The cable operated temperature control is entirely independent of the vacuum operated air distribution system. There should be no change in air distribution - when the temperature setting is changed. So when you say:
"If I switch to vent it sounds like it is just circling inside the heater box.
If I slide it over to cold, it blows hard out the vents"
That makes me think that there is some kind of interference between the temperature blend door (145) and the distribution valves. There are two directional doors that are linked together by an external rod (153). Only the inner valve (171) is operated directly by a diagram motor (53), the link transfers that motion to the outer valve (163).
If there is any place where the two systems (temp/distribution) could impact each other, it would most likely be in the area of the pivot pins for the blend door and outbd valve.
You must be registered for see images attach
I have an HVAC system installed in my truck that is currently fully operational but has no duct work or any of the adapters installed on the main air handler box. The dash board is stripped down to the steel frame. Before writing this post, I went out and observed - as best as I could - the motion of all the “valves” and dampers.
As stated above, moving the temperature slide full range - from hot to cold - had no impact of any of the distribution components. They did not change position and air flow out of the vents didn’t change – this was true no matter what the directional slide was set to.
The action of the parts you want to observe is directly behind the duct assembly - right over the hump (duct assembly item 189). Remove the single screw securing the floor register (outlet – 197) and the 3 screws holding 189 in place. The duct assembly can be pulled off the main body of the air handler and out of the transition piece (191) that heads over to the driver’s area.
You must be registered for see images attach
To describe the complete action of the dampers in detail would take more time than I have tonight. But if you go out and cycle through the various air flow options, it will quickly become apparent what is (or is supposed to be) happening.