How hard is the heater core to replace in my 86 ext cab f150 auto efi 302? How much will the heater core cost?
Thanks
Dustin

 

I've replaced cores on both my '83, and '84. The '83 has A/C.

Both cores cost me around $25 at the local stores.

There are other topic threads here that go into detail what has to be done. The A/C version is easier to do, IMHO...

After you change the core, everytime you turn the heater on, you will feel kinda warm inside, because you know that YOU did it yourself, and didn't have to pay someone else.

I really like that feeling.

 

i love that feeling, but yeh hes right there cheap and pretty easy to do even if the garage make u pay a lot-it just takes some patience. Even if the whole dash has to be pulled its nothing to worry about because if you cant finish it before you go to work the next day just drive without a dash. Good luck!

Eric

 

I'm not mechanically inclined, but I did mine in about three hours, it took me long, cause I had to buy screw drivers cause I lost mine, but I was easy, and fun at the same time..

 

but it can be stressfull trying to find all the screws hold the dash in.

 

I have to replace my heater core in my 1980 F350. I've never done one before but is there anyway to get around not having to take the dash all apart?

 

Very easy to do....cost $14 at autozone......

 

The easyist way to replace the heater core is to pull the glovebox out and you can get right to the heater box. remove the cover disconnect the heater hoses under the hood and pull the heater core out. and installation is the reverse of removal.
did mine in about 45 min

scott

 

I have an '83 F250 old utility truck with the big ole' toolbox bed and ladder rack. But I have no heat! I need to replace the heater core in mine and was wondering what type and style truck you were referring to macman. Or are they pretty much universal to change. I've never done one before but living here in the frozen wasteland of Wisconsin USA, I gotta have heat!! Thanks in advance...Dave..

 

I just replaced the heater core in my 86 F-150 302 EFI and it took me about 30 minutes from start to finish and the core was ony 18 dollars at Advance. Just remove the glove box and you will see the cover right behind it in which you will find the core. Remove the cover. The heater hoses in the engine compartment will not lose much fluid if you keep the hoses higher than the rest of the engine.

 

If your truck has A/C, the heater core should come out from under the dash. If you take the glove box out, take all the screws out around the heater core, it should only take about 20 min to take out.
If you don't have A/C, it will come out from the engine bay. You have a couple of screws inside the cab, but the rest will be in the engine bay. When you unscrew them, and take the heater core out, make sure you clean the inside of the box out. It should only take you 45 min. from start to finish.

One more thing, heater hose is cheap, so replace it and then you know it's all good. I changed the thermostat as well when I changed my heater core 2 months ago, but you don't have to do this.
Good luck!
Dan

 

All trucks from about 80 until 94 used the same basic design for the heater core and they come out the same way.

Scott

 

Well, I've got an 86 F-250 with no A/C and the heater core came out in the engine bay. If you look through a Chilton's repair manual, it'll say the same thing, the heater core comes out under the dash in an A/C vehicle and from the engine bay in a non-A/C truck. I thought they all came out from under the dash as well until I replaced mine 2 months ago.

 

I changed my heater core on my 1980 F350. There's no need to take your entire dash apart. You just need to get your glovebox out and then go from there. There isn't a whole lot of room to get the heater core cover off under the dash, the hardest part is getting it back on. I did mine in 45-hour. As long as you have a good selection of tools you'll be good to go.

 

The sad part about it was I kept putting it off because I assumed it was a real pain, like the Ford cars of the same period (80 -86)

Took me 30 minutes, longer to refill and bleed the cooling system than the actual replacement.

(I froze my yanos off last winter..........what an idiot!)