North American Turbocoupe Organization

Full Version: Factory or Factory Air?
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Well I guess I am going to break down and replace my heater core. While I am in there I thought I would replace the evaporator core. I can get a Ford replacement or a aftermarket one. Most of the parts houses around here carry a brand called Factory Air.Has anyone had experience with this brand? Are the aftermarket units as good as the Ford ones? This is a job I only want to do once. Don't want to put the thing in there and it starts leaking a year later. The Ford replacement cost more,but I want something that will last. The current core is still good, but sure as I don't replace it , it will leak next summer. The evaporator on my 88 went bad, and it has 209000 miles on it. My TC has 167000, so it might not be long for this world.
B D

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87 TC 5-Speed
88 Thunderbird Sport 5.0
91 Ranger
Probably just as good. Try to get one that's coated or treated. This prevents the dirty sock smell that a warm evap gives of.

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85 TC 5 speed, K&N filter charger, Ranger Roller cam, 3" exhaust system, manual boost valve, large VAM, SVO PE computer, front mount intercooler, underdrive pulley, ported upper and lower intakes,flow matched injectors, ported E6 manifold, 245/45/17 wheels & Tires
Unless the Ford price is really exorbitant, I'd stick with it. The original lasted 200k miles so there's no reason why a Ford replacement shouldn't as well, but it's hard to determine that with aftermarket stuff.
I don't know any thing about Factory Air brand. I do know that my Ford ones have lasted since 1988. Guess what I'll go with when I have to replace them. Cheap at several times the price of an inferior one.

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88 TC X 2, 86 SVO, Main TC with K&N, 3"DP to 2.5"duals through Dynamax, Ric valve at 17+ and disconnected KS.
Elite Bodega 16" chrome wheels. Autometer pod w/ A/F and Vac/boost gauges.140 mph Motorsports Speedo New engine: Total Seal rings and TRW pistons, ported and polished head w/ cc'd chambers,1.59"exhausts, SS valves, gutted upper, knife edged lower, A-230 cam, Race Engineering Adj Cam Sprocket, Crowlers, ARP head studs, and rod bolts. Walbro 255 HP pump and Kirban adj FPR, T-3. Centerforce II, KB subs and jack rails.
i usee a facotry brand liquid line for my a/c system. thats what all the local shops in my town use and i have heard any complaints.
i bought my heater core form Glassboro Auto parts, there a local parts store in my town, and the rest are either ABC, Pep Boys, Auto Zone, and Tags Auto. I stuck woith Glassboro, becuase they are a family run and rela experts work there, and i actuallly took that same heater core out of the car i wrecked and put in my dialy driver i have now and havnt had a problems.
DO NOT GET THE FACTORY AIR BRAND!

I was a Hi/LO Auto store manager for 5 years (now O'Reilly), and can say unequivically that they are servicable at best.

Factory Air paid the training costs for my company when I took the ASE Air Conditioning certification test, and they provided tours and materials for the company, so I am familiar with their line and production facilities. The quality is not horrible, but is definately not good, either. If you want to do the job once, go Ford. If you want refine your dash removal skills into an art, go Factory Air (or Hayden, or Stant, or...)

It was not unusual to see a shop install 2 or 3 within a week, trying to get one to hold without leaks...

Just my $0.02 [Image: smile.gif]

BY THE WAY - WHEN YOU PURCHASE AN EPOXY-COATED EVAPORATOR, WHAT YOU ARE PURCHASING IS A REBUILT UNIT! That is the reason that they are 1/3 the cost of a new unit. Think - you are purchasing an evaporator with a hole in it, but with a layer of epoxy to plug the leak. Just thought you should know.

[This message has been edited by BIG VAM (edited 10-10-2001).]
Well, after BIG VAMs post I am glad I bought the Ford part. If it does not rain this weekend I am going to install the evaporator and the heater core. After many busted knuckles and much cussing I,ll will let you guys know how it goes.
B D

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87 TC 5-Speed
88 Thunderbird Sport 5.0
91 Ranger