[StangLX93]

this thread is to help some fellow stanger out with Fox mustangs this will show you how to get your heater core out without having to evacuate your a/c system,

basic overview:
total time is about 3 1/2 to get the core in (not including putting the dash back in)

basic hand tools

start by taking your center console off
then the underpart of your dash
once you have all the screws out the dash will pull fairly easy


drop the steering wheel it will help out big time

i orginally thougth if i pull the cover for the heater core then it will be easier to get the core in and out, not true, try to leave the box in place lift up with your biggest man muscle you've got (not enough to break the cover though) and slide the old core out

Then same thing grunt and breath lift the cover enough to push the new core in be careful not bend any fins or dent the core it will fail sooner then expected if you feel your losing you grip pull it out and rest till you can get it again, patients is the key to this job

also if your by yourself and noone to help you very and ever so slighty bend the input line and output line of the core slightly up to locate the hole in the fire wall easier about 1/4 inch should do, but i can emphasize enough very carfully bend them remember its copper its a soft metal

well i hope this helps it was a adventure for me but with patients and good music and beer it worked out great, just in time for the cold weather

[RLG34750]

Great post.....

I'm sure this will help many others....

[redwalsh87]

Great post! I am hoping I will never have to take part in this fun but know I won't be completely lost. Like the pictures.

[EagleAutosports]

Finally, someone documented this.

[StangLX93]

i have putting this off, when i got back from iraq in may my car had the green pool of death, so i figured its going to be hot till atleast october, well now its cooler and it couldnt wait, but im gald this will help many, to say the least it was not as hard as some had described to me, good luck to all

[Young_Buck]

Making it easy for all of us!

Thanks!



-YB

[StangLX93]

welcome to all!!!!, update on the performance of the new heater core, its doing awsome, the new core starts to give heat after about 10mins of the car being started even after the car has been sitting for about 8-9 hours, and no leaks yet so i'd put a check in the box for "Great Success"

[jerry9665]

Might be time to replace mine. I can smell a faint odor of antifreeze coming from the vents. No pools yet though.

[BLKPONY5.0]

Great info!! I wish i would have found this two weeks ago!! LOL Still have not put center console in awaiting carpet to arrive. Got any insight I might need to know on that??

[Mercedez L.]

That's a big job better make sure the interior gets put back in corrrectly. It's an all day job from what the dealership told me.

[StangLX93]

it was a bit time consuming, but it didnt take all day/night, the dealers tell you the book time it will take to complete. myself being in a shop and working with other mechanics we all have trick up our sleeves to get the job done quicker an thats how they make their money, if your advanced on working with cars its really a pretty straight forward job, but i hope this thread has shown enough detail to get a good idea on what to expect, and preventative measure to insure it does fail again after install

[StangLX93]

Originally Posted by BLKPONY5.0

Great info!! I wish i would have found this two weeks ago!! LOL Still have not put center console in awaiting carpet to arrive. Got any insight I might need to know on that??

good amount of triming to get it to fit, but that should be any easy install, the center console i think took me about 10min to get it completly out, and about 10mins to get it in

[Mercedez L.]

Originally Posted by StangLX93

it was a bit time consuming, but it didnt take all day/night, the dealers tell you the book time it will take to complete. myself being in a shop and working with other mechanics we all have trick up our sleeves to get the job done quicker an thats how they make their money, if your advanced on working with cars its really a pretty straight forward job, but i hope this thread has shown enough detail to get a good idea on what to expect, and preventative measure to insure it does fail again after install

What are the preventative measures to get the heater core to last longer?
How long does it take professional mechanics who their own shops and equipment to do this job?
Ford will tell you all day.

[StangLX93]

preventative measures, like highlighted in the pictures the factory "dumb gum", this stuff hardens after years of heat and cold temps, and when the new core seats on this surface its hard enough to bend some fins and possibly cores and creates weak spots which in turn breaks down the structual integrity of the core, so taking care while working and paying attention to detail will prevent premature break down, the way i performed the work was not text book maintence so alot of shortcuts were used, like not discharging the A/C and fully removing the heater box, which removing them is the correct "text book' way, but when you speak to dealers and automotive shops, they tell you this cause if you new what the part price mark up was and the actaul time it took them you would say hey i payed too much, but thats how mechanics get paid and the shops make profit, but your also paying for the work to be done with warranty as well so its a double edge sword sorts speak

[Mercedez L.]

Originally Posted by StangLX93

preventative measures, like highlighted in the pictures the factory "dumb gum", this stuff hardens after years of heat and cold temps, and when the new core seats on this surface its hard enough to bend some fins and possibly cores and creates weak spots which in turn breaks down the structual integrity of the core, so taking care while working and paying attention to detail will prevent premature break down, the way i performed the work was not text book maintence so alot of shortcuts were used, like not discharging the A/C and fully removing the heater box, which removing them is the correct "text book' way, but when you speak to dealers and automotive shops, they tell you this cause if you new what the part price mark up was and the actaul time it took them you would say hey i payed too much, but thats how mechanics get paid and the shops make profit, but your also paying for the work to be done with warranty as well so its a double edge sword sorts speak

Dumb gum what's this and how can that be applied because the heater core is located inside an area that is difficult to get to.
Will changing the anti-freeze more often help?
I wouldn't want to have the freon discharged on these old cars because of the cost of replacing freon will cost lots of $$$$ and that if you can find it unless you get one of those conversion kits.