How to Change a Heater Core on a 1977 Ford Truck

Iskandar Blogger 3:40 AM

If the heater core is blocked on your 1977 Ford truck, you will not be able to heat the inside of the truck. Blockage occurs when the cooling system is not properly maintained and sludge builds up inside the system. The best way to repair a clogged heater core is to change it. You can do the repair yourself and save a lot of money on labor costs. You should be able to complete the project in about two hours.

Instructions

    1

    Park the truck on level ground and set the parking brake. Allow the engine to cool completely before you start the project. Disconnect the temperature and function control cables from the heater housing. Disconnect the wiring harness from the blower resistor by unplugging it. Remove the five screws attaching the inlet duct to the heater housing.

    2

    Unplug the wires from the blower motor. Open the valve on the bottom of the radiator using a wrench. Drain the engine coolant into the drain pan. Close the radiator drain valve and place the drain pan out of reach of your pets. The engine coolant should be taken to a recycling center for disposal.

    3

    Disconnect the hoses from the heater core at the firewall by loosening the hose clamps with a screwdriver. Remove the three heater retaining nuts using a wrench and remove the heater from the vehicle. Remove the gasket between the hoses and the dash panel at the core tubes.

    4

    Remove the four screws from the heater core cover and pull the heater core from the heater. Insert the new heater core and replace the cover, tightening the four screws with the screwdriver. Install the new gasket between the hoses and the dash panel. Connect the hoses to the heater core tubes and tighten the hose clamps with the screwdriver.

    5

    Plug the electrical wires into the blower motor. Connect the inlet duct to the heater housing and install the five screws with a screwdriver. Plug the wiring into the blower resistor. Connect the temperature and function control cables to the heater housing. Refill the radiator with fresh engine coolant and start the truck. Check the system for leaking.