I picked up a '64 F-250 that's been sitting under a juniper tree for over a year and the channel in front of the windshield is full of debiri. Is there any way to easily clean it out? I've been holding a vacuum over it while i work a flat piece of metal in the slot. It's slow going.
john

 

Another related problem through the cowling openings is the heater box will accumulate enough leaves and pine needles or whatnot to start on fire.

What happens is, the blower motor has a wirewound resistor that gets red hot during operation and this has resulted in several trucks totaled by fire. Be sure to check this too.

 

I don't know if the your '64 has the cover plate like my '65 and '66 trucks. Pop the hood and look for a cover plate dead center below the cowl drain channel. If it is take out the screw(s) and remove the cover. I've made flexible attachments that I can suck out the debris. Don't forget to clean out the driver side and passenger side drain channels. You can access them through the vent doors.

Good luck- Tom

 

Drive down the road at 50 mph and open the vents. Probably not the best way to do it but worked pretty well for me

 

Is there any (simple) way to clean out the heater box?
How does a guy even get to it - do you have to remove the entire heater box out from under the dash?

BarnieTrk

 

It depends, of course. The OP, on account of an Arizona truck may not even HAVE a heater. I think they were an option in those days. So.

My 64 has the "fresh air" heater option, and taking off the box cover was able to get to most of it with a vacuum cleaner and a piece of wire, etc. It's a PITA.

 

Thanks, Tedster9.

Yeah, my '65 F250 does has a heater core and it will be a PITA to clean out...as I figured.

BarnieTrk

 

Thanks for the ideas. My '64 does have the access cover in the engine compartment and I will make sure the heater is clean before I turn it on.
john

 

Ditto: If do not have access opening, imagine one could blow the debris into the vent cavity and remove from there. As for cleaning the vent I, or a family member with small hands, reach into the vent cavity and remove as much debris as possible then take the small diameter vacuum hose and pick up what's remaining.

There's also an article in ddavidv's website, 'how to clean' drain points. In disassembling the 65 I found several drain points clogged and consequently developed serious rust issues. May want to browse the site, there's also interesting 'how to' article on the front disc upgrade.

Ford

 

cut the vents out, weld them shut, clean it all out: best advice I ever got on these trucks....