Heater core mod required?
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Freshman User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 48
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From: Lucan, ON
Heater core mod required?
Hi all,
Got a replacement heater core for my 77 F150 (actually this is the second one I've ordered, same result) and the 'radiator' part is correct 6"x6" but the inlet and outlet tubes are an inch longer than my OE part? That extra inch means I can't get the heater / fan box under the dash to re-install. I can cut the extra inch off, but then I lose the nice flares to secure the hose over. I don't know how to make equivalent flares myself. I was thinking of doing a double flare but the guy at the local rad shop says don't bother it should be fine without.
Anyone else run into this? I wonder why the replacement has tubes an inch too long?
Got a replacement heater core for my 77 F150 (actually this is the second one I've ordered, same result) and the 'radiator' part is correct 6"x6" but the inlet and outlet tubes are an inch longer than my OE part? That extra inch means I can't get the heater / fan box under the dash to re-install. I can cut the extra inch off, but then I lose the nice flares to secure the hose over. I don't know how to make equivalent flares myself. I was thinking of doing a double flare but the guy at the local rad shop says don't bother it should be fine without.
Anyone else run into this? I wonder why the replacement has tubes an inch too long?
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
The guy at the rad shop is right, it should work fine without the flares, the system doesnt run that much pressure.
You could unbolt the dash and tilt it up instead if you dont want to shorten the heater core. Its not that tough to remove. 2 bolts on each side, one bolt in the middle, 2 around the steering column under a cover ( ithink) and a couple of screws in the metal vents at the top of the dash that connect it to the metal lip under the windshield.
a little work vs alot of work, your choice.
You could unbolt the dash and tilt it up instead if you dont want to shorten the heater core. Its not that tough to remove. 2 bolts on each side, one bolt in the middle, 2 around the steering column under a cover ( ithink) and a couple of screws in the metal vents at the top of the dash that connect it to the metal lip under the windshield.
a little work vs alot of work, your choice.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 26,007
Likes: 575
From: Brentwood,CA
i had the same issue with mine not sure why they made them longer except i was not so lucky without the flare it worked for monthes then finally the hose just slide off the pipe spraying gallons of hot coolant on everything cracked my exhaust manifold ruined my plug wires shorted out the coil and the magnetic pickup you can find a decent flaring tool on ebay for under 20.00 i ended up using a needle nose plier i inserted it in the pipe pushed hard and made a nice flare on the end of it. a 20.00 heater core cost me 600.00 in problems later so make sure to do it right
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