Changing a heater core - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**70STOVEBOLT** · 10-13-2009, 09:17 AM

Anybody know how long it typically takes to change a heater core on a 70 without a/c? I can not find a leak internally or externally, but my windows fogged up on me this morning on the way to work, and I can detect the faint smell of coolant. Any info would be very much appreciated.

Mark

jojo · 10-13-2009, 09:27 AM

I removed mine in less than 30 minutes.

Putting it back on wouldn't have taken more than 30 minutes either, but I haven't got a new one yet.

dan42 · 10-13-2009, 09:47 AM

For most people it would take longer than 30 minutes - it is easier to do if you remove the hood and drop the inner fender. There is a write up on it in the FAQ section. For me, with my son helping me, if you have everything you need right there, figure two to three hours. (I'm not a mechanic).

**70STOVEBOLT** · 10-13-2009, 10:48 AM

Thanks guys.

Longhorn Man · 10-13-2009, 04:53 PM

if it is a true indiana truck, you'll have more than 30 min just getting 3 fenderwell bolts out.

jojo · 10-13-2009, 09:46 PM

Not sure why mine came out so easy.

Now I'm not even sure it was the heater core.

The heater core is right under the hood on the firewall on the passenger side right?

It's weird, I started cooking one of those 45 minute frozen lasagnas the other day and went out and removed the heater core. The lasagna had around 14 minutes left when I got back in. I even capped off the hose connections on the radiator and the intake.

GMC406 · 10-13-2009, 10:36 PM

When I did mine I just removed the pasenger front wheel and inner fender. A few inner fender bolts and a 1/4 inch ratchet with extensions to reach the bolts still in tight spots and thats it. Real easy I would say I spent 1 to 1and a half total.

pmpski_1 · 10-13-2009, 11:30 PM

Took me 6 months. I took it out in Febuary and the new one went in around August.

**70STOVEBOLT** · 10-14-2009, 12:39 PM

Andy, you are absolutely right. It took me about 2 hours to change it, and I only broke 2 j-clips on the inner fender, lol. I probably could have gotten it done faster, but I tried to do it without taking the inner fender out, and basically wasted about a half hour trying to get the last bolt out on the bottom.
Oh, well, it's done and NO LEAKS!!

10-13-2009, 09:17 AM	#1
70STOVEBOLT Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Winona Lake, IN Posts: 6,424	Changing a heater core Anybody know how long it typically takes to change a heater core on a 70 without a/c? I can not find a leak internally or externally, but my windows fogged up on me this morning on the way to work, and I can detect the faint smell of coolant. Any info would be very much appreciated. Mark __________________ 70 C/10 SWB 402/TH400/3.73 "The Needy Beast" 200,000 Mile Club Disc Brake Club Owner installed options: Front Sway Bar Power Steering Power Brakes Cigar Lighter Courtesy Lights Deluxe Side Markers Wiper Delay Sliding Rear Window Power Windows Power Locks Sniper EFI 2015 Silverado 1500 LS 4.3/6L80/3.23 lowered 2" front & rear

10-13-2009, 09:27 AM	#2
jojo printing is my trade Join Date: May 2009 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 349	Re: Changing a heater core I removed mine in less than 30 minutes. Putting it back on wouldn't have taken more than 30 minutes either, but I haven't got a new one yet. __________________ Jojo's '70 stepside build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=344184

10-13-2009, 09:47 AM	#3
dan42 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cali Central Coast Posts: 5,191	Re: Changing a heater core For most people it would take longer than 30 minutes - it is easier to do if you remove the hood and drop the inner fender. There is a write up on it in the FAQ section. For me, with my son helping me, if you have everything you need right there, figure two to three hours. (I'm not a mechanic). __________________ '67 SWB Fleetside ZZ4/350/Tremec 5-speed/4link/Scott's IFS - and fun as heck! SOLD Click here to support the board Philippians 4: 6-7 Last edited by dan42; 10-13-2009 at 09:48 AM.

10-13-2009, 10:48 AM	#4
70STOVEBOLT Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Winona Lake, IN Posts: 6,424	Re: Changing a heater core Thanks guys. __________________ 70 C/10 SWB 402/TH400/3.73 "The Needy Beast" 200,000 Mile Club Disc Brake Club Owner installed options: Front Sway Bar Power Steering Power Brakes Cigar Lighter Courtesy Lights Deluxe Side Markers Wiper Delay Sliding Rear Window Power Windows Power Locks Sniper EFI 2015 Silverado 1500 LS 4.3/6L80/3.23 lowered 2" front & rear

10-13-2009, 04:53 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Changing a heater core if it is a true indiana truck, you'll have more than 30 min just getting 3 fenderwell bolts out.

10-13-2009, 09:46 PM	#6
jojo printing is my trade Join Date: May 2009 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 349	Re: Changing a heater core Not sure why mine came out so easy. Now I'm not even sure it was the heater core. The heater core is right under the hood on the firewall on the passenger side right? It's weird, I started cooking one of those 45 minute frozen lasagnas the other day and went out and removed the heater core. The lasagna had around 14 minutes left when I got back in. I even capped off the hose connections on the radiator and the intake. __________________ Jojo's '70 stepside build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=344184

10-13-2009, 10:36 PM	#7
GMC406 Professional Grade Join Date: May 2009 Location: Hill City KS Posts: 366	Re: Changing a heater core When I did mine I just removed the pasenger front wheel and inner fender. A few inner fender bolts and a 1/4 inch ratchet with extensions to reach the bolts still in tight spots and thats it. Real easy I would say I spent 1 to 1and a half total. __________________ 61 GMC 9' Step Someday it will be a build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3356828 67 C-30 Red Dale motorhome http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...31#post3845531 71 GMC Street performer in the works Waiting for warm weather http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=341946 1990 GMC Sierra GT-sold 1983 chevy 4x4-project on hold maybe sell 1969 Triuph GT 6- sold 1996 Ford I-6 5 Speed 4x4 2004 Dodge Intrepid- milage maker 1959 Ford Fairlaine, factory a/c 292Yblock- sold 1982 Honda XL500R Always lookin for other old trucks!

10-13-2009, 11:30 PM	#8
pmpski_1 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 505	Re: Changing a heater core Took me 6 months. I took it out in Febuary and the new one went in around August. __________________ Curry in a Hurry: SB rebuild for my 71 C20

10-14-2009, 12:39 PM	#9
70STOVEBOLT Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Winona Lake, IN Posts: 6,424	Re: Changing a heater core Andy, you are absolutely right. It took me about 2 hours to change it, and I only broke 2 j-clips on the inner fender, lol. I probably could have gotten it done faster, but I tried to do it without taking the inner fender out, and basically wasted about a half hour trying to get the last bolt out on the bottom. Oh, well, it's done and NO LEAKS!! __________________ 70 C/10 SWB 402/TH400/3.73 "The Needy Beast" 200,000 Mile Club Disc Brake Club Owner installed options: Front Sway Bar Power Steering Power Brakes Cigar Lighter Courtesy Lights Deluxe Side Markers Wiper Delay Sliding Rear Window Power Windows Power Locks Sniper EFI 2015 Silverado 1500 LS 4.3/6L80/3.23 lowered 2" front & rear



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