Go Back   tbirdforum.com > Thunderbird Model Years > Bullet Birds [1961-1963]

Bullet Birds [1961-1963] These Bullet Birds are definitely a collector's car, so why don't you show yours off in this forum or just ask members about them?

Heater Core Lesson Learned

This is a discussion on Heater Core Lesson Learned within the Bullet Birds [1961-1963] forums, part of the Thunderbird Model Years category; Hi everyone. I just wanted to pass along a frustrating lesson I just learned. For those of you who haven't ...

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
  #1 (permalink)   IP: 166.137.8.113
Old 07-17-2015, 10:56 AM
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Age: 53
Posts: 26
Rep Power: 0
waltreiss is on a distinguished road
Garage
Heater Core Lesson Learned

Hi everyone. I just wanted to pass along a frustrating lesson I just learned. For those of you who haven't accomplished this task, the heater core for a '63 (and probably earlier models) has one welded tube for the input and a slot where the return mechanism, with the control valve, mounts to it. Although I can appreciate the forward-thinking of the temperature sensitive control valve on the original design, I replaced the heater core with what they sell as a "fix" to the system where the manual control valve is installed in the engine compartment. The return for the heater core is just a 90-degree pipe that is held to the core with 3 small nuts and a seal between them. I wasn't happy with the seal at the time and used some silicone gasket maker to improve the situation. Since I had rebuilt the engine and replaced the radiator, water pump, and hoses, I chose to fill the system with Evan's waterless coolant. At about $50 per gallon, it's not cheap, but won't corrode the system. After the first engine run, I noticed a considerable leak of the coolant into the passenger foot well. Taking a chance, I ordered another new heater core, this time for a '64 with AC, which I knew had two welded pipes. After receiving it yesterday, I'm happy to report they are identical in size and mounting holes. The lesson learned is that if you replace the core on a Bullet Bird, be sure to get the new control valve and cable, but use the core from a '64 to avoid a potential (or probable) leak and the subsequent time to do the job twice. I hope this info is helpful for some of you out there!
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Heater Core.jpg (182.2 KB, 27 views)

Last edited by waltreiss; 07-17-2015 at 11:23 AM.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:58 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Friendly URLs by vBSEO 3.3.0
Garage vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.