1982 Center Council heater question

[firestopper]

I have a 1982 40 and notice some antifreeze coming from under the center council heater.
I pulled the four small Phillips screws that secure the two plastic halves but can’t separate completely due to the heat regulator lever found on the backside. The small 42 year old plastic knob is likely brittle so I don’t want to start yanking. The little squarish knob appears to have a separate plastic piece imbedded so not sure how to remove this without breaking the whole enchilada.
Any advice is appreciated greatly!

 

[MOTOV8R]

It’s been a while but I think you just pull it off. Same as the dash sliders for mini trucks of that era.

 

[charliemeyer007]

+1 but I'd look closely for a cross pin/screw under a plastic port/plug.

 

[firestopper]

Thanks! Since I posted the original ?, I see they are available p/n 55905-12070 for under $7.
I’ll give it a yank then
Thanks for your reply brother.

Funny how more important stuff is unavailable for these rigs but then you find stuff like this.

 

[firestopper]

+1 but I'd look closely for a cross pin/screw under a plastic port/plug.

When you say “port plug” are you saying the center (different color) section?

 

[charliemeyer007]

Often screws or pins are hidden in recessed holes (ports) that are plugged with exactly the same material as the port. Usually only the faint circle line is visible to the human eye.

 

[firestopper]

The different color center section on the knob turned out to be a spring steel clip. My old a$$ eyes told me it was different color plastic.
The plastic top half is out. Now to find the deep/leak. Thank you guys! Now we all know.

 

[firestopper]

Found the leak/seep. It appears to be the heat control valve. The plunger seal (for lack of a better word). The whole thing is soldered together. On the hunt for a new/used replacement. I guess I could just abandon the center console and fabricate a tuffy knock-off made from real steel. After the EFI addition, I see a vintage air or equivalent in the future.

 

[MOTOV8R]

Found the leak/seep. It appears to be the heat control valve. The plunger seal (for lack of a better word). The whole thing is soldered together. On the hunt for a new/used replacement. I guess I could just abandon the center console and fabricate a tuffy knock-off made from real steel. After the EFI addition, I see a vintage air or equivalent in the future.View attachment 3650084

These late model 40 heaters are hard to come by. They are very similar to the 60 rear heater. I think the main difference is where the pipes exit. You might be able to cannibalize a 60 heater for repair parts. At the very least make sure you get a fair price for it. That ash tray is unobtainuim (though I think there is a 3D printed option out there somewhere).

 

[firestopper]

Found this on eBay. Might be able to solder something together after all. For just under $37 bucks, it’s worth a try.

 

[45Dougal]

Looks like there's a good chance of a fix there.
There are a few peripheral dimples - is this crimping the plunger seal in place perhaps? I wonder if you could drill/cut the old seal out and then uncrimp it and fit a new seal.
I feel like otherwise a blow lamp will have that apart in no time