HEATER CORE

[1991GreeNLX]

when the heater core goes out i know you have to replace it but what all do you have to remove besides the center consule? How long did it take most of yall? Someone told me to get ground strips ,and where can i find or get or make those????????????????????? O yeah they also said my heater core will last longer is this true?

 

[ECU5.0]

it took me about 7 hours to do it without any help and not knowing what i was doing really. as far as the ground straps helping the heater core last ive never heard of that. you have to take out the entire dash if its a 87-93 i believe. the cars that came without a/c you can get to the heater core through the glove box...but if you have a/c than youre in for a treat

 

[alanw6]

It took about 14 hours to do mine, my first "mod" when I bought my car. The previous owner couldn't figure out why he was loosing some coolant over time, but it didn't take long to figure out.

The entire dash came out, but I took it as an opportunity to clean these parts well and do an alarm install worthy of an award (finding the brain would be an extreme challenge).

I've also never heard of the ground strap remedy you mention.

Good luck, and remember to get a Ford heater core and not a parts store model, or you'll probably repeat this wonderful job sooner than you'd like!

Alan

 

[Boss_Mustang_69]

It's a pita, It took even longer for me than ECU5.0. My advice is get the haynes repair manual, It will save you time and frustration! Good Luck!

 

[Blk91stang]

Welcome to the worst job you will ever do on your mustang!! Took me a full weekend to do it because it was my first time and you gotta discharge and recharge the a/c. I had to remove the center console fully, drop the steering column, and detach the whole bracing for the dash in order to pull it away from the winshield. Im sure someone will post up the tutorial site that was laid out pretty nicely step-by-step how to remove and install a heater core with pictures (a Haynes or Chilton manual would help also).. Just remember to LABEL EVERYTHING and leave yourself plenty of time just in case you run into a problem. Good Luck and have fun!!

 

[90mustangGT]

You have to remove the HVAC unit to get to it. Well, if you look under there that is the entire guts of the dash. You need to discharge the A/C and everything. Maby it would be a good idea to replace the A/C evaporator as well since you are in there.

All I have to say is PITA.

 

[1991GreeNLX]

****! sounds like alot of work makes me not even want change it but i do want AC and yeah i was gonna get a FORD heater core yall already gave me a head ache LOL

well i guess i have to do what i have to do

 

[TRWXXA]

It's a tough job, but you can do it without discharging the a/c and disconnecting the lines.

Do a search -- either on Stangnet or the web -- there are plenty of articles out there that'll help you.

Without discharging the a/c, you can expect the job to take at least 6 or 7 hours. If you can find someone who is willing to do it for $300 - $400 bucks, you might want to take them up on their offer. Stealerships... er, um... dealerships will charge you $700.

 

[trbkrb]

Rookies..... LOL! I've done it twice on my car, and need to do it again. Once you've done it one time, the second time is much easier. First time took me like 6 hours. And that was on my own with only a Chilton's manual way before the internet. It only took me 4 hours the last time I did it start to finish. You do not have to discharge the AC. I just cut an access hole in the case to get to mine once I removed the dash and sealed it up with silicon and duct tape. Here is a good article:

http://pw1.netcom.com/~skent/mustang/1990/heater_core/hcore.html

Plus there are several long threads about it on here and Corral.

Just to give you something to shoot for, I know a Ford AC technician that can do the complete job in a little over 2 hours. Of course he's done probably hundreds of them and know all the tricks.

I'll be doing the job shortly myself!

Good luck!