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Heater Core fix

  • Thread starter Thread starter Thebigwhopp
  • Start date Start date Apr 6, 2020
  • Tags Tags
    foxbody foxbody 5.0 coolant leak resolution. heater core
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Thebigwhopp

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Apr 6, 2020
#1
  • Apr 6, 2020
  • #1
I have heard several people say in different places its possible to replace the heater core without pulling the dash through the glove compartment. Has anyone done this or can think of a way it would be possible? I was thinking of cuting the box of where you can see it in the dash. Any advice?
 

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General karthief

wonder how much it would cost to ship you a pair
Mod Dude
Aug 25, 2016
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#2
  • Apr 6, 2020
  • #2
Not gonna happen.
 
Reactions: Shakerhood
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Thebigwhopp

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#3
  • Apr 6, 2020
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General karthief said:
Not gonna happen.
Click to expand...
Any explanation? car is an 85 forgot to add that
 

91TwighlightGT

20+ Year Stangneter
Sep 8, 2002
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Apr 6, 2020
#4
  • Apr 6, 2020
  • #4
Just bite the bullet. It sucks, but it's just nuts and bolts at the end of the day. Get a quality heater core.
 
D

Deleted member 215073

Apr 6, 2020
#5
  • Apr 6, 2020
  • #5
Do you have air conditioning? If not it's pretty easy in an '85. It does come out through the glove box.
 
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Thebigwhopp

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#6
  • Apr 6, 2020
  • #6
JMGlasgow said:
Do you have air conditioning? If not it's pretty easy in an '85. It does come out through the glove box.
Click to expand...
Car came with Ac but it's not setup anymore
 
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Deleted member 215073

Apr 6, 2020
#7
  • Apr 6, 2020
  • #7
Dash needs removed then.
 
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Thebigwhopp

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#8
  • Apr 6, 2020
  • #8
JMGlasgow said:
Dash needs removed then.
Click to expand...
Alright first time removing dash this should be fun
 

Adieu

Easy there, this ain't a dating site.
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#9
  • Apr 6, 2020
  • #9


I pull dashes as part of my job. That's a BMW X5 dash removed for a passenger airbag replacement.

Here's some tips:
1. Get a manual. Haynes, Chilton, Clymer, Ford, it doesn't matter. Having step-by-step directions helps a ton.

2. Take pictures. Smartphones are wonderful things. As you take things apart, take pictures. It gives you a reference for reassembly.

3. Stay organized. Magnetic trays, ziplock bags, masking tape and a sharpie... These are all your friends.

4. If it doesn't come out easily, double-check your work. If it's hanging up on something, don't keep trying to jerk it loose. Use a mirror, a flashlight, an inspection camera, whatever you have at your disposal to see what's going on.

5. If possible, have a helper. Dashes are wide and bulky, having someone on each side makes it much easier.
 
Reactions: JustinL and General karthief

Mstng93SSP

You have a nice rear end there Dave.
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Apr 6, 2020
#10
  • Apr 6, 2020
  • #10
Removing the dash is not hard. It is a bunch of nuts and bolts....nothing more. There are numerous videos on youtube showing the fox dash removal. Follow those and you should be fine.
 
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Thebigwhopp

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#11
  • Apr 7, 2020
  • #11
JMGlasgow said:
Do you have air conditioning? If not it's pretty easy in an '85. It does come out through the glove box.
Click to expand...
After looking at the lmr picture I’m starting to think the car did not come with AC here’s a pic of the setup
 

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Thebigwhopp

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#12
  • Apr 7, 2020
  • #12
Thebigwhopp said:
After looking at the lmr picture I’m starting to think the car did not come with AC here’s a pic of the setup
Click to expand...
Bump
 
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Deleted member 215073

Apr 7, 2020
#13
  • Apr 7, 2020
  • #13
Do you have A/C controls in the car?
 
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Thebigwhopp

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#14
  • Apr 7, 2020
  • #14
JMGlasgow said:
Do you have A/C controls in the car?
Click to expand...
 

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D

Deleted member 215073

Apr 7, 2020
#15
  • Apr 7, 2020
  • #15
That car had A/C at one point. You'll still need to pull the dash.
 
T

Thebigwhopp

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#16
  • Apr 7, 2020
  • #16
JMGlasgow said:
That car had A/C at one point. You'll still need to pull the dash.
Click to expand...
alright so ill have to buy the ac heater core
 
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Thebigwhopp

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Apr 7, 2020
#17
  • Apr 7, 2020
  • #17
JMGlasgow said:
That car had A/C at one point. You'll still need to pull the dash.
Click to expand...
I don't think it's factory a/c so should I go with heater core w/o factory a/c option
 
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Thebigwhopp

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Dec 5, 2018
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Apr 7, 2020
#18
  • Apr 7, 2020
  • #18
Thebigwhopp said:
I don't think it's factory a/c so should I go with heater core w/o factory a/c option
Click to expand...
I think mine would match the left option of this LMR picture
 

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D

Deleted member 215073

Apr 7, 2020
#19
  • Apr 7, 2020
  • #19
On a non A/C car the heater core box has a door you can slide the core out of. Your car doesn't have that door. It had factory A/C at one time. The LMR picture on the right is an EFI setup. Google 1985 Mustang GT engine bay pictures and you'll see how it is supposed to look. The A/C lines are routed different on carbureted cars.
 
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50notch90

Member
Jun 3, 2006
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Greenville IN
Apr 10, 2020
#20
  • Apr 10, 2020
  • #20
I thought I would suggest testing your new one before you install it. Doing this once is bad enough but it would suck to do it twice. You can submerge it in a bucket of water and plug one end while adding a small amount of air pressure to the other. As long as you don't see any bubbles you're good. I was told lung power is good enough and it has worked for me or I've been lucky. It's not a fun job but it's not as bad as you think. Good luck. Oh and be careful putting the hoses back on. You can ruin the new core if you're too aggressive.
 
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