replacing heater core?? tips?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

TonyM · 02-22-2004, 01:48 AM

Is there any easy way of getting this housing off? Is there one bolt that is a $%%#^ to get at?? Any help would be appreciated.
RIght now with the heater on, all the windows get coated with this really nice antifreeze steam.

Tony

Longhorn Man · 02-22-2004, 02:15 AM

A/C or non A/C?

TonyM · 02-22-2004, 03:07 AM

I wish it were AC....but no, regular plane jane.

gonebad2 · 02-22-2004, 03:10 AM

Being a contortionist helps...lol Just be carful removing the fiberglass box from the firewall. They tend to be kind of fragile. I ususally will drop the inner fender. The actual core (non A/C) is held in the fiberglass box with two thick wire mounts and four short sheetmetal screws. Keep a close eye on those screws. If they get lost, longer ones have a good posibility of puncturing the new core upon installation. Also, make note of how the thick wire retainers were placed on the old core. They can easily be installed upside down. Put the short sheetmetal screws in the front holes (ones by inlet and outlet tubes) first. It makes mounting the core back into the box easier and quicker. You also might want to pick up some new 3M black rope caulking. Clean off all of the old stuff off the mounting flange on the fiberglass box and install some new caulking. Oh yeah...one more thing. If you have a wife and she is understanding, run the fiberglass box through the dishwasher after it is taken apart. It's always nice to install a clean part.

neonlarry · 02-22-2004, 03:19 AM

Check out this how to post by Jewels.

Blue Beard · 02-22-2004, 10:23 AM

The hood doesn't have to be removed.

I took the right side hinge loose and held it up out of the way.

greasemonkey · 02-22-2004, 11:43 AM

You don't need to take off hinge or hood. Just drop the inner fender a bit and have someone with skinny hands undo the bolt and you are good to go. And replace your hoses if they look like they need it, I got mine for about $1/foot at NAPA.

TonyM · 02-22-2004, 06:17 PM

Wow, thanks you guys.... I hate to admit this, but the last time that I did this I was 17 and I got so frustrated trying to get at that freakin' bolt, that I took the jigsaw and cut the heater core out, then fiberglassed it up ..... worked pretty well, but wasn't pretty at all!!!!!!! Thanks again, I'll give this a try the proper way.
TOny
p.s. since that chop job, I had a new one installed when I replaced the inner and outer fender wells..

02-22-2004, 01:48 AM	#1
TonyM Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 203	replacing heater core?? tips?? Is there any easy way of getting this housing off? Is there one bolt that is a $%%#^ to get at?? Any help would be appreciated. RIght now with the heater on, all the windows get coated with this really nice antifreeze steam. Tony __________________ 68GMC in family since new Victoria, B.C. Canada

02-22-2004, 03:07 AM	#3
TonyM Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 203	I wish it were AC....but no, regular plane jane. __________________ 68GMC in family since new Victoria, B.C. Canada

02-22-2004, 03:10 AM	#4
gonebad2 Merciless Butcher Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: CC Nevada Posts: 1,447	Being a contortionist helps...lol Just be carful removing the fiberglass box from the firewall. They tend to be kind of fragile. I ususally will drop the inner fender. The actual core (non A/C) is held in the fiberglass box with two thick wire mounts and four short sheetmetal screws. Keep a close eye on those screws. If they get lost, longer ones have a good posibility of puncturing the new core upon installation. Also, make note of how the thick wire retainers were placed on the old core. They can easily be installed upside down. Put the short sheetmetal screws in the front holes (ones by inlet and outlet tubes) first. It makes mounting the core back into the box easier and quicker. You also might want to pick up some new 3M black rope caulking. Clean off all of the old stuff off the mounting flange on the fiberglass box and install some new caulking. Oh yeah...one more thing. If you have a wife and she is understanding, run the fiberglass box through the dishwasher after it is taken apart. It's always nice to install a clean part. __________________ Your Bought And Sold....I Got Your Soul! Last edited by gonebad2; 02-22-2004 at 03:14 AM.

02-22-2004, 03:19 AM	#5
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,746	Check out this how to post by Jewels. __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

02-22-2004, 10:23 AM	#6
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,834	The hood doesn't have to be removed. I took the right side hinge loose and held it up out of the way. __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo

02-22-2004, 02:15 AM	#2
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,693	A/C or non A/C?

02-22-2004, 11:43 AM	#7
greasemonkey Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Pace, FL Posts: 2,155	You don't need to take off hinge or hood. Just drop the inner fender a bit and have someone with skinny hands undo the bolt and you are good to go. And replace your hoses if they look like they need it, I got mine for about $1/foot at NAPA. __________________ 1942 Master Deluxe 1969 C/10 1985 Blazer CUCV 1987 Jimmy 2004 Tahoe 2005 Silverado 1500 2005 Silverado 3500

02-22-2004, 06:17 PM	#8
TonyM Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: British Columbia, Canada Posts: 203	Wow, thanks you guys.... I hate to admit this, but the last time that I did this I was 17 and I got so frustrated trying to get at that freakin' bolt, that I took the jigsaw and cut the heater core out, then fiberglassed it up ..... worked pretty well, but wasn't pretty at all!!!!!!! Thanks again, I'll give this a try the proper way. TOny p.s. since that chop job, I had a new one installed when I replaced the inner and outer fender wells.. __________________ 68GMC in family since new Victoria, B.C. Canada



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