Heater core question - Northern California Ford Owners

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

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Posted by 5LiterSpeeder (Member # 8234) on :

How do you guys with AC get the heater core box down enough to get the heater core out with the Ac lines connected??

Posted by Blind (Member # 3052) on :

take the car to a shop before you start and have the a/c evacuated so you can unhook the lines, then when you're done have it refilled.

Posted by 5LiterSpeeder (Member # 8234) on :

You don't NEED to do that but it would definitely be the easier way to go about the project.

What I did took quite a while without breaking parts or cutting corners but IT CAN be done. I was able to get all four bolts out if the lId to the heater core with about an hour or so of pretty crappy grueling work. Once I finally got the heater core compartment lid off, the trick was getting the lid back in. I bent the back left edge if the lid up but not off with a pair of pliers and had a buddy push it in and on while I held the box assembly out and down as much as I could.
I will always recommend a factory repacement but if what you have is a garbage piece of craaaaap kregan one I'd take the extra money you would have spent and buy yourself a 30 pack or so and take your time.

Posted by rollin5ive0 (Member # 8592) on :

take a 30 min break before you start that process the less cross eyed and pissed off u are the less profanity and frustration that compounds the situation will occur

Posted by Vallejo707 (Member # 10296) on :

quote:
Originally posted by rollin5ive0:
take a 30 min break before you start that process the less cross eyed and pissed off u are the less profanity and frustration that compounds the situation will occur

Posted by KevinK (Member # 9234) on :

Plan on 4-8 hours to complete the job.

Posted by NASTY88 (Member # 9969) on :

Took dam near 8 for me. Got the new core from pep boys to so dont be alarmd if your new one is aluminum thats how theyre coming now adays i believe. Also highly recomend the flow restricters that go into the inlet tube by the fire wall it keep it from building to much pressure in your core making the thing pop.. can look them up on 50resto. And as for the ac lines jus work around them going threw the trouble of them being connected is well worth the money a shop would rob you of to mess with ur ac. Good luck and definatly take breaks that job suxxxx

Posted by 93ChpLuu (Member # 10787) on :

I used this article when I replaced my heater core..it was helpful and its much easier to disconnect the AC lines in order to remove the lid of the heater core. I tried to do it with out because I didnt have the tool to disconnect the line it wasnt budggin so i just bought one for 5 bucks and it makes it way easier..

http://www.mylrs.com/blogs/lrs/archive/2009/03/31/1979-1993-Fox-Mustang-Heater-Core-Replacement.aspx

Posted by Stang66 (Member # 10504) on :

took me about 3 hours

Posted by 5LiterSpeeder (Member # 8234) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Stang66:
took me about 3 hours

Damm! 3 hrs with the Ac lines connected?? My hat is off to you. It took me at least twice that long but I was in no hurry also. How did you manage to get the 2 8mm screws out of the back of the lid so quickly?

Posted by 87 hatch (Member # 8100) on :

Did mine in 1 hour 45 min with some help from a friend

Posted by Stang66 (Member # 10504) on :

quote:
Originally posted by 5LiterSpeeder:

quote:
Originally posted by Stang66:
took me about 3 hours
Damm! 3 hrs with the Ac lines connected?? My hat is off to you. It took me at least twice that long but I was in no hurry also. How did you manage to get the 2 8mm screws out of the back of the lid so quickly?

Actually the one i was working on had lid cut out above the heater core to take it out quicker.. Lol

Posted by tribal3579warrior (Member # 5663) on :

This is the article that I used way back when this feature came out in the stands. This was my very 1st time ever working on any car besides an oil change and replacing my brakes. This helped me out tremendously and didn't have to discharge the A/C.

http://www.mustangmonthly.com/howto/mump_0102_heater_core_replacement/index.html

Posted by 4.6WPRStang (Member # 8685) on :

did heater core change in my 96 gt mustang an it was a pain in the ass took my time so all together around 8 hours dont want to do it again lol

[ April 06, 2011, 12:18 PM: Message edited by: 4.6WPRStang ]

Posted by hidnn.o.s. (Member # 1219) on :

quote:
Originally posted by 87 hatch:
Did mine in 1 hour 45 min with some help from a friend

Posted by hidnn.o.s. (Member # 1219) on :

quote:
Originally posted by tribal3579warrior:
This is the article that I used way back when this feature came out in the stands. This was my very 1st time ever working on any car besides an oil change and replacing my brakes. This helped me out tremendously and didn't have to discharge the A/C.

http://www.mustangmonthly.com/howto/mump_0102_heater_core_replacement/index.html

ALL of the heater core replacements I've done have this article next to the car I'm working on. This is a GREAT step be step article. Nowadays I use it more to put the misc nuts and bolts ontop of each picture etc, but this article and a few hours of time makes for a clean install.

JUST MAKE SURE YOU PUT NEW COOLANT BACK IN AND IF THE COOLANT IS RUSTY THAT COMES OUT, HAVE THE ENTIRE COOLING SYSTEM FLUSHED AND FILLED WITH NEW COOLANT [Wink]

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