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Hello all!
1978 f-150 inline 6. My heater blower motor has been pretty squealy lately but it goes away after a few minutes. Replaced the thermostat and definitely getting heat, however this morning when I got to work and shut the truck off it had a small burning type smell so I think it’s time to replace it. Going to be a fun/annoying weekend. Figured I would do the heater core while I’m in there since the box has to come out anyways and I have a faint coolant smell once in a while. All of the blower motors I’ve found online, orielly/autozone, none of the wire connections are “finished”, just exposed. Any wiring geniuses have some tips? No a/c so that will make it easier. Also, anyone have a part number for the core? This might be a dumb question but in the pictures none of the outlets seem offset, so I’m worried about it lining up with the fire wall.
You may need to unbolt the dash panel on the passenger side to get the heater case out.
I got my new blower from Rock Auto. It's a VDO brand. I forget how my two wire connections are, but it certainly didn't just plug in. I think all replacement motors are going to have only plain wire pigtails to connect to.
Can't remember where I got my core, but I think it was from O'Reillys or Autozone, or one of the McParts stores. I remember NAPA had the same Spectra heater core, but it was more expensive.
You may need to unbolt the dash panel on the passenger side to get the heater case out.
I got my new blower from Rock Auto. It's a VDO brand. I forget how my two wire connections are, but it certainly didn't just plug in. I think all replacement motors are going to have only plain wire pigtails to connect to.
Can't remember where I got my core, but I think it was from O'Reillys or Autozone, or one of the McParts stores. I remember NAPA had the same Spectra heater core, but it was more expensive.
Yep I actually just found the same VDO one on rock auto for about $10 cheaper, and ill grab the core from oreilly since its right down the street from me. I guess the confusing part for me is the clip connector on my old one and putting that on a new one. The ground wire looks like I can crimp one of the circle ring connectors around the bare wires, which will be easy. This is my first truck so its been a learn as I go type thing, I just have zero electrical knowledge.
Electrically the old fan just unplugs. I used crimp-on bullet connectors so I could reverse the spin of the motor if necessary. The motor will spin either direction when you hook it up, so be sure to check the rotation of your old motor and wire up the new motor to spin the same way, otherwise your fan will work poorly.
Finishing up a complete re-wire of my truck. You're in luck. Just wired the heater last weekend. This is pretty easy. One wire going from the motor the heater resister, and the black goes to ground. You should be able to cut the one wire coming off the back of it, and connect it straight to your new motor.
I can give you more detail if you need it. (Wiring resistor and switch--if necessary)
Finishing up a complete re-wire of my truck. You're in luck. Just wired the heater last weekend. This is pretty easy. One wire going from the motor the heater resister, and the black goes to ground. You should be able to cut the one wire coming off the back of it, and connect it straight to your new motor.
I can give you more detail if you need it. (Wiring resistor and switch--if necessary)
Yep I realized I could just crimp one of the ring connectors on the ground wire to the fire wall. The part that confused me was the clip connector on the blower motor and how to either transfer or replace that one? It might be the easiest thing in the world but I am clueless when it comes to electrical.
Actually after doing a little more digging I realized I can just cut the old wire connection, and crimp the new wire to it. I've also dug through these forums about the heater core size, and everything leads me to believe I have the standard output heater core. It confused me as to why that one is more expensive than the high output one. But, looks like ill have a few hours set aside to get it done this weekend! Also going to get a new fan just in case the old plastic one is brittle and breaks when i'm removing it. I am assuming since the only option with Oreillys is counter clockwise blower wheel, thats how mine is already set up? The more I think about it the more confused I make myself haha
Could you take some pictures of the process? I think I have to replace mine too and some visuals would certainly help.
Sure will. My friend just did his and has the same exact setup, I just don't want to drive 2 1/2 hours for the extra hands. Im going to try to do it this weekend so we will see. Luckily I don't really need the heater at the moment.
Could you take some pictures of the process? I think I have to replace mine too and some visuals would certainly help.
Look up "bad66chevelles" on Youtube. He has a 30 minute video on removal that cleared everything up for me. The main thing I was confused about was the location of those vent control lines and how to take them off. 3 bolts in the firewall, 2 of them being on the blower motor. 4 screws holding the vent box in, then 1 screw for each of the 2 vent lines. Then it all slides out. My glove box has all but disintegrated so removing that was very easy.
Could you take some pictures of the process? I think I have to replace mine too and some visuals would certainly help.
I also undid the bolt on the bottom right of the dash to make it easier to slip out. One of the vent control cables that you can’t see can be unscrewed after you pull the box out. Turns out mine had the high output heater core in it. Luckily the parts store could get one within a couple hours because I had bought the standard one.
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