Heater core replacements... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Pl4yboy · 03-15-2009, 08:23 PM

After much research and tinkering, I decided it was time to tackle the heater core that was leaking in my 69 with factory A/C. Every topic I read said that the inner fender must be dropped to make things easier. This is not the case. Here is how I did things.

1) Removed glovebox door and cardboard.
2) Unhooked vents and such from inside.
3) Removed hoses to heater core.
4) Removed the 4 retainer nuts and 1 bolt holding the A/C and fan on the firewall
5) Removed heater core box.
6) New heater core goes in.
7) Bolt it back up, in reverse.

Now... Unfortunately, the heater core I got from Vatozone was a dud. It was leaking from both the input and output. I started the truck to check for leaks, and had a monsterous puddle in the cab foor and shop floor within 10 minutes. Every topic that I saw said this is a 45 minute to 1.5 hour job. I did it in 45 minutes the first time, an I just pulled the whole thing apart in 10 minutes the second time. I haven't put it back together yet because I haven't gotten a new core yet. Just giving everyone a little backup info here incase they are having issues.

PanelDeland · 03-16-2009, 10:19 AM

I think the inner fender drop is only on the heat only trucks,IIRC the A/c trucks are different.

Longhorn Man · 03-16-2009, 04:02 PM

yep. A/C trucks have all the heater parts inside except the blower... non a/c trucks have the core on the outside.

Pl4yboy · 03-16-2009, 05:10 PM

Thanks for chiming in guys. I had read multiple threads saying that the fender had to be dropped regardless. I was hoping that some of the people in here wouldn't go through the same trouble I did for nothing.

texanidiot25 · 03-16-2009, 07:37 PM

How much did your core cost?

Gray Ghost · 03-16-2009, 08:39 PM

Never buy parts from VatoZone....I get mine from either O'Reilly's or Napa...much more reliable.

Pl4yboy · 03-17-2009, 01:17 PM

The core cost 24$. I nomally don't buy from Autozone but I needed it ASAP and they were the only parts store in town that had one in stock. I've been trying to sell my truck for a year now and someone is finally seriously interested. I have to get the little things right before he gets here this weekend.

Heater core down.

Window regulator and hood hinges to go.

03-15-2009, 08:23 PM	#1
Pl4yboy Freeeeee Mason... Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: McAlester, Oklahoma Posts: 320	Heater core replacements... After much research and tinkering, I decided it was time to tackle the heater core that was leaking in my 69 with factory A/C. Every topic I read said that the inner fender must be dropped to make things easier. This is not the case. Here is how I did things. 1) Removed glovebox door and cardboard. 2) Unhooked vents and such from inside. 3) Removed hoses to heater core. 4) Removed the 4 retainer nuts and 1 bolt holding the A/C and fan on the firewall 5) Removed heater core box. 6) New heater core goes in. 7) Bolt it back up, in reverse. Now... Unfortunately, the heater core I got from Vatozone was a dud. It was leaking from both the input and output. I started the truck to check for leaks, and had a monsterous puddle in the cab foor and shop floor within 10 minutes. Every topic that I saw said this is a 45 minute to 1.5 hour job. I did it in 45 minutes the first time, an I just pulled the whole thing apart in 10 minutes the second time. I haven't put it back together yet because I haven't gotten a new core yet. Just giving everyone a little backup info here incase they are having issues. __________________ Daily Driver -2007 Chevy -Dark Blue Metallic -Regular Cab -4.8 V8 -4x4 Ongoing, Never Ending, PITA, Love of my Life -69 Chevy C/10, Camper Special -350/TH400 -Loudest System on the Board

03-16-2009, 10:19 AM	#2
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: Heater core replacements... I think the inner fender drop is only on the heat only trucks,IIRC the A/c trucks are different. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

03-16-2009, 04:02 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Heater core replacements... yep. A/C trucks have all the heater parts inside except the blower... non a/c trucks have the core on the outside.

03-16-2009, 05:10 PM	#4
Pl4yboy Freeeeee Mason... Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: McAlester, Oklahoma Posts: 320	Re: Heater core replacements... Thanks for chiming in guys. I had read multiple threads saying that the fender had to be dropped regardless. I was hoping that some of the people in here wouldn't go through the same trouble I did for nothing. __________________ Daily Driver -2007 Chevy -Dark Blue Metallic -Regular Cab -4.8 V8 -4x4 Ongoing, Never Ending, PITA, Love of my Life -69 Chevy C/10, Camper Special -350/TH400 -Loudest System on the Board

03-16-2009, 07:37 PM	#5
texanidiot25 Eat My Rust Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cypress, Texas Posts: 3,362	Re: Heater core replacements... How much did your core cost?

03-16-2009, 08:39 PM	#6
Gray Ghost Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Terrell, TX Posts: 1,967	Re: Heater core replacements... Never buy parts from VatoZone....I get mine from either O'Reilly's or Napa...much more reliable. __________________ Kelly '05 GMC Sierra SLE Z71 Bone stock except for new bed rail caps. Last edited by Gray Ghost; 03-16-2009 at 08:39 PM.

03-17-2009, 01:17 PM	#7
Pl4yboy Freeeeee Mason... Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: McAlester, Oklahoma Posts: 320	Re: Heater core replacements... The core cost 24$. I nomally don't buy from Autozone but I needed it ASAP and they were the only parts store in town that had one in stock. I've been trying to sell my truck for a year now and someone is finally seriously interested. I have to get the little things right before he gets here this weekend. Heater core down. Window regulator and hood hinges to go. __________________ Daily Driver -2007 Chevy -Dark Blue Metallic -Regular Cab -4.8 V8 -4x4 Ongoing, Never Ending, PITA, Love of my Life -69 Chevy C/10, Camper Special -350/TH400 -Loudest System on the Board

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