Replacing A/C Evaporator core in 87-93

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Mod Dude

Feb 18, 2001

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Aug 10, 2011

#1

• Aug 10, 2011

• #1

Has anyone here replaced their A/C evaporator core or know a good write-up to do so?

I've seen one before that involved cutting the HVAC box, but i really don't want to do that at all. Theres gotta be a no-cut way right??

Getting the dash off is no problem, i can do that in an hour. It's once i get down to the HVAC box, what next?



I'm putting the AC back in my Mustang and the original Evap has been let open for 10+ years. I looked inside with a borescope and it's dirty as hell. I'm not sure flushing it would clean it properly. I wold just feel better with a new core given my investment cost so far in all NEW Ford A/C components and R-12

 

Chrome_Rust

Member

Dec 5, 2008

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Findlay, Ohio

Aug 10, 2011

#2

• Aug 10, 2011

• #2

heat gun and seperate the box. It is what I did when I put a new core in my 98 box when I had the fox ends tig'd on. It is glued together, and the heat made it able to come apart.

 

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.

15 Year Member

Jul 6, 2006

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Aug 11, 2011

#3

• Aug 11, 2011

• #3

Good to know. I am replacing my evaporator and heater core very soon.

 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Mod Dude

Feb 18, 2001

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Aug 11, 2011

#4

• Aug 11, 2011

• #4

Ok..so box needs to come out then.

Sounds like a winter job.

 

Onefine88

Previously 89SSC18

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Aug 3, 2006

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Aug 11, 2011

#5

• Aug 11, 2011

• #5

Yep I agree with the above ,been there done it. "A few times" LOL

Remove the box, put it on a bench and split it on the seam.

Since there's so much much work involved in removing the box, you might as well replace the heater core as well while you have the box out and open in front of you.

Good Luck

 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Mod Dude

Feb 18, 2001

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Aug 11, 2011

#6

• Aug 11, 2011

• #6

I agree with you on the core...

I shgould do it while i'm there....but what's on the market for heater cores? i went out of my way to find an OEM Ford evap core, what's the chance that I can find an OEM Ford core and not some cheap chinese crap?

The one that's in there is OEM and works fine. Kinda sad when i trust it more than aftermarket junk

 

Noobz347

Stangnet Facilities Maint Tech... Er... Janitor

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Jan 4, 1985

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Aug 11, 2011

#7

• Aug 11, 2011

• #7

5L5...

You should still be able to order one from the dealership. I did mine what... 3 or so years ago and that's where I got mine.

I cut the box though. I wanted access so that I could do it again relatively easily, if I needed to.

 

Chrome_Rust

Member

Dec 5, 2008

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Findlay, Ohio

Aug 11, 2011

#8

• Aug 11, 2011

• #8

it would only take you another 20 minutes to pull the box once you have the dash out. Even with my swapped dash I can have the box out in 30 minutes. Meaning sitting there on the work bench. But then again I have had this box out so many times during mock-up that it is second nature to me....

 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

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Feb 18, 2001

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Aug 11, 2011

#9

• Aug 11, 2011

• #9

I'm not worried about taking the box out. I've been "there" so many times i know how to get it out.

Just had questions about getting the core out. Pics i've seen show hacking the box apart and rigging it all back together. I want to hack as little as possible.

I'll try and score a core in the meantime. I'll tackle this when winter comes

 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician

Aug 8, 2003

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NJ

Aug 11, 2011

#10

• Aug 11, 2011

• #10

Ford still has heater cores.

 

ID89GT

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May 26, 2008

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Aug 11, 2011

#11

• Aug 11, 2011

• #11

The heater core has a cover that screws on top to cover it, no hacking needed. As for the the evap. you will want to do the heat to break the glue apart. Once the HVAC box is out of the car its all relatively easy.

 

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.

15 Year Member

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Aug 11, 2011

#12

• Aug 11, 2011

• #12

I am seriously contemplating sourcing a spare box for when I do mine. That way it will be all done and I can just slide it in. I cant see one costing a whole lot.

 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Mod Dude

Feb 18, 2001

43,233

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Aug 11, 2011

#13

• Aug 11, 2011

• #13

I thought the same. Figure I'd get a spare box, and swap it out after putting the new cores in. Problem is a box on eBay is gonna run near $100+.

Guess I'll just pull mine...not like car is gonna go anywhere when there is 2 feet of snow outside


Oh and ford heater core...$120

 

ID89GT

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Aug 12, 2011

#14

• Aug 12, 2011

• #14

I picked up a whole hvac box for pretty cheap at the junk yard. Just make sure the fan works when you put it in haha

 

FoMoCo17

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Apr 1, 2011

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Aug 13, 2011

#15

• Aug 13, 2011

• #15

Just did mine in the Spring. Box splits apart with a screwdriver. Be careful and work screwdriver around box slowly and it separates pretty easily. Drill about four or five sets of 1/8" holes around perimeter of box (where you can get a tie-rap through) above and below the flanges. Once you replace everything, run a bead of slicone around the box where it separated and tie- wrap it shut tightly. The combination of silicone and tie-wraps will seal it properly and hold it together. Use small tie-wraps in the 1/8" holes. Contact Team Ford Parts in Nevada or on the internet ... they had the best price on the internet. Everything to rebuild this box only takes about an hour ... its actually more work getting the dash out and back in. Good Luck!