Engine Coolant and Radio Issues

[Don7Up]

Hey All,
Mostly new to the Fox platform. I had a 78 Fairmont back in 91 for a winter beater, but that was a tool that only had to run. I just inherited my bro's 7Up and it has a few issues to sort so I can put the miles on it he wanted to.

Got plates on it a couple weeks ago, and the first 2 rides I smelled antifreeze. None dripping under the glovebox. Yesterday I drove over to his garage, got out and it was dribbling behind the right front wheel under the heater core hoses. Left a puddle the size of a frisbee. Drove home (6 miles) popped the hood, grabbed a light and see no leaks anywhere. Nothing on the ground either. In 50 yrs of wrenching I've never seen a coolant leak fix itself. I put it on the jacks this morning and heat cycled it twice. Not a drip. The only fixing I've done so far is change the temp sender as the gauge never moved and now works fine, and not leaking there. Looks like the heater core was changed in the past as it has worm clamps on the core tubes and the OE strap clamps on the engine tubes. Do these heater boxes have a drain to leak on the engine side of the firewall instead of all over the carpet like when my 65 Comet's heater core went? I didn't see any trails from the frost plugs. Any ideas?

The radio. The damn radio. Works fine on AM/FM, but the cassette is fubar on the left channel. Probably why I found a box in the garage labeled 90 Mustang radio. It has a combo radio/equalizer unit with the football shaped amp. Also had the U tools. I pushed those in the recommended 1" and the radio loosened up enough to wiggle, but no way wanted to do any sliding out. What is the trick to getting it out? Thanks for any help. Regards, Don

 

[Don7Up]

 

[gkomo]

For the radio I’ve had luck pushing them in to ‘unlock’ the clips, then sort of pinch them towards each other while pulling the radio out. Pinch each U tool inwards.

 

[AeroCoupe]

The if the heater core has a leak it will drip coolant out of the AC condensate line which is just below the accumulator/dryer on the passenger side firewall. You will smell it in the car if there is antifreeze in the mix.

 

[DadLife0724]

I had intake manifold off recently and when I refilled coolant I had overflow tank puke a little and then stop. Did you top off coolant and burp system before you took it on the first ride?

 

[Don7Up]

Went out this morning to look at it. Small puddle of ATF, but since I have no service records I'm just going change the filter. Heat cycled it again and it's for sure the heater core leaking. Why it didn't leak yesterday is weird. Found a bypass kit on Amazon. This car will never see the road in cold weather. As for the radio, it's stuck more than I want to mess with. Looks like this is a Best Buy geek squad job lol! Thank you much for the ideas.

Regards, Don

 

[91AOD5.0LX]

regarding the radio….. Once the U tool is inserted do not remove it. Leave the tool inserted and push it in deep to ensure the side clips on the radio are defeated. Don’t be shy with it. Use your fingers inside the coin holder to push up on the radio from underneath while shaking and pulling toward you. It should slide out. If the car is an auto it needs to be out of park for enough clearance to remove. No Geek squad, you can do this Don. Patience. lol

 

[AeroCoupe]

View: https://youtu.be/sLQNWCuM-Z4?si=ZuABTmbzAENgbrke

 

[KRUISR]

I usually use a piece of metal coat hanger bent into a U shape to fit in the holes. Once in, I believe you need to push outward and pull at the same time to release the radio because the clip locks outward from the radio onto the trim. The tool connects to them and by pushing outward on the tools the locking tabs get moved inward thus clearing the trim.

 

[General karthief]

Aw come on, geek squad? For a car radio?
I admit 90% of the radio swaps I've done are plug and play (pretty much).
Other people (shop 'pros') working on your stuff don't care about your junk, I've had to straighten out 'pro work' many times, most times it's hidden so you don't see it.
Do the work yourself...
CAOMA
Cheep Ass Old Man Advice.

 

[Don7Up]

Thanks for the encouragement. Got the heater core bypass in, and tried again on the radio. I think I mistook the instructions on the u-tools. The left side would always wiggle so put that one in first. Then when pushing the right in, just past the contact point it popped out. Think I was jamming it in too far. I'll be back to let you know if that radio/equalizer combo works. Got a couple more questions. The heater control bezel above the radio looks to be held in by 1 screw? It wasn't there. Also, the dash bezel is missing the screw that goes up on the left side of the steering column. If you know where I can find part #'s for these interior hardware I'd appreciate it. Thanks again, you guys rock. Regards, Don

 

[General karthief]

If someone can post a pic of said fasteners I probably have some in my stash.

 

[Don7Up]

Well, that didn't take long. I thought I could get it to make noise but have a couple more questions. Here's a pic of the radio/eq I have. I'm guessing those flat black and grey plugs will replace what I find on the back of the stock radio. However, neither my Chilton or FSM shows where that ground wire is connected. Also, the FSM shows an EQ filter that bolts under a front seat. I don't have that. Is it required? Any idea where that ground wire bolts to? The geek squad option is looking good at the moment lol!

Edit, I checked out the LMR parts sight and found the answers to my hardware questions.

 

[DadLife0724]

Thanks for the encouragement. Got the heater core bypass in, and tried again on the radio. I think I mistook the instructions on the u-tools. The left side would always wiggle so put that one in first. Then when pushing the right in, just past the contact point it popped out. Think I was jamming it in too far. I'll be back to let you know if that radio/equalizer combo works. Got a couple more questions. The heater control bezel above the radio looks to be held in by 1 screw? It wasn't there. Also, the dash bezel is missing the screw that goes up on the left side of the steering column. If you know where I can find part #'s for these interior hardware I'd appreciate it. Thanks again, you guys rock. Regards, Don

I'm diggin your seat covers.....
Thats all the input I have, sorry.

 

[General karthief]

Look farther under the dash behind where the radio came out.
That's where my amp was on my 89.

 

[Don7Up]

Fiddled with it yesterday. Ran the tape head cleaner thru the stock radio about 20 times. Got the left channel working on the tape deck, but only when the tape plays in the reverse direction. Weird, but I'm okay with that. Took a test drive and no coolant smell or leaks, and the B52's bombed out Love Shack just fine lol! That wraps up this thread. Thanks again for the help. Regards, Don

 

[WillWho?]

Nice 7-Up!

There are two sets of radio connectors on Fox bodies. One set is for the radio and does not include an amp, while the other is for premium sound, including the amp.

The amp changed places a couple of times. At one point, it moved under the front passenger seat. Most often, it is behind and above the heating and air controls. If an amp is present, you probably do not need to change it. Connect everything to the replacement and see if you get beats.

Save the broken radio. A few members overhaul them, some add Bluetooth. You may decide you want the Bluetooth. Then you can send me the one you are currently using.

If you need radio pinouts, I have them. Sometimes critters get in and snack on the insulation, creating a host of issues.

 

[Don7Up]

I bought an aftermarket radio install kit and a Pioneer cd deck. I'll get those in later. Right now the tranny gasket goo is drying because the 3rd hand ATP gasket is a joke. That AOD pan is real tight fit going back in. Thanks for the heads up! Regards, Don