Radiator Flushing
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Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Lee's Summit MO
Radiator Flushing
It depends on the year and model, but the old style antifreeze, the green kind is said to be every 30k, but I think you can take it further. Usually it goes by the degree. -35 is the norm.
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Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Radiator Flushing
Usually the issue with heater cores is not the part cost but the labor for installation. Some are wedged way up under the dash and take hours to change. I was blessed that the only heater core that ever went out on me was my '71 Ford Custom 4-door car. There was a plate under the hood that you unscrewed and the core just slid out. A good mechanic could have completed the job in 5 minutes. But I have heard horror stories of dashboards having to be removed to change a heater core (perhaps those were GM cars? or GM mechanics?). I don't think I have stayed on top of the 2-year flush regime (but certainly will get the flush when it loses its nice green color) and haven't had any other heater core problems. My '84 F150 was on its third radiator by about 160,000 miles, but still had the original heater core.
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From: Sun River St. George
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Joined: Feb 2000
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Radiator Flushing
Several years back, I had to replace the heater core on the wife's 86 Taurus wagon. Literally had the entire dash out of the car to get to it....(sigh)....what a job THAT was! :-(
Gene
Gene
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 241
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From: Holland, Michigan
Radiator Flushing
Worst possible heater core to change.....early 90's Plymouth Acclaim's and it's other m*par cohorts. 13.5 hours book time, plus you have to have all the refrigerant sucked out of the A-C system (if so equipped), the remove the A-C evaporator and remove the entire dash board. Most horrible heater ever........
TBirdGuy
"Stuck with a m*par, Settle for a ch*vy, Happy with a Ford!!!!"
TBirdGuy
"Stuck with a m*par, Settle for a ch*vy, Happy with a Ford!!!!"
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
Radiator Flushing
Hmmmmm. I wonder if there are any restored '71 Ford Customs for sale?
How is the heater core R&R in F150s? Seems on my '84 it was right there under the hood but would have to go out under dash. I always thought if it went, I'd cut off the end of the plastic housing and pull it out the easy way and then glue/screw/whatever the housing back together.
How is the heater core R&R in F150s? Seems on my '84 it was right there under the hood but would have to go out under dash. I always thought if it went, I'd cut off the end of the plastic housing and pull it out the easy way and then glue/screw/whatever the housing back together.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 241
Likes: 2
From: Holland, Michigan
Radiator Flushing
I forgot to mention it in my last post, but I know what you mean TallPall about that little plate. I replaced the heater core in my T-Bird when I dropped in my knew motor just for the heck of it. With the old motor out, I jumped right in the engine bay and swapped the heater core in in about 5 - 7 min. It was definitely a great thing, considering I had the fresh memory in my mind of the Plymouth Acclaim I had to replace at work.
TBirdGuy
"Stuck with a m*par, Settle for a ch*vy, Happy with a Ford!!!!"
TBirdGuy
"Stuck with a m*par, Settle for a ch*vy, Happy with a Ford!!!!"
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