall and put in a loop at the water pump. I'll replace the HCV with my original one after rebuilding it.

Good luck!

Bill

Sorry, I forgot to mention. It's a '57 with deluxe heater, so the valve to heater core connection are both inside the box. The original valve has 3/4" connections and the replacement has 5/8". Are there rebuild parts available for my original valve? Mine doesn't have "Ranco" stamped on it anywhere. I guess I could also try to solder a 3/4" nipple over the 5/8" nipple on the replacement valve. What happened to TxLaTx is exactly what I'm worried about.

the RANCO that's commonly around repro is actually for the 5-7 car which has the different size fittings .... repair kit from NAPA for either is: Napa/Balkamp #BK660-1000 which is the seal, usually the problem

Bill

OK, thanks. I'm going to get a seal kit and try it on my old valve. I also did some more checking and found the Gates 20662 hose.
It's a 5/8"x3/4" bypass hose that looks like it will take care of the problem of different connection sizes between the heater core and replacement valves.

Kojack, to save yourself some questions later on please know that a couple bolters have documented their works. If you do a search on Ranco Valve your bound to find Denny Grahams and Czechman's documentation. Its good reading. I have a few pics in my photo bucket if you want to look. There is a "tat" bit of difference but you can do it. I know you can!!