a-ford-able

When we bought my son's 96 Taurus, the guy had the heater core bypassed because he said it was "Leaking". I went to replace it yesterday and the manual says that the entire dashboard needs to be removed I tried to go around the manual but the heater core only slides out 3 inches before making contact with the lower framework of the dashboard. Anyone know any tricks to remove this?

Also, the heater core and the surounding structure appear clean...no signs of any old anti-freeze residue. I may hook it back up today and look for leakage. I DO NOT want to pull out the entire dashboard to change a frickin heater core. The Blue Oval strikes again

 

a-ford-able

Nobody had to change a heater core? Someone out there has to have done this before. Removing the entire dashboard is a very extensive job....help!

btexpress

Yes, you have to remove the instrument panel, at least enough to pull the right side back to the seats. It is not as bad as it sounds.

__________________
Dennis W
www.blueovaltechs.com
http://blueovalcity.myminicity.com

tbird100636

It's not bad if it doesn't have the full console that mounts to the dash. The full console has to be removed first. The non-full console, which is the flip-fold console you just have to fold it back into the seat position.

__________________
ASE Certified Technician- still a Ford fan at heart.
1964 Thunderbird Hardtop- Chantily Beige- 390-Uncle's Car
1966 Thunderbird Convertible- Red- 390- Uncle's other car- needs a hood!!!
2001 Taurus SEL- Spruce Green- 3.0L Duratec- my first car purchase- traded it for a 2006 Dodge Charger R/T (it only made sense, I work at a Dodge Dealer{Now a Chrysler Dealer, the Dodge Dealer closed!!!})

a-ford-able

Thanks for the response. Is there a way to only pull the right side back, or do you have to remove the gauge cluster, drop the steering column, and pull back the entire dash? That's what the manual shows.....I'm just trying to get a shortcut. I only need 3 or 4 inches more to wiggle out the heater core.
Thanks

Aussiblue

No shortcuts just grit your teeth, roll up your sleaves and get on with it.

__________________
Regards Blue

btexpress

I don't pull the cluster or the column. You can disconnect the electrical from the column, remove the large connectors under the left side that go to the dash, disconnect the steering column shaft from the coupler, and after removing the dash bolts and right hand electrical pull the dash back and set it on the seat.

__________________
Dennis W
www.blueovaltechs.com
http://blueovalcity.myminicity.com

fast68

it sucks but thats how it is



the later trucks are the same way im about to do one in a 98 pickup and it has to have the column dropped and the entire dash and frame pulled to even get to the boxes


did a plymouth breeze 99 last winter and it was entire dash board both front seats, entire console assembly, shifter assembly anbdparking brake assembly and carpeting all had to go


had the entire car torn apart to do that one as well


its how it goes

the cars are built around the core


take your time

i do them without bagging parts or taking pics

but some ppl need to

it depends..


the 96 bonneville one was pretty easy compared to most the carpeting glovebox and a couple other things was all in that one,
the easiest one so far for the most part other than the hose connections are way deep buried next to the strut behind the engine down where you cant reach them though

so that sucks


good luck

__________________
Randy
Lincoln, IL
'54 F-100 mostly restored, 302 and C-6;
'57 F-100 all original solid complete needs restored;
'77 F150 4x4 rebuilt 351C, C-6, NP205 brand new 33" mudders, new interior and newer paint; nice 15x10 alum rims, 3.55 axles, for sale, many pics, $7,500;
'69 Fairlane for parts only, rusted;
'97 F150 4x4 pickup 4.9L auto blue leaks trans fluid, drives like a log wagon