Hello all.
Well I got myself a 87 T-Bird with a 5.0L. The body is in perfect condition with the interior being pretty good as well. I got the car for $950.00. So far I'm impressed with the ride. The engine is a torque monster and it seems to run good for now. I bought it to use for a winter car not planning to modify it any. But , I found this site and now I don't know what may come of it. Anyway I have a few questions. My windows are fogging up like crazy. I'm thinking heater core even though I don't smell antifreeze. How hard is it to replace the heater core? Is this a typical problem these cars have had? The other thought I had was maybe a vent controll is not working right so I'm not getting fresh air in.
Also my driver side window takes forever to go down. What would cause that? Any help would be great.
Thanks
Heater Core is a c to replace. 4 hours minimum is what ive heard. Mine needs replaced just dont have a weekend to do it. Pull the dash back is how to get to it.
Hey, welcome aboard! Please post pictures of your car if you can. We like pictures.
The heater core isn't bad to change. Took me about 3 hours and it is a typical problem.
you can find instructions here
http://www.coolcats.net/tech/troubleshooting/heatercore.html (http://"http://www.coolcats.net/tech/troubleshooting/heatercore.html")
Do you have smoke coming out of your vents? Usually that's another sign that the heater core is failing.
About your window moving slow. Mine always moves slow in the cold. I don't know why and never really looked into it. As the weather warms up, it goes back to normal.
Oh, and as this is your winter car, be careful in snow. They don't handle well at all. You'll make it up the hill but you'll be sideways doing it.
Man, if it's in good shape, don't make it just a winter beater. I know how hard winters can be on cars (they were the death of my old mustang basically...thing about rusted to pieces).
Heater core sucks, that's why I just bypassed it on my bird.
Oh and about the window? Does yours go up at a normal speed? My driver's side one seems to go down slowly, but it goes up at a normal speed. I just figured it had something to do with the age of the car.
Welcome..
Welcome to the board
Heatercore isnt nearly as bad as it seems, once you get over the intimidation, its an easy task, its just involved.
I dont know whats wrong with you guys, but winter in my TC was no problems last year, and i was learning how to drive that car while i was in the snow.
as far as the fog goes, check your carpets and see if they are damp. you could be leaking water in from somewhere. its hard too tell unless you pull the carpet out and actually give the insulation under there a feel. they hold alot of water. it can cause the windows too fog up. mine was eaking down the firewall from behind the fender on the drivers side....
as far as the windows...well, the motors are old. mine are slow as well and i suspect when they were new they werent all that fast. there seems too be alot of drag in the system. maybe wax the side tracks as well as the windows and lube the sliders inside the door might help. sometimes the rubber sers on the inside or outside drag or sometimes flip in causing extra drag. i just installed some better doors on my car and those windows work the same as my other ones so i think its safe too say they are all about the same....when i get a chance to get back out to the car ill mes with it too see if i can get them too work better...
winter driving....a set of good snows and you should be alright. ive never realy had a problem with any tbird in the snow....stuck once or twice but otherwise alright. be carefull though, they do like too swap ends...
welcome too the forum! enjoy the car as well...
cool beans.
put off the heater core until it warms up. I did mine last winter. It took me 11 hours, counting going inside to warm myself up with a hair dryer.
Use the a/c thingy instead, or just bypass it.
Without the cold/warm up time, I could have done it in 3-4 hours first time. If you have a heated garage, go for it.
Well...if he needs heat this winter...bypassing it won't bring heat into the cabin, now will it? And if he needs air conditioning next summer, using the evaporator core will contaminate the a/c system completely.
The heater core change for our cars is spec'd for 8 hours at the Ford garage. In reality it gets done in under 2 hours. The time and photos put into my article are designed in such a way that a home heater core change of 2-3 hours is very possible and, in fact, the norm. It's not that difficult of a job. And it's the
right way to do it. Not everyone is comfortable taking a shortcut that could compromise functionality later on.
the article he is refering to is on http://www.coolcats.net
http://www.coolcats.net/tech/troubleshooting/heatercore.html
and yes, pics are always good :)
edit: duh.. it was posted earlier.. /me is smurt.. me reed gud.
Thanks all for the input. I don't have any moisture building up any place that I know of inside the car. I felt around but all the floors seem dry.
I did find the "how to replace the heater core" deal so that will be very helpful. As far as the window goes it's only the driver side that goes down real slow but then goes up quicker. The passenger side is works fine. To be honest, I like rear wheel drive in the snow better than FWD. I learned to drive in the snow with a RWD and I always hated loosing steering once in a slide with a FWD. Boy I look forward to replacing that heater core.:yuck:
Me too! All you can do is sit tight and wait for a miracle. Oh and welcome. :)
print it off. I had to run in the house to find out which nut i forgot.
dude, forgive me, but the image i had in my head when you said that was just too hillarious not to share, So I made quick little illustration, since i'm bored at work:
(http://www.baxo.ca/misc/haystack.jpg)
ooh I am so pissed now. You done picked a fight you cant win. ;)
Oh by the way, Flying Dutchman, I never said hi and welcome to the board.
*edit* Haha, I didnt notice that was a haystack too.
Just wait till I figure out what a baxo looks like
(http://photos1.blogger.com/img/102/5880/640/Box2.jpg)
:laughing:
Welcome to the board. As you can see we all get along pretty well here. I found this place cruising TCCoA which is also a good site, but it is definitely more geared towards MN12 (89-97) thunderbirds, cougars, and marks.
Welcome to the board. I see you are getting sucked into FOX Fever too. As for your heater core SUCK. In the Window department you could pop the door panel off. Then loosen just a little, that big center bar and move it just a little then work the window. Most of the time I've found that they get a little out of alignment. work it until the window works like it should. Also while you are in there you could add some greese ti the track.
Welcome to the board
brand new board member here too! after two heater core jobs on my TC all I can say is don't skimp on the core (get a Ford one) or you will be doing it again in a year or two!
I may be paranoid but before you go loose on the core please check the drain hose out of the heater housing.
On the engine compartment side of the firewall down where you just can't see it.
Mine was plugged with old leaves and stuff, keeping the air flow plenty wet.
Mine was specd at 7.4 hours to be exact. All I know is that I can freeze all winter instead of paying 403 for it to be replaced. I'll do it myself in spring so I know for the future.
I can vouch for that. Better to pay $60.00 for a good one and do it once than $20.00 and do it again next year. Although I must say I did twice as fast the second time.
if his ac wasn't working could that cause moisture on the windshield? I am not sure but I was thinking that the ac kicked on to dry the heated air.
Well I went and replaced that core. Boy was that fun.:D I guess I have done more complicated things on cars but getting to that one bottom bolt under the heater box next to the tranny tunnel sucked. I finally just pulled the passenger seat out to get a good view of that sucker. Anyway, all is well now and that how to article was a big help. Thanks again for all your imput.
ah the fruits of your labors. Now you dont have to roll the window down with it being 14* outside.
glad you got it fixed!!! enjoy your sweet ride! hehe