OK,
This isn't strictly a PSD question, but it does deal with the cooling system.

How much trouble is it to change out the heater core in a '95 F350? Is it something an amatuer with who is short on patience should attempt?

It *looks* like it's totally exposed when I drop the glove box all the way open.

We were on a trip this weekend far from home (of course) and started to get a steam bath. I connected the two lines going to the core and that at least let us finish the trip....

Thanks.

 

It doesn't look like too bad of a job, dash doesn't have to come off. I'm assuming you have A/C. Here you go, straight from Ford:





Heater Core
Removal

Allow the engine to cool. Observe the safety precautions in Section 03-03.

Place a thick cloth over the radiator cap. Turn the cap slowly to its first stop to release system pressure. When the pressure has been released, tighten the radiator cap.

Disconnect the heater water hoses (18472) from the heater core (18476). Plug the hoses.

Remove the glove compartment.

From inside the passenger compartment, remove the seven screws that attach the heater core cover (18B300) to the heater air plenum chamber (18471).

Disconnect the vacuum source. Leave the A/C plenum vacuum harness (18C581) attached to the heater core cover. Remove the heater core cover.

Remove the heater core from the heater air plenum chamber.

Installation

Position the heater core and heater core case seal (18658) in the heater air plenum chamber.

Install the heater core cover on the heater air plenum chamber and secure it with its seven attaching screws. Make sure the A/C plenum vacuum harness is not trapped or pinched during the installation.

Connect the A/C plenum vacuum harness to its source connection.

Install heater water hoses on the heater core at dash panel (01610) in engine compartment. Do not overtighten the clamps.

Check coolant level and add coolant as required. Refer to Section 03-03.

Check system for proper operation and coolant leaks.

Install glove compartment.

Check system for proper operation.

 

Jmorton I have a 1999 F-550 that decided to spray some steam out of the dash this morning. Do you know if the procedure is the same for my truck?

 

Here's the procedure for 1999 F250-F550:

Heater Core
Removal and Installation

NOTE: If a heater core leak is suspected, the heater core must be leak-tested before it is removed from the vehicle. For additional information, refer to Section 412-00

Drain the radiator. For additional information, refer to Section 303-03.
Disconnect the heater water hoses from the heater core. For the heater hose coupling disconnect and connect procedure, refer to Section 412-00.

Disengage the stops and lower the glove compartment door.
CAUTION: Do not attempt to bend any part of the panel/floor door lever. It is brittle and will break.

Remove the panel/floor door vacuum control motor.
Disconnect the vacuum line.
Remove the screws.
Rotate the vacuum control motor to disengage the lever and remove the vacuum control motor.

Remove the electronic blend door actuator and bracket assembly.
Disconnect the electrical connector and remove the screws.
Rotate the blend door actuator and bracket assembly.
Remove the electronic blend door actuator and bracket assembly.

Remove the screws.

CAUTION: The heater core cover must be raised vertically before removal to avoid damage to the heater core housing.

Remove the heater core cover.
Raise the heater core cover.
Remove the heater core cover.

Remove the heater core.

CAUTION: Position the temperature blend door manually to correctly align the actuator and the door. Do not power the actuator electrically. If it is not engaged with the temperature blend door, damage to the actuator can occur.

NOTE: Add gasket between housing and cover before installing cover.

To install, reverse the removal procedure.

 

Thanks for the quick reply JMorton. I've printed this out and will take it to work today and get started.

 

Sorry, I should have posted an update....

I appreciate your instructions and no doubt could have used them to do the job. However, I had a rather short fuse to get it done (we were leaving that Friday for a long trip) and knowing my luck, it would have turned into a nightmare.

Discretion being the better part of valor, I elected to get my local mechanic to fix it.

I'm keeping this for future reference though.

Thanks for your help!

 

I'm jumping on the bandwagon:

We've got the 95 and 99 procedures, does the 97 follow one of those sets of procedures that you've already generously posted? I hope so.

Matthew
'97 F250 HD CC PSD

 

Should be the same as the 95.