Heater core replacement
New User
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Tunnel Hill, Georgia, USA
@ 1975Ford
Will this same procedure work on a 76 F100 with A/C???? I, too have looked for an online job diagram, and cannot locate one. And it has gotten COLD here in Northwest Georgia.....
BUUUUUURRRRRRRR
Will this same procedure work on a 76 F100 with A/C???? I, too have looked for an online job diagram, and cannot locate one. And it has gotten COLD here in Northwest Georgia.....
BUUUUUURRRRRRRR
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
Heater Core
I had more problems locating the correct replacement core than I did changing it out. This site has tons of helpful information, but I couldn’t locate anything that was as helpful as usual in regard to this matter. Hopefully my experience will save someone else the trouble of ordering four different parts like I did. I have read the warnings about “cheap Chinese replacements” but my problem was finding a replacement that was actually a replacement, cheaply made or not. I have a 1973 f100 ranger XLT with AC, Non high output heater, 2wd, 390/C6
Round One: Autozone orders me a core (part # 94575 Spectra Brand) for above truck based on their listed part numbers. When it arrives, it is smaller and thinner than the original, has much smaller passages between the fins of the core than the original, made of aluminum, and the inlet/outlets are too far apart to even fit through the heater/AC box openings.
Round Two: I take the original core to Napa and we order another core based on the measurements they have on their replacement heater cores. The parts guy measures only the core, tanks at top and bottom are not included. It measures 8 (actually about 7-3/4)x6x2. He orders me a core with these measurements and when it comes in, it is the exact part that autozone had!
Round Three: I ordered another from Summit and the tech and I compared pictures from their website and Spectra's site, where we found a picture of the one Napa and Autozone had ordered. Summit's core looks just like the original, Spectra's does not. The spectra # is 94575, Summit's is 399022, which is actually Vista-pro brand. I was so dissapointed when it arrived. Although the box states Vista pro, this core is all aluminum construction and is just slightly larger than the others I had ordered. It is NOT an exact fit, the foam rubber does not fit around it correctly. In my experience, Summit has always been easy to deal with, and this was no exception. I sent it back and received a full refund, even the shipping.
Round Four: Ordered one from NPD, part #18476-1A. this is the higher priced one of the two they list for this application. The parts guy went into the warehouse, put eyeballs on it, and then described it to me so that I could be sure it was correct. This one actually matched the website pic, but here is the weird part, when it arrived it was in a vista pro box with part #398304. Anyway, it was an exact replacement and we’re up and running again. Hope this helps someone.
Round One: Autozone orders me a core (part # 94575 Spectra Brand) for above truck based on their listed part numbers. When it arrives, it is smaller and thinner than the original, has much smaller passages between the fins of the core than the original, made of aluminum, and the inlet/outlets are too far apart to even fit through the heater/AC box openings.
Round Two: I take the original core to Napa and we order another core based on the measurements they have on their replacement heater cores. The parts guy measures only the core, tanks at top and bottom are not included. It measures 8 (actually about 7-3/4)x6x2. He orders me a core with these measurements and when it comes in, it is the exact part that autozone had!
Round Three: I ordered another from Summit and the tech and I compared pictures from their website and Spectra's site, where we found a picture of the one Napa and Autozone had ordered. Summit's core looks just like the original, Spectra's does not. The spectra # is 94575, Summit's is 399022, which is actually Vista-pro brand. I was so dissapointed when it arrived. Although the box states Vista pro, this core is all aluminum construction and is just slightly larger than the others I had ordered. It is NOT an exact fit, the foam rubber does not fit around it correctly. In my experience, Summit has always been easy to deal with, and this was no exception. I sent it back and received a full refund, even the shipping.
Round Four: Ordered one from NPD, part #18476-1A. this is the higher priced one of the two they list for this application. The parts guy went into the warehouse, put eyeballs on it, and then described it to me so that I could be sure it was correct. This one actually matched the website pic, but here is the weird part, when it arrived it was in a vista pro box with part #398304. Anyway, it was an exact replacement and we’re up and running again. Hope this helps someone.
New User
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Tunnel Hill, Georgia, USA
Heater Core Replacement
Well, I was able to locate a job diagram, and pulled the old core. Although the plastic box that covers the A/C condenser and heater core broke into a million pieces when I removed it. 
Took my old core in to Advance Auto parts, and they had an exact match!
Now I am on the search for a replacement cover for the A/C condenser/heater core for a 76 F100 with air.
Took my old core in to Advance Auto parts, and they had an exact match! Now I am on the search for a replacement cover for the A/C condenser/heater core for a 76 F100 with air.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,393
Likes: 5
From: MA
Round One: Autozone orders me a core (part # 94575 Spectra Brand) for above truck based on their listed part numbers. When it arrives, it is smaller and thinner than the original, has much smaller passages between the fins of the core than the original, made of aluminum, and the inlet/outlets are too far apart to even fit through the heater/AC box openings.
I filed the plastic heater/ac box a bit and the very unit you posted fit fine. I ended up with this very piece as a warrantied replacement a few weeks ago from an old style copper/brass unit purchased at AZ in 2006. Spectra changed to aluminum designs vs the original copper/brass. IMO, it functions fine.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
psquare7575, how much air flow do you get through the core? I tested an aluminum one against the original and you could barely feel the air coming through it. Also, my foam would not fit adequately around the unit and I did not want to fabricate or modify anything to make what should be a "replacement "part fit properly. As you know, it takes a little bit of work to perform this repair, and I wanted to put it back together only once and be satisfied with it. However, that being said, I can be a little picky about some things. Glad you were satisfied with the one you got from Advance and didn't have to order several like I did.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,393
Likes: 5
From: MA
To me it felt the same, even on high. My foam shield fit fine as well, and the unit popped into place once I opened up the plastic plenum holes a bit.
On a side note, I swear these trucks are REALLY sensitive to radiator cap psi....
On a side note, I swear these trucks are REALLY sensitive to radiator cap psi....
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