The mule truck just blew a heater core...

[sle2115]

Refresh my memory as to changing one on an 1987 F250 without A/C. Looks pretty straight forward, anything I need besides the heater core? It has been smelling a little like a/f in the cab since I got it running. Had to do a little rough off roading and it must have shaken it enough to make a seeper into a gusher!!!

Will get heater core ordered as I am sure no one stocks it. Wanted to have a game plan for R&R in mind before I get the part.

 

[gunnie]

very straight forward, drop the glove box cover and remove 4 screws on the cover it comes right out, autozone or o'reillys carry them, shouldn't need to order special, on a difficulty scale of 1 to 10 with ten being extremely difficult i'd give it a 2.5

 

[NapaBavarian]

Even this guy could do it

 

[h2odrx]

Even this guy could do it

is he for hire?????

 

[NapaBavarian]

Yes, I can email him to you, there is a small hours meter on his right hand, he dosn't cost much, but the bull charges.

 

[Mikes91]

I posted this elsewhere, but will ask here.

Is there anything in that compartment (where the heater core is located) that would rattle?

 

[The Warden]

The heater core itself might rattle, if the rubber surrounding it didn't get put back in when it was replaced.

Otherwise, I can't think of anything that woudl rattle, unless something's broken...there are a few pics in the heater core article I did; maybe that would help?

 

[sle2115]

WOW, not really being a Ford fan, I was impressed how easy this actually was. Since my wife owns a Sable, and it would be easier to replace the car than the heater core, I was worried! Seems this was the easiest thing I have ever changed on this truck. My mom and dad called and said they were coming to get my little girl so spend the night, they live about 18 minutes away. I went out and had it done and was warming the GP's as they pulled in the driveway! For once Ford did something right (sorry Ford fans).

 

[sle2115]

The heater core itself might rattle, if the rubber surrounding it didn't get put back in when it was replaced.

Otherwise, I can't think of anything that woudl rattle, unless something's broken...there are a few pics in the heater core article I did; maybe that would help?

I had looked at that article. Just so you know, the pictures of the core and housing looks exactly the same, even though mine is an 87 and does not have air conditioning. I bet I could swap you covers!!! The main difference I see is the glove box. You have to take the 87 out as was suggested, which basically involves removing a plastic push pin and then working the box stop out past it's contact area. Once that is done (1 minute or less) you have a view of exactly what your pictures show. I guess I was concerned as your article was for up to 86, and since there were revisions in 87 to the body, I was afraid it would be much difference.

 

[troutwest66]

I believe the '92-'97 MYs are the same on that. My jockey box just basically lifts out once you depress the sides that stops it from opening too far. The cover on mine would probably swap with the older ones, too. I wouldn't be surprised if the cores are interchangeable. The heater motor and squirrel cage are easy to remove, too. No more crawling under the dash.

 

[bikepilot]

IMO this how all heater cores/evaps should be. I did a dodge intrepid a while ago, what a PITA!

Step one in the Mitchel instructions is "Remove driver and passenger seats"
Step two "pull steering column"

it only gets worse from there:doh

(btw it can be done without pulling the seats, but manuvering that huge dash out with them inplace is tight and requires an extra set of hands.)

 

[icanfixall]

The first time I replaced my heater core my neighbor told me Ford would charge me about $700.00 to do it because the whole dash needs to come out. So there I was pulling the dash out. Now because of this site and "another" site I know my neighbor was painfully WRONG. My second heater core was really no problem at all. I knew how it was done and I didn't remove the dash this time. That was years ago. Ford only gets my smile as I drive by looking in at all the powerstrokes in the driveway waiting for service...

 

[Diesel JD]

Well this is definitely one place where Ford is way simpler than GM. My NAPA parts guy is a GM man througha nd through, he said it was a very hard job on his Suburban, what with having to remove the dashborad and all the ductwork....yikes. This guy is a very good mechanic too, so I shudder to think how bad it would be for the average joe.

 

[sle2115]

Well this is definitely one place where Ford is way simpler than GM. My NAPA parts guy is a GM man througha nd through, he said it was a very hard job on his Suburban, what with having to remove the dashborad and all the ductwork....yikes. This guy is a very good mechanic too, so I shudder to think how bad it would be for the average joe.

Well, sometimes it is true that GM's are harder and sometimes it is not. If you have never had the pleasure of doing an early 90's Sable/Taurus, then you should try one of those! I think the Labor guide says 7 or 8 hours! My Chevy trucks never were bad, but I never had a suburban either. That said, they were never as easy as this 87 F250.

 

[troutwest66]

I helped my buddy do one on his wife's Olds Bravado a few years back and we spent more time running around that stupid thing getting more etools and trying to find every stinking bolt or screw that needed to come off. The dash stayed in though. Ruined a day of fishing in the irrigation ponds! 25" rainbows in the lower lake and 16 inchers in the upper. He lives/ works on a ranch northwest of Coulee City, WA.