Restoring Rusty

[Gregski]

you are almost done, to get the actual heater core out of the assembly, two tiny internal screws (smaller than 1/4" hold it to the plastic assembly on the inside, not the two 1/4" screws on the outside)

[Gregski]

and she's out


Note to self: my motivation to take out this assembly and clean it out nicely is at an all time low... squirrel!!!

[Gregski]

Anatomy of the Heater Core

so there's a rubber gasket thingy and a metal bracket that holds it in place with those two tiny screws

[Gregski]

time to test the old heater core

so I filled it with water and plugged the ports with those handy rubber plugs then I dried it real good with a paper towel and held it up to see where it leaks from

I am not sure exactly where the leak is, but it's not from the rubber stoppers so time to get a new one, I may braise this one some day as I like the good solid quality of it

[Gregski]

ordered a new heater core from Auto Zone it was $30 bucks but they have to transfer it from the hub store so that's it for today folks, thank you for reading, feels good to be back in the saddle again

[Whamo]

This thread has shamed me to start documenting my "fixing up" better...great thread and great build...Thank you!

just curious if you ever tried to do anything with the dash pad...maybe I missed it...

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by Whamo

This thread has shamed me to start documenting my "fixing up" better...great thread and great build...Thank you!

Glad to hear it!

Originally Posted by Whamo

just curious if you ever tried to do anything with the dash pad...maybe I missed it...

Sure did, The Greg left no stone unturned, I realize this is a long monsterous thread (apologies) so I found a section on the dash pad in thread number 2219 check it out please, I think it jumps around from there, also updated the Table of Contents (that a kind reader started for me and gave me the idea to do, thank you so much)

[Whamo]

This thread has shamed me to start documenting my "fixing up" better...great thread and great build...Thank you!

just curious if you ever tried to do anything with the dash pad...maybe I missed it...

[Whamo]

Oh man!...I totally dig the dash and I started tearing mine apart last night! Got an idea for the holes (I'll post pics) using barn wood...

Sorry you had so much trouble with the JBW. It can be tricky if you ain't used to it...here in the hood we use it more than duct tape...

[daddyjeep]

Ahhhh, that brings back memories. My first experience with a heater core was in my 78 K10 back around 1990... good times.

[truckin 79]

I have learned a lot reading your post thread thanks a lot. You will find the new heater cores are aluminum and are smaller than the original. At least the heater core I got from Advance auto was like that. I luckily had some extra foam lying around that I stuffed on the sides of the heater core. Also make sure they give you the right heater core as the first time they gave me a H core for a AC truck. I hope you didnt ruin the bolts that bolt on from engine bay, those are a bear to find.

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by truckin 79

I have learned a lot reading your post thread thanks a lot.

Glad to hear, you're welcome, and thanks for the feedback, its always appreciated and keeps me motivated.

Originally Posted by truckin 79

You will find the new heater cores are aluminum and are smaller than the original. At least the heater core I got from Advance auto was like that.

Hmmm, I got mine from AutoZone and this one fit like a glove. Hopefully posting the part number like I did will save somebody some grief.

[Gregski]

man I had a hard time getting motivated to get this new core in (the desire ranked right up there with a voluntary appendectamy), LOL, but I finally got tired of using my shirt sleeve to wipe off the sweaty windshield every morning

so here it is the new core

part number: 94553, 399079

[Gregski]

and as always we compare the old (quality unit) with the new (flimzy junk)

[Gregski]

the sound detening heater padding was sagging down making it difficult to get the heater core studs in the proper holes, so I yanked it all out, it came off in chunks the size of 3x5 cards, not my proudest achievement but it exposed any rust sections lurking underneath there, someday we will insulate this again (umm, or not)

[Gregski]

and the heater hoses went back on, cluttering up my beautiful engine compartment again, sometimes Form wins, sometimes Function!

So far no leaks, the truck ran in the driveway for about 20 minutes whilst I vacuumed it out (yes including the bed, ha ha) since I hauled some fire wood, yup say it with me now; "truck doing truck things!"

Then I took it for a test drive to Target and the grocery store, still no leaks, and wait for it... we now have heat! oh what a spoiled gangster I am now.

[Ratman74]

Originally Posted by Gregski

and the heater hoses went back on, cluttering up my beautiful engine compartment again, sometimes Form wins, sometimes Function!

So far no leaks, the truck ran in the driveway for about 20 minutes whilst I vacuumed it out (yes including the bed, ha ha) since I hauled some fire wood, yup say it with me now; "truck doing truck things!"

Then I took it for a test drive to Target and the grocery store, still no leaks, and wait for it... we now have heat! oh what a spoiled gangster I am now.

Good stuff Greg, I changed my heater core a couple years ago and was amazed at how fast I can heat up the cab (which is handy here in WV right now).

[Gregski]

next we'll tackle something we started over 2 years ago back in thread 1039 Anatomy of a Kick Panel

[LT7A]

It's good to see some more work done on Rusty. Another 'installment', if you will.

BTW, this is my post number 454. I had to make note of that since it's a number I have coveted since high school.

[Gregski]

Originally Posted by LT7A

It's good to see some more work done on Rusty. Another 'installment', if you will.

yep, fourth house is as many years, so it's been a tough road, so tired of setting up yet another garage, but this one will be permanent when done

Originally Posted by LT7A

BTW, this is my post number 454. I had to make note of that since it's a number I have coveted since high school.

ha ha, I totally get it, I have a MOPAR friend that sends me texts at 3:18 and 3:40 LOL and I PING him back at 3:27 and 3:50 etc. but 454 is a good one

[Gregski]

Game On!


... yep, she's out of the house!

[Gregski]

Wow, this is so riveting!

[Gregski]

nine cheap Harbor Freight rivets later (one stud didn't make the photo shoot) and one side is done

[Gregski]

well we were doing great, until one rivet got stuck in the rivet gun, and so we decided to blow that apart, and now how in the world do you put all these tiny bits back together, LOL

that's it, it's time to watch some Monday Night Football!

[Gregski]

alright after getting re-motivated, and seven failed attempts at putting that silly rivet gun back together the wrong way, I think I finally put it back the right way, and we were back in business

so here is the driver side kick panel rebuild and ready to go