52 v8 flathead heater
 

I need some info on my heater. What route does the water take get to the heater core? Ford manuals don't seem to cover the flow direction. Also is there any way to test the water control valve which has a vacuum tube connection? Thanks for your input! Ron

Re: 52 v8 flathead heater
 

Don't know on the 8ba years, but the earlier models was head outlet to lower fitting on heater core. Top heater core outlet to lower radiator hose. Checked the manuals I have, it just shows the hoses leaving the heater core, not where they connect to the rest of the system.

Re: 52 v8 flathead heater
 

Is your control valve mounted on the firewall?

Re: 52 v8 flathead heater
 

The hot water flows out of the right head connection, ( some have a summer shut-off valve at the head) and then returns to the water pump right side at the pump hose fitting. All these fittings are usually 5/8" hose barb for 5/8" rubber heater hose. I changed the outlet fitting on the head for a 45degree fitting instead of the ugly shutoff valve as the valve is also to restrictive, I used a cable controlled water valve ($20. eBay). and installed it behind the heater. Folks say that the Ford system of having the hot water sourced from one side of the engine, makes that side run slightly cooler but we must remember that both pumps pull from a common bottom tank and return to a common top tank at the radiator so temperatures even out!

Re: 52 v8 flathead heater
 

Water flow, hope this helps.

Re: 52 v8 flathead heater
 

Thanks Merc, I find this interesting.

Re: 52 v8 flathead heater
 

Thanks guys: Forty niner, valve is located on the right inner fender. Merc Cruzer, the photos and arrows help a lot. J Seery and Derek Costello, thanks for your comments. Ron

Re: 52 v8 flathead heater
 

Thanks for the info on water hoses locations and water flow. I'm still not sure if the water control valve is working? How can I test it? Ron

Re: 52 v8 flathead heater
 

Does your valve look like this?

Re: 52 v8 flathead heater
 

Forty niner: it looks more like this:http://img_8140.jpg

Re: 52 v8 flathead heater
 

Sorry will try again tmrw!

Re: 52 v8 flathead heater
 

Forty Niner, unable to post a photo. Must learn how to. My valve is attached to the right inner fender. Round valve with vac port on top. Must be faulty since lower rubber tube to heater core is cold. Tube to valve is hot. Could be an internal problem as well? Going to bypass the valve and connect the two tubes together and see if I get heat. If I do then valve is bad.

Re: 52 v8 flathead heater
 

artron9, I can post a photo for you if you want, email it to me: [email protected]

Re: 52 v8 flathead heater
 

I bypassed the heater control valve to isolate it from the circulating system. I did this by coupling the two hoses that go to the valve. I figure this will complete the cycle. However, even though the feed hose to the heater core was warm, I don't think the water was circulating through the heater core since the exit tube was cool.
Do you think the heater core is toast? Is there any remedy besides replacement? Am I missing something here or am I on the right track? Maybe the valve function is necessary to allow the water to circulate through the core?

Re: 52 v8 flathead heater
 

The heater core is as complicated as a radiator - mainly because it is one. The valve, once open, doesn't have any further affect on the flow. Heater cores can get plugged over time. I would remove the heater and try to clean the innards. Vinegar would be worth a shot. A radiator repair shop can certainly help.

Re: 52 v8 flathead heater
 

Little slow here, but here is artron9's photo of the valve he is referring to.

Re: 52 v8 flathead heater
 

You can try running water (garden hose) through the heater core in the opposite direction it flows normally. If you see any debris the heater core should probably be taken out and have a good cleaning. All the coolant is the from the radiator so if there is debris in the heater the rest of the cooling system may need to be cleaned also....we definitely need heat up here now!!.....Mark

Re: 52 v8 flathead heater
 

Thanks for photo Forty niner! Flatford 8 and JSeery, thanks for your time and input! Been trying to read as much as I could on the heater function. Still could be a problem with the control valve in the engine compartment but there is also another valve in the plenum which controls temp. Wonder how to check that? Flatford 8, I bought the car two years ago from Goldenrod Garage Freeport, ME. Who knows how long it sat in one of his large buildings? I should have solved this during the summer!!!

Re: 52 v8 flathead heater
 

That is the same valve used in my car, mounted in the right head. Some times it is helpful to see the whole system you are working with on a single page. Make sure your radiator is full to the point of being over full. Does your heater fan work? (if not by the dash controls, you could always run a couple of jumper wires from the battery over to the heater fan motor) If so do you feel heat coming from the heater once the engine is warm. Since the valve has been bypassed, the heat controls on the dash have no function, other than turn on and off the fan. I would guess if the heater in the car is not leaking in the car, then it is possible it still may be viable.

Disconnect both hoses, to and from the heater and back flush, with the garden hose, per flatford8's suggestion, would be a bad idea. If nothing else it will confirm water flow through the heater core, and eliminate one more possible issue.

You mentioned: "My valve is attached to the right inner fender". Has the hole in the top of the head been blocked? If you have a vacuum source, you can the check if the valve still works.

Re: 52 v8 flathead heater
 

Defrost damper and fan control should be the only other control mechanisms.

Al Hook