VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 '32 manifold heat control

I was advised last winter that this is not a crucial device except maybe for winter driving. Does the "deflector" look like it's in the closed (off) position ? My control arm has been missing, the lever rusted in place, and I finally popped it open to see what's inside. I'd like to get it working again or at least looking functional and the cable hooked up and connected to the dash knob. Anyone with a photo of this assembly would be a great aid. My manuals don't show anything.

It's off.

Thank you.

Lee Allen sells a repair kit for this item.
He advertises it on page 39 lower left corner of the March G&D issue.

Thanks Doug. I should read the G & D more carefully. The more I research these components, the more important role they seem to play, especially in colder climates like here in CT.
I sent Lee an email just now inquiring about his rebuild kit.

It's good to have it working but unless you are planning on driving in the dead of Winter it will get little use. In 16 years I have yet to use mine and I do drive into December unless the roads have been salted prior to then.

All I know is whenever it's about 50 or below, it takes forever to warm up, sputters, spits for 20 minutes until the engine temp is near normal, even playing with the choke doesn't seem to speed things up.

Could be a number of issues such as carb adjustment, but also with the clearance you had on your pistons low compression until enough oil built up on the rings. You may find that when your engine is rebuilt it will act very different. With mine when cold after choking to start I have the choke completely in after 2-5 minutes depending on temperature.