Automotive/1976 Bronco

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Expert: - 7/18/2010


Question
Hi Ernie.

You previously answered my question regarding my heater temp. control cable. After searching under the hood and looking at catalog pictures of heater component parts I've come to the conclusion that my Bronco is missing the heater control valve. I can order one but once again I'm not sure on where or how to install it. I'm assuming that it must be connected on one of the heater hoses as the pictures of the heater contol valve looks as though it's an in line installation. Am I right?

Thanks Ernie.

Answer

FordShopPg3
I was quite intrigued by the use of the modulating hot-water valve - my 59 Ford, 59 Edsel and 78 E250 all use the "hot-deck cold-deck" (so called by the HVAC industry) system, so finding that the Bronco, and F-series trucks as well, used hot-water modulation makes me glad that I checked these out in my 1978 Ford Truck manual set!

I have made a PDF for you, and shall send it along with my answer, provided that option presents itself.  If that file does NOT accompany my answer, simply send me a "new" question, and I shall attach the file to that.  Apparently, AllExpert system allows the option on first-request only.

Once you have all the information, your best bet is to find a Ford parts guy (or girl) with an automotive interest in older vehicles; that type of parts person will go the extra mile to try to find what you need.

Good luck and regards ... EGK

Well, this is pretty hokey!  I cannot send a PDF, but rather an image file only.  The trouble is that my pdf was of the five-page section of the manual, which included descriptive text, instructions, and three pages of images, the latter so as to include each engine option.

For now, I am sending page 3, which address the 300cid I-6 image.  Let me know if you need another.  (You could get this a page at a time from me, if you send me four more "questions", each really a request for another page.

Cheers ... EGK  

Ernest (Ernie) Kenward

Expertise

The challenges I most enjoy are thoughtful technical questions of a trouble-shooting nature in both electrical, power electronic and mechanical systems, mainly automotive but also machine control and small-machine PLC applications. Please note, however, that I am NOT a walking shop manual! I DO, however, make it a point to have those manuals and other service literature for those vehicles I DO own, and highly recommend that anyone serious about maintenance or modification of their vehicles do the same; MOST of your answers WILL be found there. For that matter, I do NOT go out of my way to acquire shop manuals for any vehicle I do NOT own! That being the case, any general query to me along the lines of "What is the meaning of this code read from the ECU of my 2015 XYZ?" or "Where is the fuse for the windshield washer pump found?" (try your car's electrical distribution panel for a start!) will not go far. What I do offer is a pretty good collection of literature, insights and hands-on experience with 1950s to 1980's Ford products (plus a developing database of information and practice with the Mercedes diesel cars), along with an engineering perspective and the ability to design and implement custom control, electrical and mechanical subsystems for vehicles. For that reason, I am happy to make my thoughts and efforts available to those who are of like mind and/or are seriously making a point of learning about their vehicles. Use the Opportunity to Learn!

Experience

A key skill in my work and hobby pursuits both is STRATEGIC TROUBLESHOOTING. I am a senior instructor in Electrical Engineering Technology at a leading Canadian polytechnic, my areas being Electrical Power and Industrial Control, electrical and electronics design and manufacturing, and AutoCAD and related CAD/CAE software - plus equipment problem-solving and new equipment design and prototyping. Hobby-wise, I have 30-plus years of experience in auto restoration, mostly in electrical and mechanical systems. Ongoing projects include a 1959 Edsel Corsair, my 1978 Ford E250 class-B motorhome conversion, and the care and upkeep of my Mercedes 300CD. My vehicles become engineering test beds for electrical and mechanical upgrades as ideas present themselves. This includes the design and production of circuit boards to restore or enhance features for which no OEM replacement parts are obtainable, or where better specifications or reliability can be had via newer concepts. Regarding the E250 RV conversion, I designed and continue to revise a custom power distribution system, managed by a Programmable Controller (PLC); this has made most revisions as easy as uploading new firmware as I develop it. The "mini" PLC is a powerful device for custom automotive control systems. One good example (there are many) would be the Moeller "Easy Relay"; these offer a wealth of control, monitoring and variable-and-status display options for such projects. A good example project which has worked well is that one for my RV noted above, which has been on the job - revised in firmware only - for a decade now. It is a load management and charging control system to avoid the sulfation-induced early failure that often befalls deep-cycle batteries used in RV power applications. The battery installed in 2003 lasted long enough to more tnan pay for the PLC that contributed to its longer life ... and the PLC will be there for the next battery as well!

Organizations
IEEE - senior member ... past WCC Student Activities; SME - senior member ... past chair, greater Vancouver chapter chair 318; Edsel Owners' Club - have served in various capacities on chapter executive during seventies; have been Power and Driveline resource on the Edsel Owners' Club "E-team" for more than a decade.

Education/Credentials
Graduate of UBC

Awards and Honors
Certificates of appreciation from IEEE and SME for work in student and chapter activities

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