Dealer A/C - help!
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 924
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From: Johns Creek GA
Dealer A/C - help!
So I've got an '80 F-150, 300-6 engine, with the dealer-installed A/C. I'm actually trying to fix my heat at the moment - the heater core is leaking and needs replacing. I have to get that big box in the engine compartment that is attached to the firewall off, and the way to do that appears to be by unbolting it from inside the cab.
However, I can't reach all the bolts...it seems the thing to do is to remove the big black thing in this picture:
I'm guessing it's some kind of plenum for the A/C unit. I've got the blower fan detached from it, all the hoses to the A/C are removed (my A/C is also dead, so no big deal here), and as far as I can tell it is no longer held on by anything. But no matter how I wiggle or push it, I can't get it to come out. Is there some trick that I am missing? I'm afraid to push any harder on it, given how brittle the plastics have become.
Any advice would be appreciated.
However, I can't reach all the bolts...it seems the thing to do is to remove the big black thing in this picture:
I'm guessing it's some kind of plenum for the A/C unit. I've got the blower fan detached from it, all the hoses to the A/C are removed (my A/C is also dead, so no big deal here), and as far as I can tell it is no longer held on by anything. But no matter how I wiggle or push it, I can't get it to come out. Is there some trick that I am missing? I'm afraid to push any harder on it, given how brittle the plastics have become.
Any advice would be appreciated.
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Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Virginia
Here's how to remove the heater core on a standard non-A/C truck. I wouldn't think the dealer add-on A/C would make too much difference in this. They had two different styles of heaters without A/C. The first one below is the standard or high output version.
1980-81 Standard & High Output Heaters, Without Air Conditioning
Disconnect the temperature cable from the temperature blend door and the mounting bracket on top of the heater case.
Disconnect the wires from the blower motor resistor and the blower motor.
Disconnect the heater hoses from the heater core and plug the hoses with suitable 5 / 8 inch; (16mm) plugs.
Working under the instrument panel, remove two (2) nuts retaining the left end of the heater case and the right end of the plenum to the dash panel.
In the engine compartment, remove one (1) screw attaching the top center of the heater case to the dash panel.
Remove two (2) screws attaching the right end of the heater case to the dash panel, and remove the heater case from the vehicle.
Remove nine (9) screws and one (1) bolt and nut attaching the heater housing plate to the heater case, and remove the heater housing plate.
Remove three (3) screws attaching the heater core frame to the heater case and remove the frame.
Remove the heater core and seal from the heater case.
The next one is the "comfort vent heater" without A/C. They have a picture for it.
AutoZone.com Repair Guide Image
Disconnect the heater hoses from the heater core tubes and plug the hoses with suitable 5 / 8 inch; (16mm) plugs.
Remove the glove compartment liner.
Remove two (2) spring clips attaching the heater core cover to the plenum along the top edge of the heater core cover.
Remove eight (8) screws attaching the heater core cover to the plenum and remove the cover.
Remove the heater core from the plenum taking care not to spill coolant from the core.
1980-81 Standard & High Output Heaters, Without Air Conditioning
Disconnect the temperature cable from the temperature blend door and the mounting bracket on top of the heater case.
Disconnect the wires from the blower motor resistor and the blower motor.
Disconnect the heater hoses from the heater core and plug the hoses with suitable 5 / 8 inch; (16mm) plugs.
Working under the instrument panel, remove two (2) nuts retaining the left end of the heater case and the right end of the plenum to the dash panel.
In the engine compartment, remove one (1) screw attaching the top center of the heater case to the dash panel.
Remove two (2) screws attaching the right end of the heater case to the dash panel, and remove the heater case from the vehicle.
Remove nine (9) screws and one (1) bolt and nut attaching the heater housing plate to the heater case, and remove the heater housing plate.
Remove three (3) screws attaching the heater core frame to the heater case and remove the frame.
Remove the heater core and seal from the heater case.
The next one is the "comfort vent heater" without A/C. They have a picture for it.
AutoZone.com Repair Guide Image
Disconnect the heater hoses from the heater core tubes and plug the hoses with suitable 5 / 8 inch; (16mm) plugs.
Remove the glove compartment liner.
Remove two (2) spring clips attaching the heater core cover to the plenum along the top edge of the heater core cover.
Remove eight (8) screws attaching the heater core cover to the plenum and remove the cover.
Remove the heater core from the plenum taking care not to spill coolant from the core.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 924
Likes: 4
From: Johns Creek GA
Well, I do appreciate the how-to guide. And it sure seems like a piece of cake when they write things like "remove two (2) nuts retaining the left end of the heater case and the right end of the plenum to the dash panel"; one might almost believe that those nuts are just sitting there waiting for a wrench to be applied. But they forgot to mention needing a second elbow and double-length fingers to get to those nuts...
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
My 1981 without AC I'll bet is like yours... I had to remove the cowl to get at a nut holding that heater box on.
Picture on Pg 4. of THIS THREAD from a few years ago.
Picture on Pg 4. of THIS THREAD from a few years ago.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 666
Likes: 5
I had the same issue with my 82 with dealer AC. I got mine out by removing the glove box and using a lot of different length extensions and u-joints for my 1/4" drive socket set, and it was still a PITA.
Since then, I read on this forum that the easiest way is to remove the dash pad. 12 screws (IIRC) and it lifts out. Then you have easy access to the top screws.
Since then, I read on this forum that the easiest way is to remove the dash pad. 12 screws (IIRC) and it lifts out. Then you have easy access to the top screws.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 924
Likes: 4
From: Johns Creek GA
My 1981 without AC I'll bet is like yours... I had to remove the cowl to get at a nut holding that heater box on.
Picture on Pg 4. of THIS THREAD from a few years ago.
Picture on Pg 4. of THIS THREAD from a few years ago.
I am beginning to think heat is overrated.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
Likes: 92
From: Denver Metro Area, CO
Some people say that's necessary but I didn't do that (although I did scratch the paint on the hood, my truck looks like a POS anyhow and there'd be no way to tell, might even be an improvement).
Might be able to just loosen the bolts on the hood hinges and pull it forward instead of entirely removing it, just be sure to mark stuff o you can put it back exactly where it was.
Might be able to just loosen the bolts on the hood hinges and pull it forward instead of entirely removing it, just be sure to mark stuff o you can put it back exactly where it was.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Uniontown PA USA
how does one tell dealer a/c from factory a/c? I'd assume i had factory till i read that there is a dealer unit. Being that i'm in PA i'd assume it'd be factory as i doubt someone would pay to have it put it in.
1986 f350 crew 460
1986 f350 crew 460
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Dallas, GA
my 82 has the dealer installed AC unit and I am also in the middle of replacing the heater core. My dealer installed unit was not working and I was not going to fix it so I just tore it all out and that made getting to the heater core pretty easy.
When I did take it out....it wasn't too difficlut. If you take the dash cover off the top you can get to everything pretty easy. Had to take a couple bolts off to move the dash forward as well.
RockWVU....the dealer installed unit is up under the glove compartment. It actually has a second blower motor and evaporator all installed up there in a neat little package. There is ducting from this unit to the front vents.
When I did take it out....it wasn't too difficlut. If you take the dash cover off the top you can get to everything pretty easy. Had to take a couple bolts off to move the dash forward as well.
RockWVU....the dealer installed unit is up under the glove compartment. It actually has a second blower motor and evaporator all installed up there in a neat little package. There is ducting from this unit to the front vents.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2004
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Generally, Factory AC has both the heater core and evaporator core in the box under the hood.
Dealer AC has the non-AC heater box with heater core under the hood, and a separate air handler box with the evaporator core under the dash behind the glove box. The quickest way to tell is this: If your AC hoses go into the box under the hood, you have Factory AC. If your AC hoses go through the firewall into the cab, you have Dealer AC. Also, Dealer AC has a control head with two sliders - one for temperature, the other for "AC", "Heat", and "Defrost". The control head for Factory AC has more options (I think it has "AC" and "Max AC" IIRC).
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
This is a dealer-added control panel, a non-AC panel would say OFF where it says A/C:
Factory AC has a whole bunch of different positions, not just 3....
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 924
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From: Johns Creek GA
And...I got my heater box out today, finally! And I didn't have to remove the cowl to do so.
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 22,415
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From: Denver Metro Area, CO
What year is that from? My dealer A/C (in my 1980 truck) keeps the non-A/C panel, and adds a small secondary control panel that can be seen on the dash just to the right of my key in this picture:
And...I got my heater box out today, finally! And I didn't have to remove the cowl to do so.
And...I got my heater box out today, finally! And I didn't have to remove the cowl to do so.
I've sometimes seen those dealer-added kits, where the controls are in the cubby-hole to the right of the steering column like you have, but I see lots more of the kind where the entire HVAC panel is replaced instead of one being added on.
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