Heater core replacement
I signed up to get some advice on replacing heater core in my 1970 F-250 with integral a/c. I've read all the posts concerning this operation and found them to be quite helpful. And yes, I can see it is a big job.
So far I have located the four monting bolts, removed them and now the unit is hanging free. I also removed glove box and door for access. I can see numerous wires, cables and hoses. Speaking of hoses, I can reach behind the unit and feel where they connect with radiator clamps. But I can't see them.
I thought maybe the front face of the unit would come off to allow access to core and undid screws surronding same but it doesn't want to budge. So I'm stuck. Does the entire unit have to be remove by tilting it forward to remove it? If so, how do I reach heater hoses to disconnect? Thanks.
John In Colorado
OK, it's been about 2 hours since my first post and I've been able to just about free the a/c unit from the dash. I cut the heater hoses to facilitate but I was going to replace those anyway. They are standard hoses attached with radiator clamps. The only things attached to unit are a few wires and cables but enough slack in both to allow unit to rest on floor.
But how in the world to I get to the core? I thought I could pry off the front of the unit but no luck. Any help is greatly appreciated!
John in Colorado
Don't reuse the old hoses.
John in Colorado
Factory installed Integral A/C is combined with the heater, the A/C controls are in the same panel as the heater controls.
There are two glove boxes, the dash glove box liner is very short because the expansion valve mounts behind it, so there is another glove box within the bezel.
Behind the dash bezel is the evaporator, behind that is the heater core. The heater plenum chamber that these two part are located in is two pieces. The inner section bolts to the outer bezel.
A pic is worth a 1000 words...the whole tamale is shown here in an exploded view: 1964/72 Ford Truck Parts Catalog-Illustration Section 195, page 5.
This catalog is available on a CD from hipoparts.com.
After 5 or 6 hours of labor (I lost count) core is out. And Bill, you were right. It is a lot more than removing 4 bolts: like hoses, cables, wiring and a gazillion screws. Thanks to you and the others that chimed in. Hopefully reassembly will be a bit easier since a/c will not be reconnected (freon long gone). I ordered shaping coils to provide for the 90 degree bends in the hoses. All in all its a big project!
John in Colorado






