Have a 91 E150. I was able to separate the hoses from the core inlet tubes without the special tool. Part of the locking clips remained on the tubes after hoses are off. I can't take heater core out from inside truck unless these clips come off end of tubes on engine side of firewall. How do these clips come off? Should I cut tubes since core is being replaced and buy new clips? Should I reuse old hoses or are new ones with snap fittings still available?

 

I have not done the Heater core hose but I have done fuel and other hoses with the clips and the new hoses always came with new clips. Check the autostore and have them show you a new set, if they have the clips - buy em and cut the old ones. Since you went this far you might as well replace them.

 

I was not able to get the clips to release in my 92 E150 either. I ended up bending the core back from inside the heater box inside the van and using a sawsall to cut the tubes. I was then able to pull the cutoff tubes throught the firewall and then have easy access to the clips. A little rotation of the tubes with the clips released allowed me to seperate the tube stubs from the hoses. The local Ford house had all the necessary parts to completely redo the clip attachments. I dont recall the full details of what I replaced except there was an "O" ring inside the clip assembly that definately would have leaked had I not replaced them. There were also some new plastic pieces that slid on the end of the heater hoses. Installation only invoved pushing the heater hoses over the tubes of the newly installed heater core. I think I might have used silicon grease on the tube ends, but I am not sure.

 

They came off by pulling out the the same "ears" that you had to push in to release the hose. The clips are flexible plstic and by pulling them toward you they just jumped over the ridge on the inlet tubes. I thought these clips sat behind the ridge on the tubes , but found they actually sit directly over the ridgeson the tube.

The radiator came next since it also had a slight leak. The old radiator was all metal and had a 2 row core. The new one had plastic tanks and an aluminum core with three rows. I thought the extra row would be great would be great. I had a hard time getting it in since the fan clutch was now very close to the face of the radiator. After an hour of driving, I smelled antifreeze. Engine movement while driving had caused the clutch to hit the radiator (motor mounts are fairly new) I went back to the parts store and they had to find me an all metal one the same as the original which allowed more clearacnce. All seems to be well.

 

i cant get the clips from ford.the ones they have in the repair kit are 5/8.any one have a part # or access to these.i dont want to but the new hose for a 50 cent part.

 

When 1 Quick Coupling came apart as designed after a struggle & the other self destructed, I found only FORD sold the heater hoses & they were unable to provide them within my time frame or budget. It did not take long to realize the PITA, overpriced, special heater hoses were unneccessary & pieces of ordinary hose & traditional SS clamps work very well.