Non AC vent control help

[383_StealthRam]

This is the cover for the MC bracket. Looks wider than Cutlass trim.

Sure does, but I was surprised that the actual crotch vent "cutout" or "opening" was also different size that the Cutlass trim panel. I figured you could make the MC vents piece fit into the Cutlass trim piece with some modifications.

So do you have the Monte's non A/C vent buttons piece, like in that eBay auction with the two cables molded to the panel, or do you have the two separate cables from the Cutlass non A/C vent setup that look like they are held into the lower column trim piece with the slide clips?

 

[Blake442]

I went thru the exact same thing with my 442.
You have the Chevy style cables and unfortunately the Olds-specific under column pieces are extremely hard to find.
If you remove the vent from your existing panel, you can adapt the vent controls and it will look good enough...
I'll snap a picture of what I did on my car when I get a chance

 

[JPetro]

Sure does, but I was surprised that the actual crotch vent "cutout" or "opening" was also different size that the Cutlass trim panel. I figured you could make the MC vents piece fit into the Cutlass trim piece with some modifications.

So do you have the Monte's non A/C vent buttons piece, like in that eBay auction with the two cables molded to the panel, or do you have the two separate cables from the Cutlass non A/C vent setup that look like they are held into the lower column trim piece with the slide clips?

I have the MC bracket style. I bought a Cutlass one from eBay yesterday and will paint it to match my dash. Just need to find a headlight switch trim piece without the vent now 😁

I went thru the exact same thing with my 442.
You have the Chevy style cables and unfortunately the Olds-specific under column pieces are extremely hard to find.
If you remove the vent from your existing panel, you can adapt the vent controls and it will look good enough...
I'll snap a picture of what I did on my car when I get a chance

I thought about cutting the bracket and attaching with epoxy or something but decided to just eBay an Olds version. The one listed shows the cables intact so fingers crossed.

Do you know how "Air tight" the vent doors were originally? I'm cleaning up the heater box and want to repad and seal it.

 

[69hurstolds]

I have the MC bracket style. I bought a Cutlass one from eBay yesterday and will paint it to match my dash. Just need to find a headlight switch trim piece without the vent now 😁

I thought about cutting the bracket and attaching with epoxy or something but decided to just eBay an Olds version. The one listed shows the cables intact so fingers crossed.

Do you know how "Air tight" the vent doors were originally? I'm cleaning up the heater box and want to repad and seal it.

Air tight wasn't part of the deal. 🙂 However, they used open cell foam seals with a run of double sided tape to hold them in place in several places. Of course, this stuff dried up and died over the years, so you just may only see glue tape remnants.

oldsofb has a series of DETAILED videos on youtube covering the HVAC stuff as far as seals and rebuilding. His has A/C, but the doors and seal points should be similar. Excellent source of info.

 

[JPetro]

Air tight wasn't part of the deal. 🙂 However, they used open cell foam seals with a run of double sided tape to hold them in place in several places. Of course, this stuff dried up and died over the years, so you just may only see glue tape remnants.

oldsofb has a series of DETAILED videos on youtube covering the HVAC stuff as far as seals and rebuilding. His has A/C, but the doors and seal points should be similar. Excellent source of info.

Yeah I've watched most of his vids. I'll have to go back and check the AC restore one I don't remember him showing adding foam to the doors. Open foam is weirdly not readily available higher density stuff is everywhere in every size

 

[69hurstolds]

Yeah I've watched most of his vids. I'll have to go back and check the AC restore one I don't remember him showing adding foam to the doors. Open foam is weirdly not readily available higher density stuff is everywhere in every size

They actually have GM part numbers for the foam strips. I've got a bag full of seals.

Open cell foam is available nearly everywhere if you look. Full sheets are a PITA, but offer the thinner stuff like 3/8". And won't break the bank at like 8.99 per sheet. Shipping may be more expensive than the foam.

Poly Foam

Check out the deal on Poly Foam at Foam Factory, Inc.

www.foambymail.com

 

[JPetro]

They actually have GM part numbers for the foam strips. I've got a bag full of seals.

Open cell foam is available nearly everywhere if you look. Full sheets are a PITA, but offer the thinner stuff like 3/8". And won't break the bank at like 8.99 per sheet. Shipping may be more expensive than the foam.

Poly Foam

Check out the deal on Poly Foam at Foam Factory, Inc.

www.foambymail.com

Nice, I was searching "open cell" instead of "foam" and then working backwards. Thank you!

Hutch used open cell it looks like on the edge that joins the dash duct to the box. He used high density foam it looks like on the doors. I'm going to order a sheet from that site you posted and use that on the doors and call it a day 🙂 If anyone has a 81+ headlight switch dash trim plate with no Air Vent DM me 🙂

 

[pagrunt]

If the specific under column panel is needed here's a lead. P/N is 558919 but they want $80 plus the ride.

1978 1987 CUTLASS MONTE CARLO MALIBU UNDER STEERING COLUMN VENT PANEL 558919 OEM | eBay

UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN VENT CABLE MOUNT PANEL FROM A 1985 CUTLASS. . SOLD AS IS, COMES AS SHOWN. I EXPRESS NO GUARANTEE ON FITMENT TO ANYTHING OTHER THAN A 1985 CUTLASS WITH OUT AC.

www.ebay.com

 

[pagrunt]

Seller even has the cables, asking the same price.

1978 1987 CUTLASS MONTE CARLO MALIBU UNDER STEERING COLUMN VENT PANEL CABLES PR | eBay

THIS IS JUST LIKE IF YOU GO TO PICK A PART. TRUTH IS THESE PARTS AND CARS ARE DISAPEARING RAPIDLY. UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN VENT CABLES FROM A 1985 CUTLASS.

www.ebay.com

 

[JPetro]

Seller even has the cables, asking the same price.

1978 1987 CUTLASS MONTE CARLO MALIBU UNDER STEERING COLUMN VENT PANEL CABLES PR | eBay

THIS IS JUST LIKE IF YOU GO TO PICK A PART. TRUTH IS THESE PARTS AND CARS ARE DISAPEARING RAPIDLY. UNDER THE STEERING COLUMN VENT CABLES FROM A 1985 CUTLASS.

www.ebay.com

Thank you. I found one earlier with cables. I just need a headlight switch bezel without the vent. There's one on eBay but it's not the right wood grain for 84.