Heater core is confirmed to taking a !

January 13, 2006, 05:44:05 AM

Well I finally got my 1988 XR-7 on the road last month after 2 years of sitting in the garage. My speed density HO motor with the Crane Compucam(.530/.530 lift) cam, e7's with GT-40 valves, high volume oil pump, 1.6 roller rockers, FMS roller timing chain and 88 5 speed stang computer gets the car around great, even with the timing at *12 and 87 octane gas! The engine has about 1600 miles on it now and on its second break in oil change.

I noticed my heat was not the warmest and I did not want to drive it in the Illinois winters but I was so excited to get my drivers license back this September after 5 years, getting the car driveable again and legally being able to drive my pride and joy!
Yesterday, I was driving home from work and turned the vent(heat) on and the puff of smoke and that sweet smell came through the vents. I suspected a little film on the windshield earlier, and the heat not being too warm, but I wasn't too sure, yet.

I have had a few go out in the past (1980 Thunderbird and a 1989 Crown Victoria). The Thunderbird, one of the pipes broke off the heater core at the firewall and dumped antifreeze all over the passenger floorboard. The CV, The whole cooling system ped out piece after piece. I replaced heater cores in both cars and remember, case of beer later, they take quite some time and patience to do.

What concerns me about the Cougar is having to remove the center console and the shifter. Is this fairly simple with no chance of breaking anything? I read Coolcats replacement and printed it out and this is probably the best info a person can find for our cars!

I figure I will take a stroll through the car wash, get some gas and stabil and park it in the garage for a few weeks or months and get this heater core replaced.

Thanks guys and gals, I will try to keep posted if I run into any snags.