Pinto Car Club of America

I didn't have this problem on my 79' A/C car, but the 71' I'm doing does have the heater box that would get in the way of the turbo exhaust housing etc. I have read a lot about it and realize that I could move it or get rid of it, but I was wondering if anyone has kept it? I can't find a specific thread that talks about some one keeping their heater box in the stock location. I'm  thinking if I just got a header that placed the turbo more towards the front I should be able to get away with it right? Can anyone who's kept theirs chime in?

Yes, I have successfully used the original heater box with the stock turbo location in my '73.

You can read about it and see pictures.

http://www.fordpinto.com/smf/index.php/topic,9993.0.html

Note too that I'm sure there are other fan motors one can use. I just happened to have this particular fan motor, itself a replacement adaptation for my Sunbeam Tiger.  That said, this is one of the shorter fans I have seem.

Tom

Thanks for the response Tom, I actually had already read your thread and it was helpful. It made me not want to have to replace that heater box!!  ;D  It sounds like a nasty job. I'm really trying to see if there is a header that is made for the 2.3T that puts the turbo far enough forward that would allow me to keep the heater box where it is, and not have to replace it or move it at all.
Is this hopeless?

I'm just not that "up" on other manifolds. Remember you have O2 sensor attachment issues and intercooler alignment issues (assuming stock intercooler) if you change the exhaust.

While not the funnest thing to do, the heater comes out without too much difficulty.  You undo the two heater hoses, unplug the wires, disconnect a few cables, remove the four nuts on the firewall and one near the passenger vent under the dash.  Once it's out a file will slot the holes in a few minutes and it just bolts right in.  Return in reverse order.

This is probably a well known tip, but removing the glove box allows access to the clamps on the heater core.  That is "if" the slots are in the right place.  Anyway, I would recommend that when you replace the hoses you do so by removing the glove box.  That way if you put it in with this method you can get it out by the same process.  If you ever have a hose go bad in the dead of winter it is a whole lot easier to pull the glove box than the whole heater to replace the hose.
Tom