This is topic Heater Core in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by Scoobysnack (Member # 6721) on :
 
I have a 92 5.0 and was wondering if it is hard to replace the heater core. Is it worth my time to do or should I take it to a shop? Thank you.
 

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Posted by castor (Member # 2765) on :
 
http://www.californiafords.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=6;t=015957#000000
 

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Posted by JohnB (Member # 969) on :
 
Send this guy a message Hidnnos. He'll hook you up at about 1/4 the price of a shop.
 

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Posted by subsGT (Member # 6015) on :
 
If you have any kind of mechanical aptitude and a day to devote to the job you can do it yourself...there are plenty of sites on the web that can give you directions...just buy the OEM part from Ford and git 'er done!
 

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Posted by Jdub07 (Member # 2728) on :
 
First heater core took about 12 hours on a buddies car with both of us.

Second heater core on my car by myself about 3 hours.

It's hard the first time cause you've never done it.
 

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Posted by Scoobysnack (Member # 6721) on :
 
Thank you guys for your help. This is the first car I really have ever worked on and really want to learn to do it myself. Today I am changing out the rear axle so I hope all goes well with that. Then off to work on the heater core
 

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Posted by Jdub07 (Member # 2728) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Scoobysnack:
Thank you guys for your help. This is the first car I really have ever worked on and really want to learn to do it myself. Today I am changing out the rear axle so I hope all goes well with that. Then off to work on the heater core

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just done forget that 10mm bolt under the dash on the passenger side to fire wall...I think it's a 10 mil but if the dash doesn't come off don't force it...just means you missed a screw. Good luck and good for you trying it yourself!
 

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Posted by hidnn.o.s. (Member # 1219) on :
 
Search the internet, there are good step by step instructions out there. Expect it to take 5 hours your first time. The dash does not come out all the way and if you have A/C you'll have to cut your box and when re-sealing it just be careful to make sure their are no sharp edges around where the core will be or you'll do the job again right after.

It's a PITA

If you have any questions feel free to pm me throughout the process,

Don

[ June 25, 2007, 02:03 PM: Message edited by: hidnn.o.s. ]
 

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Posted by Scoobysnack (Member # 6721) on :
 
Thank you all for your input. I got the rear end on my car today. Some friends came over and I learned I don't want to do that again...lol Gonna bypass the heater core for the summer and work on it when I have a little more time. I figure I'm not gonna need a heater right now
 

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Posted by opie (Member # 7693) on :
 
If you use a cordless drill to remove-install the bolts its super cake. I did it with a helper in 2 hrs not even pushing it. It was his first time and Ive done a few.
 

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Posted by 92stangLX (Member # 3252) on :
 
Here is a link for u to check out

http://www.mustangmonthly.com/howto/5652/

I don't think it is very hard. It is just time consuming and a real PITA. Be sure u use real Ford parts and not aftermarket. Also, I have heard you want to put a flow restrictor in your new heater core (or get a hose that has one built in) as it will help it last longer. Make sure you are organized and put all the little nuts, bolts, and screws in baggies so you know where they go when you put the shit back together.

Good luck
 

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Posted by 2tone50 (Member # 6003) on :
 
Avoid the headache! Take it to hidnn.o.s
 

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Posted by jph331 (Member # 665) on :
 
Directions I posted sometime ago for a fox body.

The heater core is pretty easy after you do it a couple of times. Your first time will take about 5 hours. The last one I did was took me 2 hours and that was while at work. Not what I was supposed to be doing.

1 remove center console and heater control assy from dash.

2 start removing dash but not completly.

a: remove top cover, speaker covers then remove the 4 or 5 7mm screws. May need to remove pass speaker to remove wire

b: Remove both kick panels and the 8mm screws holding dash (metal bracket). On passenger side there is a couple of connectors in the kick panel are that need to be disconnected so the dash can be pulled away.

c: remove paneling under steering wheel(dash panel also) and the 4 8mm bolts holding the 6inch metal bracket for the metal dash support, 2 from the front 2 from the bottom.

d: remove hood release bracket 2 nuts and then the 4 nuts that hold up the steering column. Lower column

e: under the column is a 12mm or 13mm nut holding the dash to pedal assy bracket. Loosen nut

f: remove instrument cluster completely.

g: You should be able to pull the dash from the passenger side and swing over to the drivers side. There may be some wires that need to be disconnected. I will sometimes remove the drivers seat so the column is completely out of the way.


3 remove 7/16 screw from bottom of heater control box on the passenger side.(screw is hard to see. Its located on the bottom near the transmission tunnel)

a: from engine compartment side remove vaccum hose that goes through the firewall above the accumulator.(black cylinder with hoses that go to ac compressor.

b: remove 2 7/16 nuts holding accumulator to firewall. Now you need to bend these brackets to gain access to the 2 7/16 nuts underneath bracket. May need to remove 8mm bolt holding bracket to accululator.

c: remove heater hoses.

d: from inside remove the 2 7/16 bolts holding heater box to car. They are the 2 metal brackets that go from the box to the car at the top of box

e: the heater box should now be able to pull out and down enough to access heater core cover screws. Heater box does not come out completely

f: remove the top 3 screws. 2 front ones are easy. left rear is somewhat difficult. Now the right rear is where you take a long screwdriver or something similar and break the ear of the cover. Just place your screwdriver by the screw and give it one good tap with a hammer. Should break pretty easy.

g: The cover has some sealent goo but usually comes off with a little prying. Now actually removing the cover is kinda tricky. A little twist here and there should work.

h: remove heater core

i: pressure test heater core before installing is a good idea.

4 when reinstalling heater core cover be careful not to damage heater core. I will sometimes grind down the edges on the rear of the cover.

5: Reassemble

I think I covered everything. I could have removed heater core in the amount of time it took me to write this down.
 

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Posted by maeco (Member # 2578) on :
 
after doing it the the first time,i would definatelty not do it again.paying don is well worth it.good luck.
 

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