mystery fire wall coolant connection - air conditioned 68 Newport

[Mike McGuire]

Hello,

Subject car is an H-code 68 Newport with AC.

It has 4 heater core sized ~1 inch hose connections on the passenger side. (2 long hoses to the water pump housing, and 1 shorty between the 2 pairs. on the fire wall.)

Over on the driver's side there is a smaller half inch or so hose connection, currently unpopulated. This car hasn't been run in a long time, and while test running it yesterday we noticed coolant coming from this tube.

Can someone tell me where this is supposed to be connected and what is it used for?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[patrick66]

That is a drain for condensation, that has a formed hose that slips over that, and points downward. It connects to nothing forward of the cowl. My Coronet has the same hole, with the same function.

If you have coolant coming out there, you likely have a heater core leaking.

 

[Mike McGuire]

That is a drain for condensation, that has a formed hose that slips over that, and points downward. It connects to nothing forward of the cowl. My Coronet has the same hole, with the same function.

If you have coolant coming out there, you likely have a heater core leaking.

OK, that makes sense. We saw coolant on the floor, under the motor in the back (starboard side), and suspected heater core. Inside there was no moisture to be found under the glove box area, on the carpet, where I would normally find it. Perhaps daylight will help pin point the source. Going with heater core.
Do you know if the dual heater core was an option on some cars?

Thanks !!!

 

[patrick66]

I know on Imperial it was; but on NY/Newport, I'm not certain.

That formed hose WAS available through Year One. Couldn't find it just now.

 

[Polara_500]

Should be a dual heater core with AC.

 

[rapidtrans]

And keep that nipple clear of the exhaust manifold.
We had a brand new Fifth Ave heater box fill with water, eventually running all over the carpet. The dealer diagnosed it without even looking at car. Apparently the factory installed a “too long” elbow fitting on a run of cars and the manifold heat melted the fitting closed!

 

[live4theking]

Should be a dual heater core with AC.

I have had a number of these boxes apart. Since the car had ac it should have a dual heater core. New ones are available on Ebay.

 

[Mike McGuire]

Should be a dual heater core with AC.

Thanks for that. I wonder why. Was it to draw more heat from the motor??

 

[Mike McGuire]

And keep that nipple clear of the exhaust manifold.
We had a brand new Fifth Ave heater box fill with water, eventually running all over the carpet. The dealer diagnosed it without even looking at car. Apparently the factory installed a “too long” elbow fitting on a run of cars and the manifold heat melted the fitting closed!

Thanks Will do.

 

[Mike McGuire]

I have had a number of these boxes apart. Since the car had ac it should have a dual heater core. New ones are available on Ebay.

Thanks!

 

[Polara_500]

Thanks for that. I wonder why. Was it to draw more heat from the motor??

I believe it was for finer heat/cooling control. There's a valve between the two heat cores that shuts when you turn on the A/C, so only half the core has any chance at heating and the variable control valve I think is supposed to control how much it gets so you don't necessarily have only cool air on A/C depending on the temp selector slider. This only shows a little over half of the core, but does show the valve which is controlled by a linkage to the dash air duct valve.

 

[Davea Lux]

I believe it was for finer heat/cooling control. There's a valve between the two heat cores that shuts when you turn on the A/C, so only half the core has any chance at heating and the variable control valve I think is supposed to control how much it gets so you don't necessarily have only cool air on A/C depending on the temp selector slider. This only shows a little over half of the core, but does show the valve which is controlled by a linkage to the dash air duct valve.
View attachment 451828

Before you spring for a new core, check those two short hoses for leaks, a lot of them are rotten after 50+ years. Probably a good idea to have the core pressure tested if the hoses are bad as the cores are a PIA to replace. Your local radiator shop can tell you if the core is worth putting back in.

Dave

 

[patrick66]

That drain hose I mentioned is available here:

Heating & Cooling, Blower & A/C Motor Tubes and Grommets :Mega Parts USA

(top one on the chart)

 

[rapidtrans]

The third one down is the one I’ve seen for condensate drain. Should have that pinched end to keep bugs out.

 

[marty koirtyohann]

That is a drain for condensation, that has a formed hose that slips over that, and points downward. It connects to nothing forward of the cowl. My Coronet has the same hole, with the same function.

If you have coolant coming out there, you likely have a heater core leaking.

thats right . all of the older ac cars ha to have a drain hole for the condensation to drain out of . a old mechanics trick . if i have fogging windows with the heater on the leak is in the top of the core i if it get the floor wet or comes out the weep hole the leak is in the bottom of the core . in most cases u can't get the rebuilt they dont make them anymore i got mine from a ebay shop in cal i got a new evaporator from the same shop