85 Heater Core=Cut Box To Replace?

5spd85GT · 01-14-2004, 09:41 AM

Oh, I have plenty of manuals, including a Ford service manual, that's why I want to cut the stupid thing out. I went ahead and started work on the cutting last night. Only glitch I've run into so far is that the box front is double walled (hmm, what are the odds something like this would happen while working on a Ford?). At first I thought I had cleanly cut through, then I realized I had a whole other wall to cut through (and yes, I realize it is probably an insulating property). Would have finished that too, but the battery pooped on the Dremel. Hell, I had more trouble getting the larger of the two heater hoses off under the hood than I have had inside the car so far.
As far as butchering, I do not consider anything butchered if a repair is completed and the function is restored without molesting something cosmetic that matters (the heater core box "cosmetics" do not matter unless you are standing on your head in the passenger side floorboard, and if it is working properly, who cares?). If Ford had designed this component with half a brain (you know they didn't, be honest) they would have included an access door on the front of the core box for A/C equipped cars (Gee, how simple would that have been?). Off topic, but another example: changing the plugs on a stock '85 5.0 with all the smog crap routed as it was (I say was, 'cause on mine, it ain't no mo'). I peeled many a layer of skin off getting those rear plugs changed back in the day, and now, well, it's almost pleasant.
Okay, enough ranting. I appreciate everyone's view points on this topic. Where would the fun be if we all took the same approach and thought just alike, right?
I will post again, hopefully tomorrow as the job progresses or if I discover anything else helpful in the procedure.

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01-14-2004, 09:41 AM	#5
5spd85GT Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Deep East Texas Posts: 12	Oh, I have plenty of manuals, including a Ford service manual, that's why I want to cut the stupid thing out. I went ahead and started work on the cutting last night. Only glitch I've run into so far is that the box front is double walled (hmm, what are the odds something like this would happen while working on a Ford?). At first I thought I had cleanly cut through, then I realized I had a whole other wall to cut through (and yes, I realize it is probably an insulating property). Would have finished that too, but the battery pooped on the Dremel. Hell, I had more trouble getting the larger of the two heater hoses off under the hood than I have had inside the car so far. As far as butchering, I do not consider anything butchered if a repair is completed and the function is restored without molesting something cosmetic that matters (the heater core box "cosmetics" do not matter unless you are standing on your head in the passenger side floorboard, and if it is working properly, who cares?). If Ford had designed this component with half a brain (you know they didn't, be honest) they would have included an access door on the front of the core box for A/C equipped cars (Gee, how simple would that have been?). Off topic, but another example: changing the plugs on a stock '85 5.0 with all the smog crap routed as it was (I say was, 'cause on mine, it ain't no mo'). I peeled many a layer of skin off getting those rear plugs changed back in the day, and now, well, it's almost pleasant. Okay, enough ranting. I appreciate everyone's view points on this topic. Where would the fun be if we all took the same approach and thought just alike, right? I will post again, hopefully tomorrow as the job progresses or if I discover anything else helpful in the procedure.