So my heater core bit the dust, and I'm gonna have to replace it. Any brand recommendations to go with on this one, or will any do?

Also, if anyone has the write-up, could they post it up? -Thanks

 

when mine went out on my old truck i just had it replaced with the stock one.

 

The Vista-Pro from Rock Auto is probably as good as any.

 

Here are a couple write-ups which might help ...

https://www.f150online.com/forums/hv...-pictures.html


https://www.f150online.com/forums/ar...-pictures.html

Judging from the labor involved to replace it, I would get the best core I could find (not necessarily the cheapest).

 

Think there is a big difference in the ACDelco one and the Vista pro, on rock auto, besides the price?

 

If I were going to spend that kind of money I'd get a Motorcraft. $84.54 from Tasca.

 

Is anything else needed besides the new core and fluids?

 

You might consider new heater hoses, for a couple of reasons ... if the originals are old, it's a good time to replace them, and I think I read it's a lot easier to cut the heater hoses to remove the core than it is to disconnect them.

When you get it all apart, look carefully at the temp blend door to make sure it's not about ready to fail. You'd hate to have it fail a week after you went to all the trouble to replace the core.

 

The two hoses - feed and return hoses will cost $80 -$90. Everybody else sells them for a fraction of that. Just remember , you get what you pay for here. The OEM hoses are unique in just about every way. I wouldn't touch them unless they're leaking at the clamp connects (weak point). They,ll never leak anywhere else.

 

Haven't had the pleasure of this job yet. But it seems to me I read in one of the articles that there are after market cores with a lifetime warranty, and I think the Ford replacement is only 1 year.

If it was mine I'd go for the longer warranty. I had a (cough cough) Blazer that I had to do the radiator- Chevy=$450.00 and the Modine was like $180 with a lifetime warranty. If Modine makes one for your truck (heater core) that's the way I'd go.

Good luck.