Long ago I took my 68 XL convertible to a mechanic for a broken cable on the air conditioner. He couldn't locate a replacement and "set" the control so that the air came out only the in the middle vents.

As time has become available I located the missing bowden cable from at a junk yard. The problem is finding where on the heater it connects. I reviewed my manual for the car and found the factory manual doesn't show two cables for a Ford only for a Mercury. My problem is the lower bowden control cable and not the temperature control cable. The mercury heater shown seems different than mine.

The manual indicates it should control a heater air valve at the base of the defroster vent. Problem is it isn't there and there is only one hole that looks to have been the securing nut for the vent. I've pretty much dismantled the dash area of the car but can't locate a likely spot for the connection. My car has a console with air.

I've checked all the vacuum actuated mototrs and they work properly as described in the manual for each setting.So this is the last item between me and and a car I can enjoy year round. Any thoughts?

 

First - aren't the vents controlled by a vacuum switch (lever on the dash) and vacuum lines? I've had a car with AC thatone cable went INSIDE the blower/heater core/AC housing and ducts incognito from the top at the back. You had to disassemble the whole housing (and likely the whole dash if it's in the way) to get at it because the housing was so large. I can't guarantee but the more you learn taking it apart the more you'll understand. I'd check to be sure yours doesn't have a vacuum line and switch problem first because I'm sure that's how they operated in the very early 70's. Of course 50's and 60's are likely different, at the same rate, because they did have more mechanical means. If you have a failed vacuum switch you will need another one and you'll need to relocate the cables as original by a diagram. I sure hope you do have cable - it's a lot less hassle.