Help: Heater Core Replacement? - 1987 Mustang

[calbear]

Although this is a Fox mustang question in general, how have you handled your rotted out heater cores?

I'm headed back to LA and 1 of my goals during the wk of vacation is to get my exhaust put on and also to take care of the heater core issue.

I already attempted to do this myself. Once I got to the actual core, I could not get enough access to pry open the box that contains the core. Since the AC lines are still attached there's not enough wiggle room to get the box slide out so that you can pull out the core.

Does anyone know of someone in Southern CA (South Bay) who is good at this sort of work in a reasonable fashion? I could take everything apart and then just have them do the final core work- if they need to discharge the AC lines, the R-12 is going to be $$$$$.


I'm even willing to take everything apart again so that they can get access to the actual core.

Thanks in advance.

[calbear]

Cheapest way: create a heater-core bypass: 3/4" and 5/8" rubber plugs and a u-shaped heater hose: 3/4" -> 5/8". Less than $20 at OReilly's

Optimal way:
- dissembled interior myself: removed passenger seat, glove box, radio, center console, dash pod, speaker grills.
- purchased replacement heater core, new Ford OEM heater core hoses with flow restrictor: LRS parts ~$50
- drove car to MAC's Radiator Service in Bellflower, CA: labor including R-12 discharge and adding 1lb Freon, oil, dye ~ $532 including tax.
- 2 days in the shop.
- self reassemble interior
- also, went to home depot to get a ground rod clamp and ground wire since the new heater core is aluminium and there are concerns re: coolant ionic current where the aluminium becomes the sacrificial anode. $10.

** hats off to Mac's. only 2 screws were left over and i figured out where they went. So far, no new rattles (knock on wood).

[SSC072]

Go to a shop and have them discharge your A/C system and put the platic caps over the hose ends, to keep dirt and what not out, then you can pull the entire heater box our far enough to get the core out. Then have the shop recharge your A/C.

[tennesseemustangperformance]

You should not have to discharge the air conditioning in order the replace the heater core.

[calbear]

Although I've read accounts that people have done it, I could not on my car- I tried.

If I elected to cut open the side of the heater core box, yes- I definitely could have, but that's not my intent to hack up my car to save some $.

It worked out in the end since my car was 1lb low on Freon and I would never have known if they didn't discharge the system and also no leaks in AC system.

[Dave]

Sounds like a great experience.