Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 

Go Back   Montana Owners Club - Keystone Montana 5th Wheel Forum > GENERAL DISCUSSIONS > Tow Vehicles & Towing
Click Here to Login

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 08-20-2007, 04:50 PM   #1
dieselguy
Montana Master
 
dieselguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haysville
Posts: 4,261
M.O.C. #3085
Colder Air from the Ford A/C

I've read several of you have been unimpressed with the cooling qualities of some of your late model trucks. My fix that will blow ice cubes at you is a simple heater core shutoff valve that was standard on many vehicles up until the last 6 - 8 years ... the big 3 had to cut cost somwhere I guess. On most newer models, the heater core is circulating hot water from the moment you start up. On hot days your A/C has to not only cool the outside temp, but also cool the air flowing through the heater core. I selected a manual valve off a 70's Mustang, but vacuum operated ones can be installed if you have a known vacuum source when the A/C is turned on. Just splice it in the heater hose coming off the water pump. I'm not going to install a control cable, but simply open it up this fall when I need the heater working. My defrost works adequately this time of year without opening the valve.
 
dieselguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2007, 05:05 PM   #2
Ozz
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: K.C.
Posts: 11,731
M.O.C. #5980
pretty slick, my friend.
Ozz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-20-2007, 05:05 PM   #3
pud2
Montana Fan
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Zachary
Posts: 324
M.O.C. #4142
Thanks Dieselguy.
pud2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2007, 04:59 AM   #4
sreigle
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Oceanside
Posts: 20,028
M.O.C. #20
Interesting update. Thanks.

I do have a concern, however. The heater core is also a radiator that dissipates heat from the water, acting as additional radiator capacity. First, is it performing this function even when the incab heater controls have not activated the heater (not blowing hot air into the cab, in other words)? If so, then wouldn't this bypass reduce the cooling capacity of the overall radiator system? If so, I'm not sure I'd want to use the bypass when towing.

If the heater core does not act as a radiator when the heater is not blowing hot air, then my question is moot.
sreigle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2007, 07:16 AM   #5
dieselguy
Montana Master
 
dieselguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haysville
Posts: 4,261
M.O.C. #3085
My powerstroke carries about 12+ gallons of coolant in the radiator and block combined ... there's probably 1.5 quarts in the heater core and heater hoses ... or about 3% of total coolant capacity. Like I mentioned earlier, up until about the late 90's (some still have it today) many vehicles came stock with the heater bypass valve installed in the heater hose to make it easier on the A/C. I just revived old technology. The big 3 are always looking to cut cost ... moving the dimmer switch off the floorboard was one (and you thought it was for safety) ... the water heater valve was another.
Oh sreigle ... unless you have the heater or A/C on there is no airflow across the heater core ... it'd be mighty a toasty ride otherwise. Now you know why when you first turn on just the vent, its rather warm at first.
dieselguy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-21-2007, 07:29 AM   #6
SlickWillie
Montana Master
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location:
Posts: 2,376
M.O.C. #6575
I would think a major player in the decision to do away with the heater water valve was the failure to operate after becoming corroded. I recall removing cable and vacuum operated valves and replacing them with manual gate valves back in the good old days.
SlickWillie is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

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
Forum Jump

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Just became a Ford guy DonandBonnie Tow Vehicles & Towing 27 10-16-2012 09:33 AM
Black Ford flashed Black Ford. cbgaloot Was that You??? 0 06-12-2010 04:53 PM
I WUV my Ford Waynem Tow Vehicles & Towing 10 07-21-2008 01:46 PM
Ford F 350 Peg Jack Tow Vehicles & Towing 7 07-15-2008 10:44 AM
new ford illapah Tow Vehicles & Towing 18 06-06-2005 05:19 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Montana RV, Keystone RV Company or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:38 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.