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Topic: Heater Core, ARGH! (Read 742 times) previous topic - next topic

Heater Core, ARGH!

Okay, so, there is no getting around it unless I want to spend a stupid amount of money on antifreeze, my 87 thunderbird NEEDS a heater core.

Now, thank goodness I didn't go to Catjam, I know, how can I even say that?), but it's true. I made a 3 hour trip instead to visit a friend and the ride down was great! The ride home however, NOT so great. To start, my car overheated and I had to pull off the 427 in Toronto only to discover my rad hose had a huge crack in it. And then to top it off, my cell phone died about a minute into talking to my who was two hours away. Now, for me to fix it by myself was a big thing, cuz I'm a girl, LOL. But I did and YES, all by myself without any help at. LOL. So after I got that all fixed and loaded it up with antifreeze I managed to make it home 3 hours later with only having to stop twice. By then, I had figured my car was all better. WRONGO.

Took out again Saturday night and it overheated again, smoke started coming out the heater panel and my foot got slightly burnt. There's no getting around it this time....it's gotta be fixed.

So has anyone ever had to replace thiers before? I've heard it's a pain in the rear end and a LOT of work. If you have, do you have any tips and/or helpful suggestions for me??

Thanks everyone!

Heater Core, ARGH!

Reply #1 –
http://www.coolcats.net/tech/troubleshooting/heatercore.html

That was compiled using photos and information from lots of people. It should be a very good guide for ya.

One thing: be SURE to use a genuine Ford heater core. It's more money but definitely last a lot longer than other aftermarket cores. Last check it was somewhere around $55 US.

Heater Core, ARGH!

Reply #2 –
Quote from: EricCoolCats
Last check it was somewhere around $55 US.

ARGGG!! My dealer charged me $75 :mad:
But it was the last one in stock in the area at the time. So I guess the gouging was justified for them.

It isn't too bad of a job. Those directions Eric posted are the best guide.

Heater Core, ARGH!

Reply #3 –
I can attest to not using cheap knockoff heater cores!  Mine has been in there since march and it already failed..  tube broke right off the core!
One 88

Heater Core, ARGH!

Reply #4 –
Yeah, heater cores really suck when they fail..
I had to put another one in my white car this past summer, but lucky for me, I lready had the TC, so guess what, my dash came out YET again...I think at this point I could remove and install an '87-'88 Tbird dash in the dark ;)
'98 Explorer 5.0
'20 Malibu (I know, Chevy, but, 35MPG. Let's go brandon, eh)

Heater Core, ARGH!

Reply #5 –
Thanks for your help everyone, gonna try and by pass it for now I think and worry about it later.  Least that won't fill my car up with steam/smoke and burn my foot.

Heater Core, ARGH!

Reply #6 –
Quote
I can attest to not using cheap knockoff heater cores! Mine has been in there since march and it already failed..  tube broke right off the core!


Yep happened to me too, 1 year after I changed the heater core. One thing that sucks about that job is doing it TWICE!
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