Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Engine Tech => Topic started by: jcassity on December 11, 2012, 08:34:37 AM

Title: heater core restrictor opinon needed
Post by: jcassity on December 11, 2012, 08:34:37 AM
tossing out an idea here, not sure which way to go with this.
I have a brand new heater core installed but the previous owner must have had an issue with the supply / return hoses sometime in the past.

there is no restrictor in the drivers side supply (larger hose).

to duplicate the concept, does anyone see an issue with hooking the core up backwards so the supply is going to the small tube?  wouldnt this duplicate the flow restriction?  i dont want to blow the new core not having it installed.


part 2 question
there is a two wire temp sensor on a T shaped tube that apparently must go in line with one of the heater core paths.  it has something to do with climate control im sure, can check my shop manuals but thought i would ask here if anyone has a picture of this sensor installed.  I want to orientate it correctly like factory install.
Title: heater core restrictor opinon needed
Post by: mcb82gt on December 11, 2012, 09:39:09 AM
If it were me, I would just stick the proper size socket to fit snuggly in the supply line and put a hose clamp around it and be done.
Title: heater core restrictor opinon needed
Post by: thewestie on December 11, 2012, 02:28:05 PM
I used a socket.
Title: heater core restrictor opinon needed
Post by: TheFoeYouKnow on December 11, 2012, 05:33:57 PM
I can't speak on the restriction, but the sensor tells the eatc when the engine is warm enough for it to start heat (unless on defrost).  I was looking for another one of those tee's to install my fan switch, but I ran out of patience and modded my coolant supply manifold instead.
Title: heater core restrictor opinon needed
Post by: TurboCoupe50 on December 11, 2012, 08:13:37 PM
This is how the sensor is positioned on my parts TC...

(http://amradio.freeiz.com/turbocoupe50/eatcadpt.jpg)

Basically when set to auto it doesn't allow full blower till the coolant is warm enough to make heat but in the 6-8 TC I've owned that had EATC none worked as intended, all brought the blower up long before there was enough temp in the engine to give heat... I always kept them set to manual, and is why I waited for a manual heater TC to use for the 5.0 swap...

The '95 LX Bird I owned did work acceptably as well as my '98 Grand Marquis and Marauder...
Title: heater core restrictor opinon needed
Post by: jcassity on December 11, 2012, 11:27:17 PM
yeah, i just saw an installed version "drawing" in the supplemental chassis electrical shop manual.  it looks almost like an impossible install.
I ended up putting a socket in the supply line. all works well.
Title: heater core restrictor opinon needed
Post by: jcassity on December 11, 2012, 11:29:11 PM
yes foe,,
that sensor prevents the EATC from allowing the blower motor to deiliver air movement unless the water temp reaches 100degF or more.
Title: heater core restrictor opinon needed
Post by: thunderjet302 on December 12, 2012, 12:31:19 AM
I've got a picture of the sensor installed on the line for reference. It works on both my T-bird and the Mark VII. When I first got the Thunderbird the fan would turn on with the heat setting even when the car wasn't warm enough. I fixed that by removing the plug on the sensor and cleaning it. Works fine after that. I don't use the heat much in the Thunderbird though as it gets put away for the cold/snowy (btw where's the snow?) months. I fixed it so when I have the car out on a early spring/early autumn night the heater isn't blowing cold air at me.
Title: heater core restrictor opinon needed
Post by: jcassity on December 12, 2012, 12:59:36 AM
yep, thats the pic, however, i honestly dont see the "real" real estate to mount it.
ill place it up against the hose tomorrow with a pic, that T section tubing is very long.  its such a short run up to the heater core.

the nomenclature i have in my shop manual is not the same though,, will post tomorrow.
Title: heater core restrictor opinon needed
Post by: Haystack on December 14, 2012, 12:55:40 PM
Mine leaked on the old bird, so I just unplugged it and used a regular hose. I also used a 1/4" socket for the restrrictoe with no problems.
Title: heater core restrictor opinon needed
Post by: mcb82gt on December 15, 2012, 09:59:56 AM
I just did my heater core.  I didnt find a restrictor in the rear rubber line that goes directly to the core.  Where did Ford put it from the factory??

I thought about putting it in the front rubber line, before the metal tube.  Would that be OK, and not affect anything else??
Title: heater core restrictor opinon needed
Post by: TOM Renzo on December 15, 2012, 06:55:54 PM
Ok here goes. Ford installed the restrict-or in the line to silence the water flow through the core. They did this to silence the sloshing noise the water made when the engine was running and water flowing through the core made this noise. The direction of water flow makes no difference in making heat. As far as the ATC sensor in the heater hose i remove them. It is bypassed in defroster mode and i feel it is a useless thing. I personally can live with having the blower motor work when the car is cold. But whatever floats your boat. By the way removing it puts less stress on the heater core NIPPLES. And i also use silicone heater hose to save the nipples from engine torque over  with a hard set of heater hoses. I also never replace the restrict-or as it does nothing to add or subtract the cores function. The restrict-or is said to also restrict flow to the core and force more coolant to the radiator. This is said by GM. I dont believe this but chevy says it is so.  Just me could be wrong!
Title: heater core restrictor opinon needed
Post by: TOM Renzo on December 15, 2012, 07:02:07 PM
Quote from: mcb82gt;404597
I just did my heater core.  I didnt find a restrictor in the rear rubber line that goes directly to the core.  Where did Ford put it from the factory??

I thought about putting it in the front rubber line, before the metal tube.  Would that be OK, and not affect anything else??

The restrict-or normally goes on the inlet side of the core. Some believe it is use to reduce the pressure across the core when at WOT. But ford does no confirm that as i was told. The restrict-or if memory serves me is 1/4 "
Title: heater core restrictor opinon needed
Post by: jcassity on December 15, 2012, 08:53:02 PM
I was understood it as a pressure thing as well to reduce it for the amount of volume being pushed through the zigzag U-turns and ends of the heater core could increase its chances of blowing

The big nipple is the input a little nipple is the output

My thoughts were to just hook up the heater core backwards therefore you would reduce the size of the input increase the size of the output

I ended up just Shoven a socket up inside the hose
Title: heater core restrictor opinon needed
Post by: mcb82gt on December 16, 2012, 08:59:48 AM
Thank you guys.  Ill tackle it today.