Heater Core Box - Rivets?
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From: Other side of the sunrise
Heater Core Box - Rivets?
I have a 74 F250 4x4. No air conditioning. I am changing the heater core and am at a loss. I can't find my Haynes Manual and seem to remember from changing the core in my other trucks that there were screws and nut clips holding the heater box cover on. This 74 has rivets holding the box together. Hmmm.
Did these trucks come from the factory with rivets or have I forgotten how to do a heater core change? I don't think I'm that old yet but maybe I forgot how old I am....
Both of my past highboys, 73 and 76, had screws, but possibly the previous owners drilled out the rivets and replaced them with screws???
Please respond before I go start drilling. I would hate to realize that I drilled out a perfect part unnecessarily. Could this really be the original heater core? This truck is in excellent condition for it's age. Maybe the mileage on the odometer is correct. That would be amaizing. If so, I will be kicking myself in the butt for doing the engine swap and disc brake conversion that I did, on a possible collector truck.
Anyway, please reply with your guy's knowledge and experience.
Thank, T
Did these trucks come from the factory with rivets or have I forgotten how to do a heater core change? I don't think I'm that old yet but maybe I forgot how old I am....
Both of my past highboys, 73 and 76, had screws, but possibly the previous owners drilled out the rivets and replaced them with screws???Please respond before I go start drilling. I would hate to realize that I drilled out a perfect part unnecessarily. Could this really be the original heater core? This truck is in excellent condition for it's age. Maybe the mileage on the odometer is correct. That would be amaizing. If so, I will be kicking myself in the butt for doing the engine swap and disc brake conversion that I did, on a possible collector truck.
Anyway, please reply with your guy's knowledge and experience.
Thank, T
Last edited by olfordsnstone; Oct 14, 2006 at 02:03 PM.
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Tim, every late 70's ford truck that I have owned or had for parts had screws in the cover,
possible that the screw hols got stripped & rivets were a quick alternative?
If your not in a hurry, tonight when I get home from work I can c/o all the boxes I have again & let you know,
If you are in need of the heater & the core is leaking, there may be no choice but to drill it & put screws or rivets back in,
possible that the screw hols got stripped & rivets were a quick alternative?
If your not in a hurry, tonight when I get home from work I can c/o all the boxes I have again & let you know,
If you are in need of the heater & the core is leaking, there may be no choice but to drill it & put screws or rivets back in,
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When I replaced the engine with my rebuilt, I couldn't get the heater hose off of the nipple on the heater core. I had to take a pair of plyers and tried twisting the hose back and forth to try to break free, without collapsing the nipple. Oops, the solder gave and the nipple came out. I thought about resoldering it back in, but cant get into the hole in the firewall deep enough to do a good job. And for something like a heater core, it would be a shame to ruin a new engine if it blew out and I didn't catch it soon enough. Not worth the effort to fix in place, considering possible consequences I guess.
Anyway, yeah LR, if you could take a look and see. I'm think that drilling and replacing with nut clips might be the thing to do. I just would hate to do that if there was a trick on some models, or??? Checking before drilling. Kinda like measuring twice and cutting once phylosophy in carpentry.
Now, I think I'll view that video in your signature again. Can't get enough of it. Let me know when your competing again.
Thanks Link
Anyway, yeah LR, if you could take a look and see. I'm think that drilling and replacing with nut clips might be the thing to do. I just would hate to do that if there was a trick on some models, or??? Checking before drilling. Kinda like measuring twice and cutting once phylosophy in carpentry.
Now, I think I'll view that video in your signature again. Can't get enough of it. Let me know when your competing again.
Thanks Link
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This is the best I could do for you with short notice 
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...id=131250&.jpg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...id=131250&.jpg
Last edited by Torque1st; Oct 21, 2006 at 08:37 PM.
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From: Collierville
If you pull the air box out there is a plate on the fire wall side that is connected to the box with 11/32 square head screws covering the heater core.
replace the blower motor while you have it out. Not worth the time not to.
replace the blower motor while you have it out. Not worth the time not to.
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Whooa,
OK, I haven't drilled the rivets out yet so it is not too late. Am I to understand that there is a way to remove the air box? The way I am reading this, the air box can be pulled out and then I can access the heater core from the firewall side of the box.
If this is correct, what do I need to do to remove the air box? What holds it in place?
In the past, I have found screws holding the cab side of the air box cover to the firewall side. As I stated before, this one doesn't have screws. Have the ones I have done before been modified or is this just a different design. I know how back in the 70's , Ford's motto was "A Better Idea", so there were alot of differring designs on several parts.
Thanks for the replies so far guys. I'll hold out for a little while on the heater core job until I get the straight scoop. I'll just have to make sure I have an ice scraper and warm coat.
OK, I haven't drilled the rivets out yet so it is not too late. Am I to understand that there is a way to remove the air box? The way I am reading this, the air box can be pulled out and then I can access the heater core from the firewall side of the box.
If this is correct, what do I need to do to remove the air box? What holds it in place?
In the past, I have found screws holding the cab side of the air box cover to the firewall side. As I stated before, this one doesn't have screws. Have the ones I have done before been modified or is this just a different design. I know how back in the 70's , Ford's motto was "A Better Idea", so there were alot of differring designs on several parts.
Thanks for the replies so far guys. I'll hold out for a little while on the heater core job until I get the straight scoop. I'll just have to make sure I have an ice scraper and warm coat.
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From: lino lakes, mn
first remove the glove box door and liner -unbolt the passenger side air vent assembly -drain the cooling system -from the firewall side remove the two nuts by the heater motor and about center of the firewall is a lone nut/stud 7/16 head remove it -back in the cab remove the dash brace -use a stubby screw driver and remove the defroster cable- pull the heater box towards you and finess it out of thye cab now you can remove everything frrom the box . next time cut the heater hose with a razor knife they'er easy to replace.
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The important thing is that right hand side dashboard screw/bolt/nut.
You have to pull on the dash outwardly to get the heater box by it
You have to pull on the dash outwardly to get the heater box by it
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From: Other side of the sunrise
Thanks guys! I'll get rolling on this prolly tomorrow. Wish I could find that dog gonned manual. Suppose I'll have to go buy another. I've been through at least two over the years. That's before I lost track of this one... Gremlins...
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Well Dennis, you could offer to drive on down here and drink beers with me while I R&R the thing. I'll buy. I'll even buy Canadian Imported Beer! In fact, the weather's still OK down here so I'll even throw in a BBQ with a couple of T Bone Steaks and a game of horseshoes.
Deal?????
Haa, No - really, thanks for the schematic. I'll need to get some higher power eye shoes though to see it clearly on my computer screen. I do appreciate the post brotha. I'm sure it will come in real handy when I'm cussing out my dash.
T
Deal?????
Haa, No - really, thanks for the schematic. I'll need to get some higher power eye shoes though to see it clearly on my computer screen. I do appreciate the post brotha. I'm sure it will come in real handy when I'm cussing out my dash.
T
Last edited by olfordsnstone; Oct 16, 2006 at 12:11 AM.
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From: Other side of the sunrise
So I guess I don't need to run to the store for a twelver of Moosehead???
Sure, please post that expanded version. Some of the lines meld into eachother from my view.
Thanks, T
Sure, please post that expanded version. Some of the lines meld into eachother from my view.
Thanks, T
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Last edited by Torque1st; Oct 21, 2006 at 08:34 PM.