How Repair Pot Metal?

My heater control lever broke in my 64 Bel Air today and searched and searched the web for replacement parts and found none. They decided to stop making them. I was wondering if there was a way to repair the lever in any fashion that will withstand daily use. It's starting to get cold here in Wyoming and this is my daily car and the door is stuck between defrost and floor. If you know anyone out there with a control unit out there that they want to let loose that would be great also.

 

Seems unusual that the control lever would be made of pot metal. Are you sure? Maybe the knob, or housing, but the actual lever?

If, for some reason, it really is pot metal, I can't see it being stronger after a repair. You might try finding a replacement unit. Good luck. Stu

 

mines pot metal. i bought a reair kit off a cl***ic chevy site in okla city a few years back.

 

That's the problem they only make them for 65 and up, those levers move side to side, and mine move up and down.

 

A really good welder can weld it up for you. Denny Lesky owner of the Ionia Hot Rod Shop welded the large holes in my pot metal grill. Also, one of the guys at Advanced Plating welded up all the torn and chewed up side trim pot metal pieces that had chunks missing. Turned out AWESOME. Call them, maybe they can fix it for you THEN replate it.


Advanced Plating
<CITE>www.[B]advanced[/B]plating.com</CITE>

1425 Cowan Ct
Nashville, TN 37207-5628
(615) 227-6900

 

Can't vouch for the product, but it's worth reading...

http://www.muggyweld.com/potmetal.html

 

guys..this is not a pitted part..it's broken. it requires strength to function.

 

Theres a special solder you can use thats made especially for pot metal..........check your local welding supply house or go visit Tractor Supply, they used to carry it..........

 

just called wesco cl***ic parts in okc and talked to bob. he basically said what you did. no new replacements and welding is out. he did say there were plenty in the boneyards. put out a bolo in the cl***ifieds and see what happens.

 

if nobody comes up with one , heres an option ....http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/CHEV...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

 

is it simple in design? i would get a small piece of plate steel of similar thickness and remake it otherwise maybe buy a used climate control and swap it out or salvage the part

 

and another

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1964...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item518e33a5b2

 

We can weld your potmetal. If you'd like drop me a line.

 

the levers I beleive are different shape for a non a/c car, mine has a/c option

 

Thanks for the help I'll keep you in mind if I can't do it locally or myself, it's my daily car and can't afford to be without heat, it's damn cold here in the mornings!

 

I have no idea about the strength factor...but the company LUMIWELD has a product that they claim will fix pot metal...I have used it on aluminum with great results, but never on pot metal repair....best of luck to you. (eastwood carries it...)

 

check w/Flat top Bob here on the HAMB he ownes Owens salvage...Allaiance vendor I believe

 

removed lever ***embly and decided to fab up all new levers with real metal thanks for all the input and ideas.

 

Thanks Flat top Bob for the heater controls, greatly appreciate it