Heater Core replacement

[YVRHotRodLincoln]

...Well, I smell coolant and it's leaking from underneath the car, so I guess it's time to do the deed - the dreaded heater core replacement. I have the excellent article from Lincolns Online but it also says,"...remove old heater core and install new one. If you did this it is recommended to replace the A/C unit while you have the heater box out of the car." Is the author referring to the accumulator/drier unit which sits in front of the firewall or is there another unit right inside by the heater core that should be replaced? I'm not an expert on air conditioning.

Thanks a million for any and all assistance gents, and any other advice or articles that might help me. And are there any decent descriptions/instructions in the various Lincoln Mark VII shop manuals out there? I think I'm going to take the author's advice and remove the passenger seat...

[YVRHotRodLincoln]

I gotta tell you guys, I've built a lot of hot rods and rebuilt a lot of engines, but doing a heater core on a Mark 7 is just about the toughest thing I have ever done. I've got everything apart except the dash, which is ready to come out tomorrow. You need a program to keep all the parts players straight in this job...

[2manymarks]

I gotta tell you guys, I've built a lot of hot rods and rebuilt a lot of engines, but doing a heater core on a Mark 7 is just about the toughest thing I have ever done. I've got everything apart except the dash, which is ready to come out tomorrow. You need a program to keep all the parts players straight in this job...

Can we have an "Amen" here......

[YVRHotRodLincoln]

...dash is out...wow...now getting the heater box etc. out to get at the core..unbelievable...

[YVRHotRodLincoln]

..heater box out, heater core out....LOOKS GOOD!! It's an aluminum replacement part and doesn't look like it's been leaking!! What to do now?? New core is going in but I can't figure it out as I had all the classic symptoms of a bad heater core - slow steady coolant loss, coolant smell inside the pass. compartment, and foggy windshield...anybody got any ideas 'cause I'm baffled...!!

[YVRHotRodLincoln]

...all done!! Nastiest job in the entire world I can tell you. I wouldn't wish a Mark 7 heater core job on my worst enemy...be sure to mark your parts/bolts/screws etc. and save as many nuts/bolts/screws as you can in the holes they came out of...and remember your dis-assembly and re-assembly order. The two hardest parts were getting the dash back up into place and removing and replacing the seats (god are they heavy - and awkward...). When the seats were out I cleaned and vacuumed 30 years of crud, dead bugs, coins and other crap from the carpeting. Made about 3 bucks though! Lubed everything and put it all back in...fun, fun, fun...!

I also installed a tranny cooler and an aftermarket steering wheel during re-assembly. I'll post some pics...

[jcdrhunt]

New questions on this topic... 1984 Mark VII, AC suystem has been partially removed. The Accumalator is there but not hooked up, Condensor is too but also left open, Compressor is there but not hooked up. Lines seemed to have been melted to the manifold.
So.. can I replace the Accumalator, condensor, and compressor (plus new lines) and not have to replace the heater core? can it just be flushed?

[2manymarks]

New questions on this topic... 1984 Mark VII, AC suystem has been partially removed. The Accumalator is there but not hooked up, Condensor is too but also left open, Compressor is there but not hooked up. Lines seemed to have been melted to the manifold.
So.. can I replace the Accumalator, condensor, and compressor (plus new lines) and not have to replace the heater core? can it just be flushed?

I am not clear on your problem. IIRC, The heater core is only used for heat exchange between the water coolant system and the air distribution ductwork. It is not directly involved with the AC and it's operation.

[oldschool1]

New questions on this topic... 1984 Mark VII, AC suystem has been partially removed. The Accumalator is there but not hooked up, Condensor is too but also left open, Compressor is there but not hooked up. Lines seemed to have been melted to the manifold.
So.. can I replace the Accumalator, condensor, and compressor (plus new lines) and not have to replace the heater core? can it just be flushed?

Yup.
Any year Lincoln Mark VII can bypass the heater core.