Engine Replacing A Heater Core

strokedmustan66 · Jul 25, 2010

Thank you mustanguy, but I know there are 4 screws for the cover. I just need to know how people where able to get there box out past the back screws with out taking off the AC in my 89 gt.

donald1956 · Nov 6, 2011

why cant a hole be cut in firewall to replace heater core in 1989 mustang just replace it with new piece of metal curious has anyone ever tried this will it work it would make a hard job simple the next time

FourEyed · Nov 7, 2011

donald1956 said:
why cant a hole be cut in firewall to replace heater core in 1989 mustang just replace it with new piece of metal curious has anyone ever tried this will it work it would make a hard job simple the next time

You maybe onto something..

I think it would be great to be able get to it through the Cowl Vent Grill somehow. you know.. just reach in there and pull the sucker out.

1killercoupe · May 9, 2012

one of the best threads ever im doing mine 2morow with a lot more of a understanding than a repair manual gives keep up the good work

twocent06 · Jan 16, 2013

this is very helpful with the pix and all

HDTony · May 12, 2013

glad this thread is here. just ordered mine up, soooooo not looking forward to doing this in my 91. my 65 took me about 45 minutes. this looks to be a day of hell

The Shape · May 13, 2013

Great thread, I did one about 8 years ago using just a haynes manual and it took me almost 8 hours. Wish I would have had all these tips and pictures handy then.

88gt373 · May 13, 2013

man... i had so many extra parts after i did mine.. ford didnt really need all those nuts and bolts. gave me a better 60-foot time

1200gt · May 15, 2013

Shaolin Crane said:
did anyone realize this thread is almost 4 years old?

That's the BEAUTY of Stangnet Forums, people still benefit from information no matter how old it is, as long as the car remain the same...

BTW, I had my other 86 a/c done by an Certified A/C Mech. and I watched them pull the whole dash in one piece, never disconnecting MOST of the wiring (1986 convt.) and using coat-hangers to hold the dash up on the top-latches while they pulled out the heater box assembly. This was one of those days that I was glad that I snooped around looking into the shop while the guys worked.

Now I have my other 86 vert to do myself - that-is, whenever I finally get some spare time! Working like a dog lately.

This was a great post and for good reason it is a "STICKY" Post.

1200gt · May 15, 2013

xmustanguyx said:
I changed the heater core in my 87GT years ago, i remember wishing i would have taken a pic of all the stuff i had to remove to get at it. I changed it while parked on the street in from of my house and boy was that a mistake!
After all was said and done I couldn't believe how inexpensive the core was and how ridiculously expensive labor is...but at least i knew why in the case of the hidden heater core.
Has anyone ever tried to make a simpler way to the "hack job" method? I mean incorporating a clean cut out and rivet system to aid in future exchanges?
Usually I only change the core once if at all with each fox i get but it would still be good to know if i had to do it again on the same car it would be a 20 minute process instead of 2-3 hours.
Like some previous people stated it can be done in 1.5 hours once you get familiar with it!

Thisis a GOOD question!

I was thinking the same thing. Would have been nice to have a panel to remove in the engine compartment where you could just slide it out from there; but then Ford would have missed out on all that Service Dept. Money KILL-Hem! KILL-Hem!

Actually as engineered, the engine would be in the way, but dreams never die!

1200gt · May 15, 2013

xmustanguyx said:
Here's what my ALLDATA says:

Hope that helps.

I wonder if all the YEAR FOX MUSTANG Heater Core Assembly's are the same???? ie. 79-93 Fox.

RacEoHolic330 · May 16, 2013

They are all the same from 79-93.

7991LXnSHO · May 16, 2013

Actually, the early ones without factory air were at least installed differently. I thought that was a question asked when I got the part - "AC or no AC/dealer air?" My 1979 with dealer air was a lot simpler operation. Remover 4 (or so) screws for the glove box, and there was a nice plate on the firewall, that once removed let the heater core fall into your lap. I was SHOCKED first time I read what it might take on my 91! This is some of the worst engineering I have seen.

RacEoHolic330 · May 16, 2013

Yes. I should have clarified that they are all the same during the years and ford didn't change the core designs, the a/c and non-a/c cores are definitely different though.

HDTony · Jun 3, 2013

somebody shoot me!!

Posting from under my dash

mikestang63 · Jun 3, 2013

You'd think by now somebody would have come out with a replacement firewall piece that you could either weld or screw in. It would make this PITA job like an hour instead of 6 hours. I've see guys hack and cut out the HVAC box and then silicone or putty it back together.

HDTony · Jun 5, 2013

I have 3 screws out of this damn lid at this point. can not get to the passenger front screw. I think I may be cutting the cowl tomorrow and building a sheet metal piece. Ive got 4 evenings into this this already

arnie93lx · Jun 25, 2013

Did you remove the heater box completely?

Spaz · Aug 3, 2013

I was really just trying to replace the evaporator for an all-new Classic Auto Air a/c system. My plan was to replace the heater core while I had it apart. After trying to figure out how to get the evaporator out for about a half -hour, I figured I'd check online. It seems you can't remove the evaporator without removing the ENTIRE HVAC box assembly. So that new evaporator will be sitting in my house for years.

milanorama · Sep 1, 2013

Wow thank god there aren't any razor blades in my toolbox. By the way, if you can't get to the back 2 screws on the heater box, I just pried it open with my hand, stabbed a right-angle o-ring pick in the side of the core and yanked, she came right out

Engine Replacing A Heater Core

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