Heater Core

[4EYED85GT]

My 85GT needs the heater core replaced. From what I have read on the internet through a google search this is a pretty tough job. I figured I would ask the subject matter experts here on this site. How tough and time consuming is this? What is the going labor rate to have this done? Any suggestions or comments are greatly appreciated!

[DeckerEnt]

You need to take the dash out. Then the heater box. If you go slow and remember where everything goes, it is not a tough job, just time consuming. Plan on all day. I had a friend do mine when i put my dash back in.

[mwaller5672]

When somebody before me did mine they cut a home in the heater box. Really hillbilly. I haven't decided if I am going to patch it or put in a new box. Leaning on a new box so it's done right. Sometimes I hate engineers. Why would anyone make something they know will have to be replaced so hard to get to.

[347sc]

Ac or non ac? big difference in labor

[4EYED85GT]

The car has A/C but the lines are gone. I plan on just getting rid of the compressor and just deleting the A/C. This is the way the car was when I bought it. Havent had time to do anything to it yet but need to get the heat working again. Dont plan on driving it much in the winter but its better to have heat and not need it then to not have it and need it one day. Thanks for the replies and hope to get more!

[Foxxx5oh]

When somebody before me did mine they cut a home in the heater box. Really hillbilly. I haven't decided if I am going to patch it or put in a new box. Leaning on a new box so it's done right. Sometimes I hate engineers. Why would anyone make something they know will have to be replaced so hard to get to.


you wouldnt happen to have my old 89 GT would you? cause if you do, i know we resealed the heater box after we cut it out :D lol


that and if you do i want to come see the car again its been too long

[4EYED85GT]

Anyone interested in giving me a labor price on installing a heater core in my 85 Mustang w/ AC. Ive got a couple of quotes.... wow! Looking for someone that has done one with no problems. If anyone wants to give me a quote please pm me.

[347sc]

Last one I priced was $150 plus part

[ClevelandMstang]

It's not that bad, do it yourself, just take out pretty much every screw holding dash, drop column, sit in passenger seat, pull dash enough to access heater box and pull that back, replace core put it together, I have done them in 2-3 hrs and many times, hardest parts for newbie is finding all screws...everyone starts somewhere!!

[Rick93coupe]

If you have the money, let Bo do it. I've helped pull a few dashes to do them, but never by myself. It's not that it's that hard, but if you haven't had a dash out before it can be pretty intimidating, there's lots and lots of screws. Mostly 5/16 drive stuff.

[mwaller5672]

I just took a real good look at mine and they destroyed the duct work. It doesn't make a bit of since. I need to find the duct and go ahead and replace it.Do I hace to remove the steering column.

[347sc]

I just took a real good look at mine and they destroyed the duct work. It doesn't make a bit of since. I need to find the duct and go ahead and replace it.Do I hace to remove the steering column.


You can drop it down but just as easy to remove it if you have to. Which duct you need?

[mwaller5672]

It's the one is behind the glove compartment. The cut big pieces out of it to relace the heater core

[4EYED85GT]

I went ahead last weekend and tackled the job myself! I found a post on another website (foureyedpride.com) where a guy explained the step by step process in detail with pictures for each step and even had all the screws circled that needed removed. It was time consuming ( 3hrs to get it all apart and about 2 more to get it back together). I was more intimidated than anything but after doing it I can honestly say it was fairly simple and I wouldnt hesitate to do another one. I went ahead and flushed my entire cooling system as it looked like brown muddy water and also removed the thermostat. I still need to install new thermostat and hook up heater hoses this weekend. I read on that same thread that its good to get new coolant in before running anything through the new core. Also plan on installing a restrictor in the line as its supposed to lengthen the life of the heater core as it doesnt allow to much pressure to burst into the heater core during hard acceleration. Once again, the job wasnt tough at all, just time consuming!

[Pitbull1052]

awesome good job, that's about the way I feel about anything never know till you try.....

[4EYED85GT]

Finished up the heater core project today! Installed new thermostat, heater hoses, restrictor, and filled with fresh coolant. Started it up and let it run for a while, NO LEAKS! Turned on the heater, BLOWS HOT! I guess I can say it was a successful installation that wasnt really as bad as its made out to be!

[mwaller5672]

I'm glad about that. I will be doing it in the next couple of weeks. I'm debating on if I need to change my heater core. Someone who changed it before destroyed the ductwork. I think for 60 bucks I might. I'm not sure who did it before or where the core came from. Heck it could have been a used one.

[CNTLOSE]

Glad to hear you got it done by yourself...always a better feeling that way!

[99Slobra]

1. Hope you used the Ford replacement part.
2. Look into using a restrictor like SSP mustangs use.