Originally Posted by
bee utey
Buy a 4 port heater valve, remove the vacuum actuator, operate by cable or twist of wire. Easy. VS-VY Commodore V6 uses a 16mm version, some Fords use a 19mm version. The 4 port valve ensures constant flow through that circuit regardless of position, keeps engine block/head temp even.
Failing that use vacuum from the brake booster area, and operate the heater valve through a vacuum solenoid and a switch or microswitch on the heater controls. XD-XF Falcons used to have an ideal vacuum changeover valve on their heater box to turn off the heater valve. Hard to find these days I suspect.
Another trick is to just wrap a cable tie around the vacuum heater valve for now, remove it in winter.