easy to replace heater core? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

GreenMystChevy · 10-31-2003, 04:35 PM

A friend of mine, as he put it, blew out his cooling system. What that means exactly I'm not sure.

What I come to you guys with, is how hard it would be to replace the heater core in an '84 Jimmy 4x4? I work on the '72 and older but I'm sure '84 is just as easy, right?

Anyone have a step by step or some basic tips and things to look out for?

Thanks guys.

r0lf- · 10-31-2003, 05:00 PM

basically, just gut all the inside heater ducts. Take the hoses off the core that goto the engine in the bay. Remove faulty core and replace. It gets trickier if you have AC or a silverado package etc.

You should invest in a good user manual for 73-87 trucks. They are a lifesaver for TQ settings.

KShortell · 10-31-2003, 05:19 PM

See here for a step-by-step with photos: http://www.coloradok5.com/heatercore.shtml

Good luck!

*Zilverado* · 10-31-2003, 05:37 PM

I've done this on two Silverados - a '77 without air and an '86 with air. Both were relatively easy to do, and I've never had to loosen off the inner fender as the article refers to.

A couple of pointers:

- remove the glove box to give better access to the heater box from the interior.
- remember to pressure test the new heater core - even if it's just with a garden hose. The last one I did, I stuck a garden hose against one end and even before I covered the other end with my hand, the water came spraying out of one of the fittings. The solder joint was bad. Simple test saved me from having a big mess inside the cab and doing the whole job twice.

Just my $.02.

Take your time and have fun

.

GreenMystChevy · 10-31-2003, 06:00 PM

That link is just what I was looking for. Thanks man.

And thanks Zilverado and r0lf for your help too. I can do this no problem, just wish I had smaller fingers to get into someof those tight spaces. It would be much easier if I had a midget though, hmmm.

10-31-2003, 04:35 PM	#1
GreenMystChevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 513	easy to replace heater core? A friend of mine, as he put it, blew out his cooling system. What that means exactly I'm not sure. What I come to you guys with, is how hard it would be to replace the heater core in an '84 Jimmy 4x4? I work on the '72 and older but I'm sure '84 is just as easy, right? Anyone have a step by step or some basic tips and things to look out for? Thanks guys. __________________ Jeremy '71 C-10 '72 GMC K2500 '72 Nova (Dad's) '70 Chevelle SS '55 Sedan Delivery Attempting to build up this here 4x4...make her real tall and purty...well, maybe just tall

10-31-2003, 05:00 PM	#2
r0lf- Hotwheels? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Pleasant Hill, CA Posts: 1,145	basically, just gut all the inside heater ducts. Take the hoses off the core that goto the engine in the bay. Remove faulty core and replace. It gets trickier if you have AC or a silverado package etc. You should invest in a good user manual for 73-87 trucks. They are a lifesaver for TQ settings. __________________ 1978 Money Pit - CUSTOM DELUXE!!!!

10-31-2003, 05:19 PM	#3
KShortell Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 734	See here for a step-by-step with photos: http://www.coloradok5.com/heatercore.shtml Good luck! __________________ Semper Paratus

10-31-2003, 06:00 PM	#5
GreenMystChevy Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Woodinville, WA Posts: 513	That link is just what I was looking for. Thanks man. And thanks Zilverado and r0lf for your help too. I can do this no problem, just wish I had smaller fingers to get into someof those tight spaces. It would be much easier if I had a midget though, hmmm. __________________ Jeremy '71 C-10 '72 GMC K2500 '72 Nova (Dad's) '70 Chevelle SS '55 Sedan Delivery Attempting to build up this here 4x4...make her real tall and purty...well, maybe just tall Last edited by GreenMystChevy; 10-31-2003 at 06:04 PM.

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10-31-2003, 05:37 PM	#4
Zilverado Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 798	I've done this on two Silverados - a '77 without air and an '86 with air. Both were relatively easy to do, and I've never had to loosen off the inner fender as the article refers to. A couple of pointers: - remove the glove box to give better access to the heater box from the interior. - remember to pressure test the new heater core - even if it's just with a garden hose. The last one I did, I stuck a garden hose against one end and even before I covered the other end with my hand, the water came spraying out of one of the fittings. The solder joint was bad. Simple test saved me from having a big mess inside the cab and doing the whole job twice. Just my $.02. Take your time and have fun .



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