I am sure this hase been answered before but can't seem to find it. How do you get to the heater core on an 86 F150 without A/C? I have heard I may have to remove the dash. Seems like an engineering mistake if that is the case. Maybe on purpose huh?
Please help.

 

I don't know for sure on an '86, but I recently did the one on my '84 (with A/C). You just take out the glove box and you have access to it. You'll have to disconnect the hoses on the engine side of the firewall and then remove it from inside the cab, behind the glove box.

 

I did my non AC 86 a few weeks ago. Take out your glove box and it's in front of you. Remove the screws that hold the black cover and there it is. Easiest one I've ever done. 45 minutes.

Now my wifes 87 T bird, 5 hrs. Had to take out the dash.

 

Yep do what everyone said to. I tried that way with a 84 without A/C doesn't work, not the same..... Had to take off the whole heater box

 

I appreciate the information but there seems to be a controversy as to with and without a/c. I hope what I have is the one with easy access from the glove box.

Thanks

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/5...ht=heater+core

Did a search for you on heater core replacement. I have both a 85 F-350 w/ AC. Changed the H/C by removing the glove box - easy to do. I have a 86 F-250 w/o AC. Have not changed it, but per the link above to another FTE's member's post, no AC, apparently means you have to remove the bolts that hold the heater box together that sits in the engine bay on the pass side to change out the heater core. Also, make sre you know which heater core you need, since they sell both a HO version and a standard version. Hope this helps

 

Talked to the parts store this morning. Seems there are three different cores. They have the most common one and will get another just to increase the chances of having the right one. Nice guys.

 

Also, keep in mind, there is a foam type gasket that usually that goes w/ the heater core - When I ordered mine throught LMC truck, it did not come w/ the gasket. I was able to reuse th one that was in there when I took out the old heater core.

 

The 3 types of heater cores:

1) Standard w/ AC
2) Standard w/o AC
3) HO w/o AC (I have this one in my 86 F-250. It say "High Ouput" on the heater box in the engine bay. Plus it is a little taller the the first 2

 

There is the Standard heater.

There is the High Output Heater.

and then there is A/C equipped.


The high output heater has "high output" stamped on the box, on some models I've seen.

All were installed at the factory in the firewall, before the dash was assymbeld.

This is for a truck without a/c.

1: Look around the truck. look at the heater box under the hood. Does it say "high output" anywhere on it? It was marked really plain on the high output heater box I saw in the yard 2 months ago.

2: Drain the coolant, remove the hoses and the cable.

3: Remove the glove box, this will make reaching the three bolts and nuts on the firewall much easier to access.

4: There are screws on the outside holding the box together from the outside as well. remove all the screws etc...

5: After all the screws and bolts are unfastened, the box should come off the firewall pretty easy. The gasket may be a little sticky to the firewall but it should come clean off in one piece. If it don't or it's brittle, you will need a new one, or another used one.

6: You will have to dissasymble the box. there are bolt headed screws that you will have to remove from the box, should be pretty evident which ones. You will also have to remove the heater blend door. It's also held on with bolt headed screws. Again pretty evident.

7: You will probably notice that the gaskets on the heater blend door are shot. Made of a foam rubber type of material. Should be soft and pliable, but probably disentergrating by now. If you can, replace these gaskets for new ones, or make your own out of heat resistant material. The inside of the box gets really hot. This will help prevent air leaks, when the heater is full on or off for a cooler ride in summer, and warmer truck in winter. I made mine out of high heat resistant foam rubber, and glued them to the door with high temp silicone adhesive. you can get simular materials at most home heating and air conditioning places, and at home repair warehouses etc.

hope all this rambling helps.

 

Alright I think I have it all figured out now. I want to thank all who replied. It is amazing how much frustration a person can save by asking the right questions at the right place. We still have to put up with these damn computers but ya all know what I mean.

Thank brothers.