Heater Core Leaking...Just Shoot Me NOW!

[Nyghtshayd]

Ok, I got the dash out now for the "easy" part. I hope to get this done this Saturday!

 

[Nyghtshayd]

I got the dash off last week.
Now to saw off the pipes in that tight @$$ space.
I don't even remember where all the screws went!

LOL

 

[Nyghtshayd]

Ok, Now I really need some help...

I cannot reach the pipes to the core at all.
Is there another way to get the core out?
Anyone know where I can get a walk-thru for a gen-1?
Like I said earlier, I was following the T-Bird walk thru but there is more space to move.

Thanks in advance!

 

[J]

Wow.....thats the most generic walkthrough I've seen on AllData, haha.

Here ya go....

Disconnect battery ground cable.
Drain radiator coolant into suitable container.
Remove instrument panel.
Remove seal from heater core tubes.
Remove A/C electronic door actuator motor, three screws, from A/C evaporator housing.
Remove heater core cover and seal from A/C evaporator housing.
Disconnect heater hoses from heater tubes.
Carefully pull evaporator assembly away from dash panel and remove evaporator case from vehicle.
Reverse procedure to install.

 

[Nyghtshayd]

Thanks for trying. but I need more info

 

[frankjc]

Wow.....thats the most generic walkthrough I've seen on AllData, haha.

Here ya go....

Disconnect battery ground cable.
Drain radiator coolant into suitable container.
Remove instrument panel.
Remove seal from heater core tubes.
Remove A/C electronic door actuator motor, three screws, from A/C evaporator housing.
Remove heater core cover and seal from A/C evaporator housing.
Disconnect heater hoses from heater tubes.
Carefully pull evaporator assembly away from dash panel and remove evaporator case from vehicle.
Reverse procedure to install.

Can you say easier said than done?..lol That is pretty vague.

 

[Nyghtshayd]

What about the evaporator housing. Does anyone know how to remove that?

 

[budpytko]

Looks easy if you are that far!!! LOL

"Carefully pull evaporator assembly away from dash panel and remove evaporator case from vehicle"

 

[Nyghtshayd]

I can't see where the bolt locations are. I yank on it and it doesn't budge... Anyone have a pic?

 

[J]

Can you say easier said than done?..lol That is pretty vague.

I was suprised, usually AllData has tons of pictures and stuff, heck most of the repair walkthroughs include a picture of the battery with an arrow indicating how to remove the positive battery cable. Haha.

Looks easy if you are that far!!! LOL

"Carefully pull evaporator assembly away from dash panel and remove evaporator case from vehicle"

Haha...seriously.

I can't see where the bolt locations are. I yank on it and it doesn't budge... Anyone have a pic?

If I'm not mistaken, the evaporator attaches from the firewall. Get a flashlight and look behind the engine, I bet you'll see some nuts holding the entire thing to the inside of the dash. The only downfall that you're probably going to run into is that they A/C system is probably going to have to be disconnected. Let me see if I can find out some more.

 

[J]

No pictures man...sorry!

Here is some more info on how to remove the evaporator core (which is PRESSURIZED with freon)...

Remove instrument panel.
Remove floor register to bottom of evaporator case retaining screw.
Remove evaporator case to cowl top panel retaining screw.
Disconnect vacuum line, electrical connections and aspirator hose from evaporator case.
Remove evaporator case to dash panel retaining nuts.
Carefully pull evaporator assembly away from dash panel and remove evaporator case from vehicle.
Reverse procedure to install. Ensure correct type O-rings are installed on A/C fittings.

 

[budpytko]

Does this mean he has to have the A/C evacuated? Or should I say, OMYGOSH...lookit the bad leak in the A/C!!!!

 

[Nyghtshayd]

Thanks everyone!

My A/C is long depleted. I like to drive with window and roof open so I never repaired or recharged my system.
The only bolts I see in the engine compartment are the ones holding the A/C cannister to the firewall and the bracket inside the car attached to the...dash...? I looked all around inside and found nothing else holding the housing in. I'll look again tonight.
(God? I could sure use some pics of this please.)

 

[Nyghtshayd]

GOOD NEWS!

I just got a PDF from Driller that has an exploded illustration of what is where.
I think I will post it in the tech/faq page or have it stickied in a new thread.

Thanks friend!

 

[driller]

No problem, hope it helps!

 

[J]

I like when Driller sends me pictures of his PDF....I mean...umm. Aww heck. Haha!

 

[Nyghtshayd]

Slowly but...

I finally got the core out!
After trying the PDF instructions, I got frustrated after finding a rivot that was not on the illustration, on top of the fact that the eveporator housing was still secured to the firewall. So... I went back into the engine and force rotated the screw clamps where I could get a screw driver on it and be done with it! I also had to cut out the center of the spunge to get the new core pipes thru the other side.

Now for the sloooooooooow reassembly. ( I think I forgot where everything went...:fart)

 

[J]

OH man...atleast you got it out!

 

[Nyghtshayd]

I finally got the core out!
After trying the PDF instructions, I got frustrated after finding a rivot that was not on the illustration, on top of the fact that the evaporator housing was still secured to the firewall. So... I went back into the engine and force rotated the hose clamps where I could get a screw driver on it and be done with it! I also had to cut out the center of the spunge to get the new core pipes thru the firewall.

Now for the sloooooooooow reassembly. ( I think I forgot where everything went...:fart)

Now, Nyghtshayd is back on the road!:laugh:
And I'm off to my next project(s) The oil pan and the transmission pistons.

 

[driller]

Glad to hear you got it back together.