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Heater core question
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Heater core question
Hello,
New to the forum. I just bought a 1978 f-150 4x4 with a 351m, 4 speed, and AC. It has 64,000 miles. It has been setting for probably 10 years in closed, decent storage. I'm in the process of draining and changing fluids. I just finished new brake lines.
My question on the heater core is that the heat seems to work fine, but the windshield fogs easily. Plus, there is an antifreeze leak just outside the firewall. If I change out the heater core, will that solve my issue, or should I expect to need something else once I'm in there?
Also, the door on the interior aspect of the heater core looks to be controlled by some lever hooked to something electrical. Anyone have an explanation of how that works? I'm a novice with heating and electrical but would like to learn.
Appreciate any insight!
Ed
New to the forum. I just bought a 1978 f-150 4x4 with a 351m, 4 speed, and AC. It has 64,000 miles. It has been setting for probably 10 years in closed, decent storage. I'm in the process of draining and changing fluids. I just finished new brake lines.
My question on the heater core is that the heat seems to work fine, but the windshield fogs easily. Plus, there is an antifreeze leak just outside the firewall. If I change out the heater core, will that solve my issue, or should I expect to need something else once I'm in there?
Also, the door on the interior aspect of the heater core looks to be controlled by some lever hooked to something electrical. Anyone have an explanation of how that works? I'm a novice with heating and electrical but would like to learn.
Appreciate any insight!
Ed
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
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From: Stanley, VA
Welcome to FTE. Lots of good people here.
Sounds like you have factory A/C, not aftermarket. That being said, the heater core can be a bit of a pain to change with factory A/C.
Is the antifreez leaking from the evaporator drain? The drain is at the bottom of the evaporator housing that sticks out in the engine compartment. If yes, then the heater core is leaking and needs to be replaced.
The damper doors are operated by vacuum motors, not electric. There are three motors to operate the dampers.
Here's a link that details the process in really good detail.
NORTH COUNTRY SPECIALTIES ®
Sounds like you have factory A/C, not aftermarket. That being said, the heater core can be a bit of a pain to change with factory A/C.
Is the antifreez leaking from the evaporator drain? The drain is at the bottom of the evaporator housing that sticks out in the engine compartment. If yes, then the heater core is leaking and needs to be replaced.
The damper doors are operated by vacuum motors, not electric. There are three motors to operate the dampers.
Here's a link that details the process in really good detail.
NORTH COUNTRY SPECIALTIES ®
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
Another little road block that you might run into. A lot of the new replacement heater cores (including OEM Ford) have a redesigned heater core with end tanks that don't fit well at all. Original design heater cores are still available but you have to see them to tell whether you've got an original design or the new one.
The gasket that surrounds the original won't fit the new core design. Another problem is really minor, the spacing between the two hose nipples is a little different and the nipples don't want to go through the evaporator housing. To make it fit, just wallow the holes out a little bit, it doesn't take much.
You can go to Rock Auto and see pictures of the heater core that you're ordering RockAuto Parts Catalog .
Here are pictures of the two different style cores. The style you want is on the right. These two are aluminum, again, if you look, you can still find ones made from brass.
The gasket that surrounds the original won't fit the new core design. Another problem is really minor, the spacing between the two hose nipples is a little different and the nipples don't want to go through the evaporator housing. To make it fit, just wallow the holes out a little bit, it doesn't take much.
You can go to Rock Auto and see pictures of the heater core that you're ordering RockAuto Parts Catalog .
Here are pictures of the two different style cores. The style you want is on the right. These two are aluminum, again, if you look, you can still find ones made from brass.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2003
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From: Northern Illinois
Brass heater core, forget the aluminum junk. Ignore the "without A/C" part to, it is the correct core for A/C.
1973-79 BRONCO HEATER CORE - WITHOUT A/C - BRASS | Laurel Mountain Mustang
1973-79 BRONCO HEATER CORE - WITHOUT A/C - BRASS | Laurel Mountain Mustang
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Freshman User
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Thanks a bunch! Exactly what I was looking for. I didn't see any leakage on the inside, but am taking a closer look today. Can the evaporator be bad? How would I know? I'm still trying to explain the foggy windshield thing.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
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Another little road block that you might run into. A lot of the new replacement heater cores (including OEM Ford) have a redesigned heater core with end tanks that don't fit well at all. Original design heater cores are still available but you have to see them to tell whether you've got an original design or the new one.
The gasket that surrounds the original won't fit the new core design. Another problem is really minor, the spacing between the two hose nipples is a little different and the nipples don't want to go through the evaporator housing. To make it fit, just wallow the holes out a little bit, it doesn't take much.
You can go to Rock Auto and see pictures of the heater core that you're ordering RockAuto Parts Catalog .
Here are pictures of the two different style cores. The style you want is on the right. These two are aluminum, again, if you look, you can still find ones made from brass.
The gasket that surrounds the original won't fit the new core design. Another problem is really minor, the spacing between the two hose nipples is a little different and the nipples don't want to go through the evaporator housing. To make it fit, just wallow the holes out a little bit, it doesn't take much.
You can go to Rock Auto and see pictures of the heater core that you're ordering RockAuto Parts Catalog .
Here are pictures of the two different style cores. The style you want is on the right. These two are aluminum, again, if you look, you can still find ones made from brass.
Thanks for the pictures. You guys just saved me from an autozone mistake. I went to the rock auto website, and it seems part # 94575 is the only heater core that has the housing like in your picture.
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Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Stanley, VA
If your evaporator is leaking, the A/C will not cool and, depending on how big the leak is, you'll need to keep recharging the A/C. The refrigerant inside the evaporator is a gas and when it leaks it disappears into the atmosphere, you won't see any physical leaks.
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Because the A/C has an evaporator drain in the engine compartment you won't see any leakage under the dash. The fogging windshield is probably caused by a leaking heater core.
If your evaporator is leaking, the A/C will not cool and, depending on how big the leak is, you'll need to keep recharging the A/C. The refrigerant inside the evaporator is a gas and when it leaks it disappears into the atmosphere, you won't see any physical leaks.
If your evaporator is leaking, the A/C will not cool and, depending on how big the leak is, you'll need to keep recharging the A/C. The refrigerant inside the evaporator is a gas and when it leaks it disappears into the atmosphere, you won't see any physical leaks.
That just saved me a bunch of time. Really appreciate that Mike. The AC unit currently doesn't have a belt on it, but the wheel spins freely. I was going to wait on messing with that until I tackled the more pressing needs. It sounds like I might be money and time ahead to change out the evaporator while I'm down there.
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
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From: Stanley, VA
Fast forward a couple of years and LMC is about the only one that still has them and the price is right at $300.00.
What I liked about the replacement unit I bought was the evaporator core tubes were made out of copper, not aluminum like most of the replacements.
If your A/C is already discharged, while you have it apart, pull the evaporator and have a shop check it. No sense in replacing it if its still good.
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That just saved me a bunch of time. Really appreciate that Mike. The AC unit currently doesn't have a belt on it, but the wheel spins freely. I was going to wait on messing with that until I tackled the more pressing needs. It sounds like I might be money and time ahead to change out the evaporator while I'm down there.
Don't know about saving money. The evaporator is getting really hard to find. I bought a new one for my project a couple of years ago and paid IIRC around $165.00, bought it from an outfit in Houston, TX and for the life of me I can't recall the name.
Fast forward a couple of years and LMC is about the only one that still has them and the price is right at $300.00.
What I liked about the replacement unit I bought was the evaporator core tubes were made out of copper, not aluminum like most of the replacements.
If your A/C is already discharged, while you have it apart, pull the evaporator and have a shop check it. No sense in replacing it if its still good.
Fast forward a couple of years and LMC is about the only one that still has them and the price is right at $300.00.
What I liked about the replacement unit I bought was the evaporator core tubes were made out of copper, not aluminum like most of the replacements.
If your A/C is already discharged, while you have it apart, pull the evaporator and have a shop check it. No sense in replacing it if its still good.
. What's supposed to be there? I don't see it in chiltons...argh. I appreciate the info on the evaporator. Makes sense to keep it until it proves itself wrong...
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Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
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From: Stanley, VA
Yup, that's the evaporator drain. It drains the condensation that runs off the evaporator.
You can see antifreeze leaking out so you do have a leaking heater core.
Here's what came on the drain from the factory, although what you have is fine, looks like you have the stock part.
You can see antifreeze leaking out so you do have a leaking heater core.
Here's what came on the drain from the factory, although what you have is fine, looks like you have the stock part.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
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Brass heater core, forget the aluminum junk. Ignore the "without A/C" part to, it is the correct core for A/C.
1973-79 BRONCO HEATER CORE - WITHOUT A/C - BRASS | Laurel Mountain Mustang
1973-79 BRONCO HEATER CORE - WITHOUT A/C - BRASS | Laurel Mountain Mustang