Replacing heater core
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Palm Bay,Florida
Replacing heater core
I have a 78f250 with no factory air. I got a replacement heater core I'm installing. Does it matter which one heater hoses goes to each fitting on heater core? I was also wondering if I can put a ball type valve inline under hood to stop the flow of hot water into heater core,or does this line have to remain flowing at all times in order for motor to cool properly?
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From: Chambersburg, Pa
I wouldn't bother with a valve to shut the flow off, it's not hurting anything flowing through the heater core....BUT if you did that, you'd need some type of bypass before the valve so the coolant could still flow through the system.
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From: Palm Bay,Florida
Water flowing though core in truck heats up inside of truck even with heater contols in the off position. In putting a ball valve inline will keep the extra heat out of the cab by keeping the hot water out of the cab. So your saying not to stop the flow of water though heater hoses ? I live in florida and the heater core is bypassed but I need heat sometimes for defrosting windows when it rains.
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From: Chambersburg, Pa
In putting a ball valve inline will keep the extra heat out of the cab by keeping the hot water out of the cab. So your saying not to stop the flow of water though heater hoses ? I live in florida and the heater core is bypassed but I need heat sometimes for defrosting windows when it rains.
BUT if you do put a valve in, then yes, you need some form of bypass before it for the coolant to keep flowing when the valve is closed, or all you are doing is shutting the entire cooling system off because it won't be able to flow through the radiator to cool, it will be stopped at the valve, probably messing up quite a few things, and eventually overheating.
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From: Palm Bay,Florida
I'll hook it up to factory specs. I know that it will add some heat to cab when heater is off but will see how much. I didn't think that you can cut water flow off without overheating motor just double checking. The inside cab temps with heater core bypassed here in florida are bad enough(no factory a/c) without the aid of a hot water in heater core inside of cab with heater controls in the off position. Thanks
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From: Palm Bay,Florida
I need a manual heater control bypass valve. Any links? cheap solutions, control valve with built in bypass
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From: Palm Bay,Florida
Would any one have a pic(of wires) of where the blower motor plugs into at under dash? My blower motor has an orange & black seperate plugs on it but can't find the other plug that they plug into.
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Cargo Master
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From: starship enterprise
I am unaware of any problems arising from stopping coolant flow through the heater core, as all of the factory AC trucks had a inline valve that was vaccum operated to stop coolant flow, and to my knowlege there was no bypass installed from the factory, however most AC equipped trucks did have a larger radiator, so this might or might not contribute, but I am sure that the vaccum valve would stop circulation through the heater core. It might pay to do like a semi truck has and put a valve in that threads into the block so as to not have hose clamps everywhere, your choice.
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Pa.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 5,217
Likes: 506
From: Pa.
Yep a ball valve with barbed fitting ends will work just fine .. It should also be compatible with antifreeze if it's brass