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Topic: Heater Core (Read 1403 times) previous topic - next topic

Heater Core

I read thru the cool cats site but need to change the core on my kids 83 Bird. Anyone have any tips/tricks/or things to watch for? Also does the dash need to come out?

Heater Core

Reply #1 –
This will help
http://www.coolcats.net/tech/troubleshooting/heatercore.html
Old Grey Cat to this.88 Cat, 5.0 HO, CW mounts, mass air, CI custom cam, afr165's, Tmoss worked cobra intake, BBK shorty's,off road h pipe, magnaflow ex. T-5,spec stage 2 clutch, 8.8 373 TC trac loc, che ajustables with bullits on the rear. 11" brakes up front. +

Heater Core

Reply #2 –
Yea, I read that but it says 85-88 and this car is a 83.

Heater Core

Reply #3 –
If its like my mustang was u got to take the center console and glove box out and its behind the dash on the passangers side on the firewall I think.
 

Heater Core

Reply #4 –
I'm not sure if the dash needs removed or not...nobody has really ever gotten back to me and told me the exact procedure for a 1983-84 dash, although I was told that the guide helped a lot.

Sorry I can't be more specific!

Heater Core

Reply #5 –
Eric
I have the whole set of Ford shop manuals for the car, of course they say to remove the dash but,I will let you know what I find after I do it this weekend.

Heater Core

Reply #6 –
OK, cool. I have removed a dash from an '84 before, at the boneyard...it's been many, many years but I do recall that it wasn't so bad. I think there are a few more screws than the '85-'88 dash. The only thing you have to be really careful about is cracking the dash itself. It's thin plastic and can easily be punctured or broken. It's pretty flimsy once it's out of the car, actually. Once it's bolted in, it seems strong enough though. On that fact alone I would recommend maybe not bending it back like you would for the newer dash.

Good luck!

Heater Core

Reply #7 –
I changed the core in my '84.  It's almost the same procedure as the 85+... just different screw locations.

Heater Core

Reply #8 –
Hey Eric, changed the core and it is very similar to the procedure for the later cars. It is a few more screws and yes it is flimsy plastic. I did remove the center console so I could just move the dash forward to the seats and I suppose you could get away with not, I didnt want to crack any plastic. I left the plastic portion partially attatched to the metal frame and was able to keep it together with nothing breaking. It took about 5-6 hours but would imagine it could be done quicker if you worked non stop. I took the dash out Friday night and put it all back together Sat afternoon.