Do 1973 heater controls fit on pre 73 faceplate?

[ddezso]

I am in the process of switching out the 1973 heater control plate (I assume 1973 because of the illuminated control option - see pic) to a more original and not broken pre 73 faceplate.

The issue I am having is the heater controls don't seem to mount properly to the new faceplate. There is a oval shaped piece of plastic with 2 screw holes in it that block the way. Again I've tried to picture it.

Does that piece of plastic need to be cut off somehow or do these look like incompatible heater controls with the faceplate? I am assuming the solution is to get new controls since I want to use the new faceplate but would like some input.

1 picture shows old faceplate (the radio area is damaged), one shows the new one, one shows their side by side profile and the other shows the thing blocking the controls from mounting.....

Thanks

[EScanlon]

IMO, in a word.....NO.

The (73) Main Bracket that forms the frame for the lever control assembly is designed to have an offset from the faceplate for the light lens. It has a FLAT piece (at an angle) that backs the light lens and the levers go THROUGH it (All three). That piece is NOT perpendicular to the lever controls, it is parallel to the faceplate.

The (71) HC Faceplate is designed without that FLAT piece. As such, the (71)faceplate has these "extension boots", for lack of a better term, that provided the "sleeve" through which the lever protruded through the face plate. The (71) Lever Control Assembly's flat piece, is perpendicular to the body of the lever controls and NOT parallel to the face. Additionally only the lower two levers were behind it.

The upper most lever doesn't go through the metal, only the HCP.

If you were to cut off these sleeves parallel to the face plate, you MIGHT be able to get the lever controls to align and mount to the face plate.

But it would be so much easier to simply buy a 71 Lever Bracket Assembly and transfer your cables to it. Heck, you might be able to swap out your complete 73 HCP / Levers for a 71 in equitable condition, since you have the faceplate you want to use.

2¢

Enrique

[ddezso]

Thanks. I just bought a 70-71 heater switch control on Ebay. It will fit my new faceplate. It didnt come with a fan control switch. The 73 panel included an offset to screw the switch to so the shaft of the switch (where you put the knob) doesnt protrude too far out. The 70-71 doesnt have that so now I need to find a new switch.