Another odd thing for a '66

[Broncobowsher]

OK I was poking around this '66 roadster again. Found it was already sold. But something caught my eye. Only 2 heater control knobs, not 3. It appears to not have a temperture knob. Has a factory heater box. Does NOT have the hole in the firewall in the center of the hump where the heater control valve cable pokes through into the engine compartment. I forgot the VIN but remember it was an early build.

Anyone else ever seen a 2-knob heater control on a '66? From what I can tell it is full flow water through the core and blocking the airflow is the only thing turning the heat off. It would help explain the odd control system on the Broncos that requires you to pull one knob for airflow and another to control the temperture (the "Pull the center knob to make your heater blow air" we get each fall on this site). Making the temperture control an afterthought, sounds like something that Ford would have done in the early days of the Bronco.

 

[Tito]

Those holes dont look like they were drilled very straight from the factory either!

 

[67ster]

My old 66 must have been a later production as it had the center knob,it was also a V/8 , wonder if that made a diff.?

 

[Broncobowsher]

I have do doubt that they are factory. This rig is beat but so original as well. Only a couple little rig jobs here and there but looks to have been left out in the elements for several decades. There is no sign that the dash has had the holes filled in and the firewall is also original. I am sure the camera angle doesn't help either.

 

[casadejohnson]

My 66 is a September 65 build and it has three controls. Mine are also located further to the right than the ones in the photo. They are above the radio location just like in my 74.

 

[stevew]

Never seen that & I've seen many Aug/Sept '65 Bronco's . I'd guess it started as a heater delete & someone added the knobs & heater especially seeing as they are positioned too far left . They should be centered over the radio .

 

[JGbronc]

Never seen that & I've seen many Aug/Sept '65 Bronco's . I'd guess it started as a heater delete & someone added the knobs & heater especially seeing as they are positioned too far left . They should be centered over the radio .

I bet that's the case, or something similar. Why didn't they put a temperature knob though?

 

[thegreatjustino]

My '66 also had three control knobs centered over the radio. I would agree with others that the heater was probably put in after the fact.

 

[NMWILLY]

Never seen that & I've seen many Aug/Sept '65 Bronco's . I'd guess it started as a heater delete & someone added the knobs & heater especially seeing as they are positioned too far left . They should be centered over the radio .

I agree with stevew. The knob on the left is out of and earlier ford truck.
Someone added the heater at some point.
Must have been in a cold climate. That would suck having the heater running
full tilt all the time in the summer!

 

[DirtDonk]

Why didn't they put a temperature knob though?

Might not even have known. If they didn't have a Bronco nearby to compare to, they got the heater plenum/box and just hooked up what they found.
Might even have had the third cable, but couldn't figure out where to hook it on the box!
You never know though. Maybe they did live in a cold climate, just ran the Bronco during hunting season or on the ranch, and just loved the full-time heat and decided not to bother with anything else!

Paul

 

[Viperwolf1]

If it was an open top roadster you might not even notice the heat in the heater core as long as the air flow was off.

 

[22213evl]

If it was an open top roadster you might not even notice the heat in the heater core as long as the air flow was off.

I'm thinking along those lines also, but the knobs look to be differently placed than I've ever seen before, but I'm no expert, would really love to know the story.

 

[eaglenest66]

I agree with Steve. Someone added that setup an it looks like along time ago too. Was probably a heater delete rig and someone went to a dealership or boneyard and added everything. All an assumption but a good one.

 

[Gas Pig]

I agree with most of the guys, that it's not factory installed. But what might be another clue is, does your truck have a right wheel tub/firewall brace? The few heater delete 66's that I have seen didn't have the added black brace. I'm guessing Ford thought the firewall needed more support with the added weight if it had a heater box. Is your truck drill out for that added black metal bracket?

 

[stevew]

Reading your post again I take it you don't own this Bronco ? Another thing to check is if theres heater ducts . They might be a bit hard to install without removing the dash & somebody probably wouldn't go thru the trouble.