1997-03 f150 Heater core change
12-03-2011, 11:34 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
1997-03 f150 Heater core change
i found this GREAT video on how to change out your heater core and it helped me tons
they also have tons of other videos that might help on other repairs
http://www.youtube.com/user/realfixe...?feature=watch
they also have tons of other videos that might help on other repairs
http://www.youtube.com/user/realfixe...?feature=watch
02-28-2013, 05:45 AM
#2
WOW I can see why people pay to get this done. Still thinking of doing this only because I have this video. Great Post and thanks a lot. Why didnt I know of this site before.
02-28-2013, 09:14 AM
#3
those videos were helpful when i did my heater core last month.
do what he said and get something to put all your screws/bolts in. there are about 50 or more screws and bolts to take out. i didnt have any small trays like he did so i put all the screws in a small plastic bin for one of my tool boxes. it helped keep them from getting lost but i ended up with a few left over screws lol
a tip for getting the bulk head connectors undone, unclip the underhood fuse box. itll make it 100xs easier to undo the 10mm bolts at the connectors. i took mine off with an impact drill.
i was able to get my coolant lines off of the heater core with my hands, no tool needed. just a good amount of force on the tabs and they pop right off.
the hardest part of the whole install was probably getting that damn blend door out. i was so afraid to use too much force trying to get it out cause i didnt want to break it.
do what he said and get something to put all your screws/bolts in. there are about 50 or more screws and bolts to take out. i didnt have any small trays like he did so i put all the screws in a small plastic bin for one of my tool boxes. it helped keep them from getting lost but i ended up with a few left over screws lol
a tip for getting the bulk head connectors undone, unclip the underhood fuse box. itll make it 100xs easier to undo the 10mm bolts at the connectors. i took mine off with an impact drill.
i was able to get my coolant lines off of the heater core with my hands, no tool needed. just a good amount of force on the tabs and they pop right off.
the hardest part of the whole install was probably getting that damn blend door out. i was so afraid to use too much force trying to get it out cause i didnt want to break it.
02-28-2013, 08:43 PM
#4
Ahh memories,.....
I am SOOOO glad I don't work at the dealer any more. I can't tell you how many of those I have done and what the guy didn't tell you is how he got all those scars on his hands.
Doing dash jobs like that one.
If you are a tech or at least VERY mechanically inclined, watch those vids a few times then go for it.
If you THINK you are pretty good with a socket or wrench DO NOT ATTEMPT.
I remember one job I was doing on a 2k towncar still in warranty, had an ABS issue that turned out to be a bad wiring harness, trouble is the harness was non repairable and the WHOLE body harness had to be replaced, bumper to bumper into all 4 doors under the carpet and all thru the headliner.
Customer came in mid repair needing something from the glovebox so I told him to go ahead it's over there--> (pointing to the left side of the stall where the car was at)( as well as the entire dash sitting on the floor). He went to the passenger door instead and opened it.
I'll never forget the look on his face when all he saw was firewall. I don't think I've ever seen a paler shade of white. 
He came back 2 or 3 weeks later and gave me kudo's of disbelief that his car would ever be the same quiet plush Lincoln he brought in and from that day forward a loyal customer.
I am SOOOO glad I don't work at the dealer any more. I can't tell you how many of those I have done and what the guy didn't tell you is how he got all those scars on his hands.
Doing dash jobs like that one.
If you are a tech or at least VERY mechanically inclined, watch those vids a few times then go for it.
If you THINK you are pretty good with a socket or wrench DO NOT ATTEMPT.
I remember one job I was doing on a 2k towncar still in warranty, had an ABS issue that turned out to be a bad wiring harness, trouble is the harness was non repairable and the WHOLE body harness had to be replaced, bumper to bumper into all 4 doors under the carpet and all thru the headliner.
Customer came in mid repair needing something from the glovebox so I told him to go ahead it's over there--> (pointing to the left side of the stall where the car was at)( as well as the entire dash sitting on the floor). He went to the passenger door instead and opened it.
I'll never forget the look on his face when all he saw was firewall.
I don't think I've ever seen a paler shade of white. He came back 2 or 3 weeks later and gave me kudo's of disbelief that his car would ever be the same quiet plush Lincoln he brought in and from that day forward a loyal customer.
Last edited by RLXXI; 02-28-2013 at 08:45 PM.
