Hi all, I have read through many posts , but I am still a bit confused on Heater control Vacuum lines. My 79 only blows air thru the defroster. Hot and Cold work fine so Mechanical blend door is OK. I have a "GRAY" line disconnected in the Engine Compartment. It does pull Vacuum ( About 15 psi.) but is not hooked to anything, looked like it came loose from something and fell on the Ex Manifold.. I am thinking it goes to a valve to regulate coolant through the heater core.
I tried "jumpering" the different lines form the back of the Vacuum switch at the back of the heater controls. to see if anything changed. I thought I heard a Pod open or close a door, but the test was inconclusive. So, I can run my defroster all day( heat or cool), but cannot Send air thru the vents or to the floor.
If I can find the hook up point for the gray line will that cure my ailment? if I Plug that line should I be able to make my vents work as they should? Vacuum Diagrams have been eluding me :let_it_all_out:
Thanks in Advance! This El Camino has been filled with problems from the previous owner, But I am optomistic that I can restore it to it's once glorious state! "Caveat Emptor!" ( let the buyer beware, this guy hosed us, but shame on me for not checking out everything more thoroughly too

Gray is heater control valve

I had the same problem on my 79'. That vacuum line should run to a vacuum cannister that is mounted towards the pass side firewall. Looks like a baseball. The cannister has 2 vacuum ports. One you connect to the line you are talking about. The other port should run a line that connects to any MANIFOLD vacuum source. This could be on the carb or on the intake manifold itself. The vent deflector doors default to the defrost position with no vacuum present. Once you get that line hooked up to a vacuum source, you should be good to go.

Jeffs nickel9, Don't feel like the long stranger about getting antious and buying something that not exactly as presented. I had the same problem with my 82, the hose was stashed down in the finder well and the vacuum chamber was missing. No exhaust manifold gaskets, a lot of things didn't work, but its mine and i'm glad to have it. There are fewer and fewer Elcaminos every day. I know a guy who had a nice 84, he did the cash for clunkers deal.
Ted Dubree

do you have his address? i would Like to take my '84 and do a few burnouts/ donuts in his front yard! Shame Shame on him! :twisted:

thanks for the info that the vents default to the defroster. I Suspected that was the case. Vacuum Canister (Ball) is present and has a Black line in and a Purple line out ( or vice versa). Vacuum is present to the Control switch and the the Gray line is also pulling Vacuum ( about 15psi) i will get after it this week and do more testing and hopefully repair. Thanks again everyone! :beer: