Well, I have finally worked up the motivation to replace/rebuild the heater core on my 65FB.
I have the entire heater core rebuild kit with seals and hoses.
I plan on using this tutorial I ran across on MM:

http://www.mustangmonthly.com/howto/5769/

One question, what is the easiest way to drain the coolant without making a huge mess???

Thanks again....

 

Shop Vac? I don't know. When I replaced mine I had a cardboard box laid out on the floor and tried to not spill any.

 

I would think you could remove your heater hoses and lose just a little coolant. You shouldn't have to drain the radiator. Just have a drain pan or large bottle on standby.

 

ok, i guess if I am careful I can minimize the mess....

one more question, how do I test the new heater core for leaks before I put it in?

Thanks again!

 

Garden hose in one outlet and plug the other outlet with a rag and some duct tape. Run hose and check for leaks at the cooling fins.

 

I have a 'Y' hose connector (left over from a washing machine) that I use to feed both the inlet and outlet. It works fine. Keep in mind that most city home waterpressures are between 60 and 100 psi.
Jim

 

Ok,
Well, I have run into a few snags...

1) How do I get the cable off the heater box with the steel cap on top of it?

and

2) I made a huge mess, and left coolant all over the engine compartmentand garage floor.
When I removed the hoses on the engine side it just started pouring coolant out all over the engine, alternator, etc...and down to the floor.
I was able to get some of the coolant off the intake manifold and parts of the engine compartment with paper towels, but not all of it....

The new question is, does coolant have any kind of corrosive characteristics, or will it just evaporate? Should i try to rinse it off?

I rinsed off the garage, but didnt want to hose off the engine compartment....

Thanks again...

 

The caps are not easy but try a pair of vice grips. You may do a 'wedge' prying technique or brute force. If they get destroyed, don't worry about it. If you want new ones, AMK products has them.
Wash the antifreeze off with water. The ciry might complain, so be discrete. There is an absorbant available at auto stores that works on liquids. It also get rid of the slippery aspect of antifreeze. In the engine compartment, wash with car wash soap.
Next time, drain the antifreeze and reuse it. Don't feel bad, it's part of the 'experience'.
Jim

 

Well, I did it! Removed, cleaned,new seals, replaced the core, and rebuilt!
It was a serious pain in tha a$$ being that it was my first time, but I finished.

I have one more question.
One of the hoses leading from the manifold to the heater core isa little short and lays partially on top of the valve cover.
Will this be ok, or should I buy some insulation to wrap the hose in?



Thanks!

 

Sweet I was just thinking about my heater core today and how were gonna get it fixed/re-done.