1988 cougar 5.0 heater core

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1988 cougar 5.0 heater core

September 22, 2013, 09:50:59 PM

1988 mercury 5.0 5speed

anyone know where I can get instructions on how to install new heater core?

appreciate any information you guys supply

thanks in advance:D

1988 cougar 5.0 heater core

Reply #1 – September 22, 2013, 10:06:20 PM

I assume its the same as the 5.0 mustang, take out the console, drop the steering column, remove glove box, take a bunch of screws out of the dash, now here's what I did and some may cringe but it saves a lot of time, I cut a panel out of the airbox disconnected the hoses and pushed it out pushed the new one back in and tapped up the box with metal tape, I've done this on several cars and have never had a problem. I can do a fox car in about 2 hrs this way as a matter of fact I've got to do my 88 tbird very soon its getting cold.

1988 cougar 5.0 heater core

Reply #2 – September 22, 2013, 10:50:05 PM

I can do mine in 2 and a half without butchering my plenum. For the extra half hour, I'd pull the dash. Just pull it back and set it on the seats with the console out. No big.

1988 cougar 5.0 heater core

Reply #3 – September 22, 2013, 11:32:00 PM

Here's THE source:

http://www.coolcats.net/help/heatercore.html

1988 cougar 5.0 heater core

Reply #4 – September 22, 2013, 11:41:38 PM

Quote from: Kafer79;422170

Here's THE source:

http://www.coolcats.net/help/heatercore.html

That's what I used, very good tutorial

1988 cougar 5.0 heater core

Reply #5 – September 23, 2013, 01:16:06 AM

I like my way better a lot easier

Going through the firewall is what I did
The link to it is in my DIY link below

I've always been totally against tearing out the dash of a fully proper working functional instrument cluster and so forth only to find out because you change your heater core now you have electrical problems
http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?34998-AND-NOW!!!!-It-s-a-1hour-or-less-heater-core&daysprune=100

1988 cougar 5.0 heater core

Reply #6 – September 23, 2013, 02:08:04 AM

I installed a new Ford blower motor while I was in there. Mine was getting weak

1988 cougar 5.0 heater core

Reply #7 – September 24, 2013, 09:40:35 AM

Quote from: Kafer79;422170

Here's THE source:

http://www.coolcats.net/help/heatercore.html

This is what I used also, went quite well. Just take your time and be careful.

1988 cougar 5.0 heater core

Reply #8 – September 24, 2013, 08:19:19 PM

I did mine in 2 hours after work one night, in the snow, with nothing for light but a cheap 5 LED light. I did my buddies a few weeks later in an hour. It's not a hard job and there really aren't that many bolts holding the dash in. Drop the steering column down, unbolt everything, and just pull it out far enough to slide the box out through the passenger side. You might be amazed at what all you find down in there

1988 cougar 5.0 heater core

Reply #9 – September 24, 2013, 09:16:08 PM

I understand it's easier with manual heat/ac that with EATC like I have. I will say that these original cores are made with a fortune's worth of copper. I've always had more trouble with copper than with aluminum, so that that's the way I went with the latest one. I did get a great opportunity to brush up on my brazing skills, as there were about a hundred leaks in my old one. By the time I nailed down all the leaks, I think I could have passed for a master at it.

1988 cougar 5.0 heater core

Reply #10 – September 25, 2013, 11:24:10 AM

x2, the climate control systems air box and wiring and gizmos are a totally different set up than manual heat, which the instructions were based on.