Community Forums

oran42348 · 08-11-2015, 06:42 PM

As I was doing routine maintenance I removed the heater core inlet and outlet heater hoses located (under the hood )upper left firewall. Decided to replace aged hoses..as I removed the other end of hoses I lost track of which hose connected to the heater core inlet and outlet. I know that the hose from the radiator nipple goes to the out or return connection at the heater core and that the hose from the thermostat goes to the inlet side of the heater core. problem is that they are not marked as such at the firewall. Please help me identify which heater core connection is Inlet and Outlet. It does make a difference and may cause damage if not connected properly according to service manual..Thanks Oran

BFlinn181 · 08-12-2015, 11:13 AM

I'm not sure switching the hoses will make any difference, and certainly no damage. Water will flow either way. It might make a difference in the flow through the shut off valve at the heater core, but not positive on that. On vehicles with the connections vertical, the inlet pipe is often the bottom one, outlet the top one. I'd hook it up on best guess and idle till hot, monitoring temperatures in the heater core and engine. Shut off, cool down, and switch the hoses, see which works best.

Also hoping kicking this topic back into the queue will get someone with a like RV to go out and look at theirs for you!!

ga traveler · 08-12-2015, 12:01 PM

The pipe on the inside, next to the blower connects to the standpipe on the right rear of the engine. As you look down at the engine, the pipe goes into the V10 looks like it is misaligned. it covers half of a hole.

ga traveler · 08-12-2015, 12:08 PM

Both engine pipes are on the right side. The correct one is the one that is much higher that the other.

ga traveler · 08-12-2015, 12:13 PM

If the service manual says to NOT reverse the flow, there is a reason. I would not disregard their advice. I made a good living repairing coaches where people ignored manufacturers advice.

oran42348 · 08-12-2015, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ga traveler

The pipe on the inside, next to the blower connects to the standpipe on the right rear of the engine. As you look down at the engine, the pipe goes into the V10 looks like it is misaligned. it covers half of a hole.

this is what I need to know: however I have a 454 chevy and the connections on the engine are at the radiator which is supposed to be the for the outlet connection...and a nipple in the thermostst housing which is for the inlet connection. reversing decreases cooling the transmission during start up until the thermostat opens according to the service manual. No mention of specific other than inlet and outlet. I suppose some are higher lower some are parallel with each other like mine is in the picture

ga traveler · 08-12-2015, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oran42348

this is what I need to know: however I have a 454 chevy and the connections on the engine are at the radiator which is supposed to be the for the outlet connection...and a nipple in the thermostst housing which is for the inlet connection. reversing decreases cooling the transmission during start up until the thermostat opens according to the service manual. No mention of specific other than inlet and outlet. I suppose some are higher lower some are parallel with each other like mine is in the picture

It was posted on the Ford forum, so I assumed it was a F-53.

oran42348 · 08-12-2015, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ga traveler

The pipe on the inside, next to the blower connects to the standpipe on the right rear of the engine. As you look down at the engine, the pipe goes into the V10 looks like it is misaligned. it covers half of a hole.

Would this be the thermostat connection perhaps? if so that would be the inlet connection and would go to my hose next to the blower. thanks

BFlinn181 · 08-12-2015, 02:24 PM

I've found this thread in the Fleetwood Products forum, but perhaps it's been changed. Many manufacturers use different sized hoses to prevent this kind of confusion, or mark the inlet and outlet. Obviously neither was done here. You could call around to various Workhorse shops or connect a hose directly in a loop, bypassing the heater core completely so you can drive to a shop that can help you.

Perhaps if you can see the actual heater core it might be marked. Just like battery cables, wiring, and plumbing issues, this is a lesson to always take photos or label things that could be confused on reassembly.

oran42348 · 08-12-2015, 02:39 PM

Thanks all ...issue resolved!...the inlet is on the left and outlet on the right. I was able to determine that the radiator hose connected to the right core connection by the knife marking on outlet nipple when I split the end for removal. the other was obviously the inlet from the thermostst..THANKS AGAIN