Heater core replacement
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New User
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24
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From: Fargo USA
Heater core replacement
Hello all,
My heater core is shot in my '77 Ford F-350. I do not have AC. Has anyone replaced the core on this year with no ac? Looking for tips and helpful information. I also have read the tech article on replacing a heater core posted on the tech articles but that was for an AC equipped truck of my year, I am sure a non-AC truck would be different. Any one have any tips?
Thanks.
My heater core is shot in my '77 Ford F-350. I do not have AC. Has anyone replaced the core on this year with no ac? Looking for tips and helpful information. I also have read the tech article on replacing a heater core posted on the tech articles but that was for an AC equipped truck of my year, I am sure a non-AC truck would be different. Any one have any tips?
Thanks.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,258
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From: clementsport canada
Heater core replacement
i think there was a post on this a few days ago...
basicly, you drain you coolant, then unhook your heater hoses. then remove the heater controls from the heater box in the cab, and unhook any wires that maybe in the way. unbolt the heater box from the engine side of the fire wall, then curse and swear at ford, as you try to remove the whole unit from under the dash...
i followed my haynes manual, it atleast showed the location of all the bolts... good luck
basicly, you drain you coolant, then unhook your heater hoses. then remove the heater controls from the heater box in the cab, and unhook any wires that maybe in the way. unbolt the heater box from the engine side of the fire wall, then curse and swear at ford, as you try to remove the whole unit from under the dash...
i followed my haynes manual, it atleast showed the location of all the bolts... good luck
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 5,964
Likes: 1
From: Woodruff, SC
Heater core replacement
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 26-Sep-02 AT 08:34 AM (EST)]A little trick that helped me is to take the lower dash bolt out,and when you remove the unit you can gently pull the dash out(only a little but it helps).
And i would also suggest getting a manual for your year truck you can pick one up at your local auto parts house.
Another suggestion is if you can afford it replace the fan motor while your in there,it will save you having to do it again later when the fan goes out.(preventive maintenance)
Just my 2 cents
Wiz
[link:www.clubfte.com/users/thewiz427/index.html|"Wiz's Place"]
And i would also suggest getting a manual for your year truck you can pick one up at your local auto parts house.
Another suggestion is if you can afford it replace the fan motor while your in there,it will save you having to do it again later when the fan goes out.(preventive maintenance)
Just my 2 cents
Wiz
[link:www.clubfte.com/users/thewiz427/index.html|"Wiz's Place"]
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 3
From: Waterloo IL
I know this is insanely old but now it's my turn on my 77 F-150 non-AC. So the heater box has to come out of the truck? I was looking for an on-line repair procedure and have not found anything. I did read the procedure on this site for AC trucks and I also got a link to AutoZone's website when I did a search but it was for blower motor replacement and I couldn't find the heater core. I guess I'll just tear into with out a guide but damn, it has to be on the net somewhere! I did just bid on a Haynes manual on ebay, but I was hoping to do this on Sunday.
Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,779
Likes: 3
From: Waterloo IL
Answered my own question.
The repair procedure listed by the Zone for the blower motor also includes pulling the heater core. Just scroll down a bit.
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...3d800a7494.jsp
The repair procedure listed by the Zone for the blower motor also includes pulling the heater core. Just scroll down a bit.
http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBr...3d800a7494.jsp
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,248
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Removal and Installation of Heater Core Assembly
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
First, use zip lock bags to store screws and nut as you remove screws and nuts, this will help you keep things organize during removal and installation of hardware.
Read instruction, before purchasing parts needed.
Parts need: 1 heater core, 2 gallons of antifreeze, 1 RTV silicone rubber or 1 weather strip adhesive, 1 heater fan motor (recommended), anti seize compound for radiator hoses.
Fill radiator, as recommended on label on antifreese bottle, with new antifreeze and water.
Check for leaks.
Note: Use anti seize compound for radiator hoses on installation of the hoses, as it will ease have to remove hoses later, if needed.
Check the condition of heater hose, replace if necessary.
Replace thermostat if necessary.
Replace radiator hose(s) if necessary.
Check for leaks on radiator, fix if necessary.
First, use zip lock bags to store screws and nut as you remove screws and nuts, this will help you keep things organize during removal and installation of hardware.
Read instruction, before purchasing parts needed.
Parts need: 1 heater core, 2 gallons of antifreeze, 1 RTV silicone rubber or 1 weather strip adhesive, 1 heater fan motor (recommended), anti seize compound for radiator hoses.
- Loosen peacock on radiator to drain the radiator fluid from the radiator. Use a container to store the radiator fluid (antifreeze). Tighten peacock when fluid has drained.
- Remove glove box door, 2 hinges, 2 screws per hinge, and the cable which attaches to the glove box door.
- Remove the black glove box behind the glove box door. (use a very short screw driver)
- Move glove box to the left side to access the lower vent door screws on passenger side of truck and remove screws to lower vent door. Remove the lower vent door, use a short and medium phillups screw driver.
- Now remove the black glove box, from the bottom, where the lower vent door was located.
- Locate the heater cables from the heater core assembly (big black unit, mounted under the dash), it is easier to find if you move the selectors for the heat or vent and floor selections on the dash above the radio. At the end of cable, locate the one screw mounted to the heater core assembly, and With a short phillups screw driver, remove the screws at the end of the cables, remove heater cables and tie up and out of the way. https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...=94681&width=0
- Remove the heater register assembly, remove the two clips https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...=94679&width=0 this is locate in the front center lower portion, inside the truck, and is mounted to the heater core assembly, below the ashtray. Remove the two clips with a set of pliers, be careful not to break or chip the heater core assembly when removing these clips.
- On the inside of truck, on the heater core assembly, on the right side (passenger side), under the dash, locate and disconnect the wiring harness that mounts to the big black unit, tie wiring harness up and out of the way.
- In the engine compartment, locate the fan motor, remove the wiring harness and the screw for the ground wire, which attaches to the fan motor.
- Loosen and slide away the the two heater hose clamps mounted to the heater core, at right (passenger side) rear firewall, of the the engine compartment, in the engine compartment.
- Remove heater hoses from the heater core at the rear of the engine compartment. Sometimes it easier to slice the rubber heater hose mounted to the heater core with a utility blade, use a regular screw drive to pry the heater hose away from the heater core. Use a container to catch any radiator fluid (antifreeze) leaking from heater hoses.
- Loosen the three nuts under the engine compartment (they look like 1/2" nuts sticking out of the firewall ). One is located on the rear portion of the fire wall and is located behind the right valve cover on the fire wall, most of the time there is a ground wire attached to it, remove the nut to remove the ground wire, and remove the nut behind the ground wire. The other two is located near the fan motor on the fire wall. Remove the three nuts. https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...=94680&width=0
- Remove the the two bolts holding the metal dash. One is located on the passenger side and the other is located to the right bottom of ash tray.
- The heater core assembly is ready for removal, From the inside of truck. Wiggle and remove the heater core assembly. Patience is a virtue. Have some rags nearby to soak up any radiator fluid which leaks in the vehicle.
- After heater assembly is removed, Find a clean area to place the heater core assembly.
- Locate the heater core and remove the screws and bracket.
- Remove the heater core from the heater core assembly.
- Save the old heater core, you will need the rubber and foam attached to it.
- When purchasing your new heater core, take it with you to the automotive store, to match the old heater core with the new heater core.
- Place the rubbers and foams off the old heater core on to the new heater core. Use a weather strip adhesive or RTV silicone to attached it.
- Before placing the new heater core onto heater core assembly. Remove fan motor screws and remove fan motor. Rinse out heater core assembly with water. Use a cotton rag and bucket of water with Pinesol, to wash the inside and outside of heater control assembly.
- Wash and rinse to accomplish necessary results. Dry with a cloth.
- Optional and highly recommended. Take into consideration of replacing old fan motor with a new fan motor at this time, you might not want to remove fan motor a year of so from now.
- Installation of heater core and heater core assembly. Follow instructions from step 18 backward to step 7. (if rubber foam needs to be replaced on heater core, use the rubber insulating foam for pipes)
Fill radiator, as recommended on label on antifreese bottle, with new antifreeze and water.
Check for leaks.
Note: Use anti seize compound for radiator hoses on installation of the hoses, as it will ease have to remove hoses later, if needed.
Check the condition of heater hose, replace if necessary.
Replace thermostat if necessary.
Replace radiator hose(s) if necessary.
Check for leaks on radiator, fix if necessary.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
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I just pulled my heater core and blower motor in a 78 f250 with factory a/c and to just tear apart I spent about an hour to hour and half doing it. I plan on putting it all back in tonight if weather and work permits.
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Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,779
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From: Waterloo IL
I don't have AC at all and I just did the heater core on Saturday and I don't think it could have been any easier, I bet it took 40 minutes tops. I bet I could do it again in 25 minutes. Everyone talked this up as a nightmare but there is nothing to it, it's easier than changing oil. A fox body Mustang is much worse and they aren't all that bad.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,760
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From: Gadsden Purchase
Originally Posted by Blown 331
I don't have AC at all and I just did the heater core on Saturday and I don't think it could have been any easier, I bet it took 40 minutes tops. I bet I could do it again in 25 minutes. Everyone talked this up as a nightmare but there is nothing to it...
When Ford made these pickups with factory air, the first two parts laid on the assembly line was a heater core and a blower then they built pickups around those parts. ;)
There is nothing on my pickup that hadn't been taken apart and the heater core etc is not all that big of a deal but is insane -compared- to what you experienced.
I went at mine from the outside. I prefer it that way since I can do a better job of it and that's all that matters to me, the finished product. YMMV
The fender apron has to be lowered doing it my way. :)
Getting the picture? ;)
Alvin in AZ
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,241
Likes: 3
From: Other side of the sunrise
Yeah Alvin, the difference between air cond and non air is huge. When I did my old 73 with air conditioning, I did it from under the dash and decided that I didn't need air conditioning anymore so I disassembled it. Yes, the job sucked so bad that I renedered the air conditioning unusable and tore things up a bit.
With my old 76, which didn't have air cond, it was a piece of cake. I did the 76 long ago, before I attempted the air equipped 73 so I was disillusioned with how "simple the job would be. Yikes. Screw the air!
I'm getting ready to do my 74 here tomorrow. Fortunately it doesn't have air conditioning so I aint worried about the task ahead.
With my old 76, which didn't have air cond, it was a piece of cake. I did the 76 long ago, before I attempted the air equipped 73 so I was disillusioned with how "simple the job would be. Yikes. Screw the air!
I'm getting ready to do my 74 here tomorrow. Fortunately it doesn't have air conditioning so I aint worried about the task ahead.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 469
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From: Bancroft, MI
I just wanted to thank you guys for posting this topic. I removed a heater from my 79 F350 and put it in my 78 F250 4X4 today and it went very well using the instuctions provided in this thread. I bought this 78 about 2 weeks ago and am using my 79 F350 as a donor truck.
