Somehow I forgot to take a picture of this part before it came off the car. Is it supposed to mount on the engine compartment side of the firewall, or the passenger compartment side of the firewall? Also, which is the correct of 3 possible clock positions for this grommet?

While I'm at it, Where's the best place to get the temp control cable for the water valve? I'd like to have the one that goes through this grommet, but if I have to I could use the one that comes out by the brake booster.

The reproduction cables I've seen use a stiff wire, but I've never had the chance to check out an original cable off the car. (mine was missing) Do originals also use a stiff wire, or are they more flexible for easier routing? Do I need to look for NOS, used, or repro? If repro, who makes these cables?

Many thanks to any who help! This cable situation is one of those little things that's puzzled me since I got the car 11 years ago.

Tav

other side

Engine compartment side

Passenger compartment side

From the looks of the one you posted, I would say that one was mounted from the engine side of the firewall.

Well, Dave Walden mounted the one on the white challenger on the engine compartment side.

RP's R/T's says that's not correct, it should be mounted on the passenger compartment side.

That's one vote for each way. Anyone Else?

Tav

I have a good original A/C car - I'll have a look.

Quote:

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It seems odd that the factory would mount the grommet from either location.

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Since it doesn't affect the function, it looks like the guy on the line was allowed to install from whatever side was most convenient at the time.
I would vote for the engine bay side installation purely from a safety stand point as long as the pointy ends of the screw didn't pose a threat to the passenger. There is nothing like shoving your hand into dark tight place and pulling back a bloody hand.

mine is mounted from the inside....also on a side note.. whats the correct way to run the heater control cable to valve... ..mine runs under the dash through that same grommet then to valve.. but ive seen it run from drivers side then along cowl then to valve...

Does your car have manual drum brakes?

Great to hear from you! Either way to mount the cable is correct for 1970. Clearly yours came routed through the grommet by the blower motor like mine. We are in the minority though. Including your car, there are about 7 cars I know of that were routed this way. That makes it difficult to learn what is correct for these cars. It would be a HUGE help if you could get some pics of your cable routing. (particularly under the dash, but elsewhere too) If you need help posting them here due to the 700 K size limit restriction, please e-mail them to me and I will resize them and post for you. If you can't get pics, then a detailed description may also prove helpful. I've heard there is a bendy tab on the side of the AC box to hold the cable, and am guessing it routes under the AC box? It would also be nice if you found a part # on the cable somewhere.

Most cars seem to have the cable exit over by the brake booster instead.

The 70-71 parts book lists two cables for the 1970 model year.
71 inches long # 3431 215
74 inches long # 3431 339

My original cable was missing when I got the car. I'm hoping to learn which cable I need for my car. Also, any tips on which way to route it under the dash and around the AC box would be greatly appreciated!




Does anyone have any ideas why two different cables/routings were used in 1970?

The cable listed in the parts book for 1971 is also 71 inches long, but has a different part # 3431 459. As far as I know 1971-74 cars always had the cable routed over by the brake booster.

Does anyone know what the differences between these cable are?

Tav

Hey Tav,
Your original part has all the clues you would ever need. If the grommet had been mounted from the inside of the car, it would not have been exposed to all the dirt and grime that is evident in your first picture. You can compare the difference by looking at the picture Snoopy posted. The part of the grommet that is shown in his photo is dirty from being exposed from the inside out. Your example shows an opposite dirt pattern because THAT area of the grommet was on the INSIDE during the life of the car. Notice the rubber area where the screws once held it in place. It is clean and black because the dirt from the engine compartment was not able to permeate behind them. Just think of how dirty the inside of the car would have to be if this pattern had resulted from being mounted INSIDE the car.

from the 70 i just finished, pass. side from the inside.

mine came with pwr disc brake...ive removed dash a cple times already over years..and dont remember but i do remember it running under the a/c box..i think there is a clip that holds it ..similiar to clip that holds radio antenna lead along bottom of dash...but ive seen cable run thru where if u have maunal wiper washer hoses are run thru grommet along the cowl above wiper motor then to heater valve...ill have to look under the dash on mine and check it out ..as im installin a new dashpad soon...

Where should I plug vacuum hose that goes through that grommet? Inside the car it goes to A/C box, but where is the vacuum supplied in the engine bay?

On the rear of the block you should have a screw in large nipple that has multiple smaller nipples. You simple slide it on one of the smaller nipples.

Both on my former 1970 Chall and my 2 parts cars they were both mtd. interior side

hej.on my -70 cuda the grommet is screwed from the inside of the car.also its a 383 engine with a oem holley 4367,which got an vaccum outlet at the rear on the carbs base plate,and that is where ive connected the vaccum hose,ive put a tee on it cause that vaccum port also controlls those flappers in the duall snorkel air cleaner.