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Topic: Question on heating core area leak help !!!!!! (Read 2882 times) previous topic - next topic

Question on heating core area leak help !!!!!!

Hi Guys
  I was wondering if someone knowledgeable in the heating core area can give me a heads up .

I have a 84 Thunderbird and was wondering if there is a rubber hose somewhere connected to the heating core  ????

I had replaced the thermostat as the old one was broken and was frozen open, the guy gave me a replacement that did not look like the original but said it was correct so I installed it when I got home and went for a test drive.

I was driving about 3 miles and woosh I feel a burning on my leg and see all the water coming into the car (more than a simple leak) so I manage to fill it up with water and get home.

I take the new replacement thermostat out and tested it and it was non functional as it always stayed closed even after placed in boiling water.


My question:  Is there an internal hose near the heating core inside the car that could have burst as I have never had a heating core fail or leak like that in the past in any car..

Thank you in advance for any help

Question on heating core area leak help !!!!!!

Reply #1
Sorry but it does sound like the heater core has gone there is only two hoses in the engine bay that fix onto the core tubes.if you don't have air conditioning it's not to bad a job but will take a day as it's buried behind the dash.

Question on heating core area leak help !!!!!!

Reply #2
Yeah, two hoses on the firewall connect directly to the heater core, and that's the only coolant passage inside the passenger cabin. If there is antifreeze dumping inside the car, it's 100% heater core failure.

1984's aren't as hard as 85-88 with the straight dash and all, in my opinion. It's a time consuming job, but it's not really all that hard.

If you plan on keeping the car, try to get a OEM Ford heater core, not a parts-store brand. The generic ones don't last.
CoogarXR : 1985 Cougar XR-7

Question on heating core area leak help !!!!!!

Reply #3
I believe there is a writeup on coolcats.net to help you.
Mike

Question on heating core area leak help !!!!!!

Reply #4
Best thing you can do for a C3 is replace it with a C4, of course for a 2.3 is easier said than done... Pains me now that 20 years ago I gave the s guy a 2.3 Fairmont C4...

Question on heating core area leak help !!!!!!

Reply #5
Thank you all for your reply's and I bought the better one , before I install it I will make a brace to strengthen it as others on the side have done

Question on heating core area leak help !!!!!!

Reply #6
I forgot to ask is the larger diameter tube on the heater core the inlet?



Also does someone know where I can get the heater core restrictor for it as many suggested putting one in the inlet tube

Question on heating core area leak help !!!!!!

Reply #7
Quote from: bossman;454680
I forgot to ask is the larger diameter tube on the heater core the inlet?



Also does someone know where I can get the heater core restrictor for it as many suggested putting one in the inlet tube

https://lmr.com/item/LRS-18599A/79-04-Mustang-Heater-Core-Flow-Restrictor

When I bought mine it  was a metal piece.  You can also use a 1/4" socket that fits in the line and put a hose clamp around the hose to hold it in place.
Mike


Question on heating core area leak help !!!!!!

Reply #9
Hi; if your car has a/c it will be a pain in the ass, my 88 cougar took me 2 days to replace core, heater box needs to come out, and you have to unbolt the dash and column.

 

Question on heating core area leak help !!!!!!

Reply #10
I can get the core in and most of the interior back in place in about two hours if I have to.

Bypass it till until you have two-three days just in case. Don't rush it, put all the screws in baggies and write where they came from with a sharpie. Don't be like me and have 12 left over. Its really not a bad job unless its below freezing and has to be done that day.
Quote from: jcassity
I honestly dont think you could exceed the cost of a new car buy installing new *stock* parts everywhere in your coug our tbird. Its just plain impossible. You could revamp the entire drivetrain/engine/suspenstion and still come out ahead.
Hooligans! 
1988 Crown Vic wagon. 120K California car. Wifes grocery getter. (junked)
1987 Ford Thunderbird LX. 5.0. s.o., sn-95 t-5 and an f-150 clutch. Driven daily and going strong.
1986 cougar.
lilsammywasapunkrocker@yahoo.com