Heater core

[Zachary]

Today I noticed my heater core in my wagon is leaking and the water is dripping out the ac condensation tube on the firewall. How hard are these to change? Does the whole dash have to come out? thanks.

[capriman86]

Your looking at a full days work and the dash needs to come partially out

Check this thread out
http://vb.foureyedpride.com/showthread.php?t=20497

[Zachary]

WOW! Thanks alot on the link. Gives me a good reason to clean up under the dash and get rid of some stuff I dont need.

[arvak]

The job should be done by the Ford engineers who devised the combination
ac/heater in one. I did it once....and swore and swore AND SWORE...........!

My next Fox, an 82 GT T-top which developed the heater core leak, lost the AC altogether as I changed the whole heater system behind the dash and turned the engine compartment pulley into an idler. Now, if that heater core "pops", all I do is remove 4 screws and the small rectangular door into the heater-only box under the dash, remove the heater hose clamps/hoses in the engine compartment and pull the core out of the heater box! Not counting the dumping/refilling of the engine coolant, the job now takes less than a half hour. And I don't swear....well, maybe a bit after I saw the leak.

You have to be REALLY frustrated to go this route, and here I am in the desert SW with summer temps around 110+!!!! :eek: All taken into account, I am :D

[Dean_T]

If you think the Four-eye Mustang and FZ heater cores are hard to change, try an aero nose's. I've done both and I'd rather change an FZ or Four-eye Mustang heater core. Come to think of it, my '89 Hatch is burning up its replacement heater/ac fan switch. Another reason to stick with FZ or Four-eye Mustang.

Dean T

[Ford'sCapri]

If you think the Four-eye Mustang and FZ heater cores are hard to change, try an aero nose's. I've done both and I'd rather change an FZ or Four-eye Mustang heater core. Come to think of it, my '89 Hatch is burning up its replacement heater/ac fan switch. Another reason to stick with FZ or Four-eye Mustang.

Dean T

When the heater core went in my 87 I didn't even try to replace it. I just drove around cold which really sucked with the leather seats.

[Marz]

It's not really that hard. And the dash doesn't need to come out at all. Just unbolt it, drop the steering column and move it forward. Then you can wrestle with the heater core.

Every single fox I've owned (plus a friends) needed the heater core replaced. I've done 7 heater core replacements.

6hr job... tops. 4 hours if you have a friend helping.

[Ltngdrvr]

Okay, wanna come out and change mine???;)

[Marz]

Okay, wanna come out and change mine???;)

Never said I liked doing them for fun!

:P

[Ltngdrvr]

Hot dog!

I just went and pulled a heater core off the shelf here in the store and it is a copper/brass, not the cheapo aluminum ones they are making now. So you guys may want to check your local NAPA and see if they have one. They are pretty inexpensive too, retail price is $36.29.:D

NAPA part number is 660-3126 for a/c cars, 660-3127 for non a/c cars.

Guess that this will be my next project after the motor is up and running.

[Ltngdrvr]

Never said I liked doing them for fun!

:P

Heck, I'd buy the beer, what more could you want???:D

[Ford'sCapri]

Hot dog!

I just went and pulled a heater core off the shelf here in the store and it is a copper/brass, not the cheapo aluminum ones they are making now. So you guys may want to check your local NAPA and see if they have one. They are pretty inexpensive too, retail price is $36.29.:D

NAPA part number is 660-3126 for a/c cars, 660-3127 for non a/c cars.

Guess that this will be my next project after the motor is up and running.

I didn't know the made them out of aluminum now. I had to replace the heater core in my 79 Capri last fall and the new one was copper. It did look like it had been on the shelf for a while though.

[FoxChassis]

What material the cores are constructed of is not the problem.

The 'good' cores have thick tubes and end tanks, and the tubes' necks are brazed together. The junk cores do not.

Also, regular and proper cooling system maintenance makes a huge difference. The cooling system is supposed to be completely flushed and filled with fresh coolant and water every two years.

[Ltngdrvr]

Yeah, most of the heater core suppliers are going to aluminum, cheaper, lighter, cheaper...:roll:

[David Claflin]

Hot dog!

I just went and pulled a heater core off the shelf here in the store and it is a copper/brass, not the cheapo aluminum ones they are making now. So you guys may want to check your local NAPA and see if they have one. They are pretty inexpensive too, retail price is $36.29.:D

NAPA part number is 660-3126 for a/c cars, 660-3127 for non a/c cars.

Guess that this will be my next project after the motor is up and running.

Those you get from autozone last about a year or two. THe last one I bought I thought I'd spend the extra money and get a ford replacement unit, I think it was a tad over $40.