Heater Core Removal/Installation
- Thread starter limppimp
- Start date
1986LX2002
Founding Member
- Aug 15, 2002
- 317
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1986LX2002
Founding Member
- Aug 15, 2002
- 317
- 0
- 0
Yah i had to discharge the AC and take out drain the coolant. It wasnt really a lot of work just time consuming. hard part was finding all the mounting points for the dash under. i'm 6'6" and it was freaking hard as hell getting under there and unbolting stuff. Make sure you buy a good unit though from like 50resto.com of something autozone ones dont last that long at all. I also mounted two ground wires I heard it from an old school guy at a car show once. He's only had to replace his core once since he's owned the car, his was a 83 and was the original owner. anymore questions lemme know.
Just had my dash out of my 87 again. It took 6 hours to take her apart and get the dash back in. Granted I was listening to music and took a lunch break, but I dare you to beat that time AND without loosing any bolts or screws!!! Any questions, let me know. I am an expert.
Well, i am 2 hours into it and i almost have the dash off (of course, i do have the haynes manual telling me how to do it)
1986LX2002- I know what your mean about it being a pain...i am 6'3" and it is hard to get around under everything. I have a core from NAPA on the way, I hope its a good quality. What do you think?
Well, enough break time...time to get back to work.
Thanks for your replies!
1986LX2002- I know what your mean about it being a pain...i am 6'3" and it is hard to get around under everything. I have a core from NAPA on the way, I hope its a good quality. What do you think?
Well, enough break time...time to get back to work.
Thanks for your replies!
Black1987Stang
Active Member
If u discharged the ac and disconected the lines and ubolted the two nuts on the firewall just loosen the dash so u can bring the right side of the dash towards you. Unbolt the glove box door with the 2 screws underneath and take it out. Pull the hole heater core assembly out onto the floormat, stick ur hand where the glove box went then take the 3 or 4 screws (i was missing one) from the top out and then switch out the heater core.
Well, I have the dash off...everything else will have to wait until Friday. That second bolt holding the bottom part of the dash on the drivers side took me 45 minutes to get off! One bolt! 
It was hidden. Oh that sucked.
By the way, is there anything else I should change while I have the dash off? I dont want to do this again.
By the way, I doing all of this to a 94 GT Convertable.
By the way, is there anything else I should change while I have the dash off? I dont want to do this again.
By the way, I doing all of this to a 94 GT Convertable.
Zero_chance
Founding Member
As far as quality goes, weve had several comebacks of Ford units here at the shop lately. The CAP units have actually been lasting surprisingly. We got two in a row from Ford that were leaking before we even installed them. Im not sure who makes them for Ford but theyve been sucking it up lately. On Stangs, its a good idea to clean away the black goo that seats the core or else it could puncture the fins. I have to my core this weekend and its already cold as hell out. Yippeee.
Black1987Stang
Active Member
Wow this is an old thread but make u sure u clean out the old sealer goo and put a new bead down before you put the cover back on.
here is another link that might help with the heater core swap.
http://users2.ev1.net/~calley/Sally/heater_core/
http://users2.ev1.net/~calley/Sally/heater_core/
cardudeusa
Founding Member
Zero_chance said:As far as quality goes, weve had several comebacks of Ford units here at the shop lately. The CAP units have actually been lasting surprisingly. We got two in a row from Ford that were leaking before we even installed them. Im not sure who makes them for Ford but theyve been sucking it up lately. On Stangs, its a good idea to clean away the black goo that seats the core or else it could puncture the fins. I have to my core this weekend and its already cold as hell out. Yippeee.
Thats great, Ford ones leaking before their installed.
trents99
Founding Member
jackchan
New Member
i now have two cars to do this too! man..... it was 41 degrees f, in my car this morning when I drove to work. Clock/temp sign at the local bank read 37 degrees F! I aint no wuss, but I know something intelligent when I see it....(new heater core = comfort)!
cardudeusa
Founding Member
jackchan said:
I have 2 stangs needing heater cores also. I have a buddie thats a mechanic he says he will do both for $400. Sounds worh it to me... Anyone else?
It`s a lousey job,I hated doing it.If you have AC you don`t have to discharge the system.Bend the accumulator mounting brackets forward for the extra clearance.
www.50stangs.com has a tech article on this.
www.50stangs.com has a tech article on this.
