Notices
1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis Econolines. E150, E250, E350, E450 and E550

1996 E350 heater core - how to replace?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 16, 2015 | 06:26 PM
  #1  
wirelessengineer's Avatar
wirelessengineer
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 784
Likes: 26
1996 E350 heater core - how to replace?

Can anyone point me to a good how-to on replacing the heater core in a 1996 E350?

I'm getting that sweet smell and humidity coming out of the vents, so it looks like it's time. Trying to decide if I'm going to bite the bullet and have the shop do it, or tackle it myself.


I think I'm going to do the radiator, all the hoses, and the water pump at the same time, so I'm leaning towards doing it myself.

Tips? Suggestions?

BTW, I searched Youtube and came up empty.
 
Reply
Old Nov 20, 2015 | 08:49 PM
  #2  
wirelessengineer's Avatar
wirelessengineer
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 784
Likes: 26
I found an illustrated "how-to" from a 2002. Anyone know if it's the same?

It doesn't look bad at all.
 
Reply
Old Nov 21, 2015 | 07:31 AM
  #3  
JWA's Avatar
JWA
Fleet Owner
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Motors are completely different so that part will NOT be the same.

I've swapped out my own heat cores on post-1997's but never looked at the '96 and older---sorry can't help ya there.
 
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2015 | 07:14 AM
  #4  
wirelessengineer's Avatar
wirelessengineer
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 784
Likes: 26
Well, time has run out, my wife is freezing in the morning and having trouble seeing out of frosted windows, so it's going in the shop today. Four bills. Ouch.

Once it's done, I'll probably find my shop manual that I've been searching for around here, and find out it's easy peasey.

If I do, I'll scan a few pages and post them here.
 
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2015 | 06:19 AM
  #5  
JWA's Avatar
JWA
Fleet Owner
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Its "easy" is relative to your tool compliment and experience doing this task---sadly the factory manual shows the theoretical steps but it doesn't and can't allow for the "challenges" you'll discover along the way. Things like frozen or stuck Quick Connect fittings etc etc.......this is were experience comes in.

PLUS the factory recommended procedure for replacing the heater core begins with REMOVING the dash board completely. In reality (for '97's and later) there are but 7 screws holding the outer heater core case to the inner, a bit of tugging to release it and you have clear access to the core.

Oh---on the '97's and later there is one screw far up on the outer heater core case that's nearly impossible to access, impossible to remove the case without it being removed. I have a few photos of that fricking thing in place and what I did to remove it---will post a bit later.

Anyone having already done this job probably leaves that screw out---its just not really that necessary for proper heater operation.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
TucsonTripleB
Arizona Chapter
3
Mar 23, 2016 12:45 AM
Stepney
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
10
Jan 29, 2016 07:57 AM
holymolie
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
22
Mar 29, 2011 12:54 AM
kuzycc
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Oct 9, 2008 06:00 AM
56restore
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Jun 30, 2004 07:11 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:27 PM.

story-0
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-4
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-8
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE