lildrip049

My question is a simple one...the heater core in my 1964 corvette is leaking---do i have to remove the heater in the car to get to the heater core, or can I get it out and replace it from the engine compartment firewall.....a simple question that the books that i have give me no guidance.
thx
Russ
lildrip049@aol.com

JohnZ

You need to remove the heater case from inside the car in order to remove/replace the heater core.

lildrip049

Thx for the info on the heater core

lildrip049

Johnz
Your had responded a couple of years ago concerning replacing the heater core in my 64 vet. Due to personal issues I was not able to get to this project until now. I have removed the glove box, the reservoir of the radiator, and the battery from the vet. I see the 4 nuts that i need to remove from the engine compartment and the 2 cables that I need to disconnect from the casing and the lower and defroster ducts. My confusion is that there may be a nut above the gas petal that attaches the heater casing to the firewall which i do not see and I do not see how to disconnect the blower motor wires and the resistor wire from their respective connections. Can you again assist me in my challenges..thx russ

JohnZ

Unless someone before you has removed the nut and stud, it's just about on the centerline of the firewall, and a bracket riveted to the heater case at the extreme inboard end goes over the stud, and a nut secures it - that nut should be driven FIRST when you put the case back in the car. In the photo below of a '64 heater case, the bracket that goes over the stud is at the extreme left end of the picture.

lildrip049

[QUOTE=JohnZ;1586142277]Unless someone before you has removed the nut and stud, it's just about on the centerline of the firewall, and a bracket riveted to the heater case at the extreme inboard end goes over the stud, and a nut secures it - that nut should be driven FIRST when you put the case back in the car. In the photo below of a '64 heater case, the bracket that goes over the stud is at the extreme left end of the picture. [/QUOTE

Thx Johnz..this is the picture that you had sent me....1 last question, did you remove the blower motor under the right fender to take out the inside housing to get to the heater core...russ

JohnZ

No. There's no reason to remove the blower motor - just remove the center nut forward of the radio on the inside of the firewall and the four on the heater case studs on the engine compartment side, and remove the case. The heater core is in the inside case, and you access it by removing the case from the car and working it on the bench. This is a good time to order a heater case seal kit from Dr. Rebuild, as you'll probably find that the foam seals on the diverter doors have all crumbled to dust.

lildrip049

JohnZ....thx for all your guidance....I really appreciate your insght--owe ya a few beers,
Russ

lildrip049

JohnZ..thx for all your guidance. I really appreciate all of the insight that you have provided to me--owe ya a few beers,

Russ

MikeM

I would dump in a small bottle of Barr's Stop Leak and drive on. Lot's less trouble.

Rokndad

Russ, before you install a new heater core, have it pressure tested to insure no pinhole leaks. This was one of my most unsavory projects (67 with A/C) and is not something you want to do twice. A bottle of stop leak into the system when you refill is also a good idea.

Tom

Alexjo

Russ, just a heads up - I am in the middle of replacing the heater core on my 67. I did have to remove the blower as there were two nuts attaching the heater box assembly to the firewall. Sounds like it is different on a 64 or a previous owner decided to add a few extra nuts to mine, but if the box doesn't slide out easily, consider taking off the blower.

Alex

lildrip049

Thx for your insight Alex...Russ

lildrip049

Thx for your insight Alex..Russ

lildrip049

Mike M.. Thx for your insight..half way thru this project

lildrip049

Thx MikeM..already half way thru this project Russ

Frankie the Fink

This is a great time to install Vintage Air A/C if you ever thought about it at all !

rgbau140

I replaced mine around 15 years ago. at that time replacements were coming out of Mexico and I was told the quality was lacking. just replaced it again and my radiator guy said the quality is worse now than it was 15 years ago. I had him put an American made core between the two end pieces- was a pain to replace the 1st time and I'm not as flexible now as I was then. I called all the parts vendor I could think of and nobody sold a heater core sourced in America. pressure testing 1st is a good idea, getting a core made in America is better. Good luck

jdk971

just a wag, but maybe dewitts will build you one. jim

lildrip049

You made good points...just pull out the old one...you are right.. i hell of a pain...getting the new one tested and seeing if the old one can be repaired...thx russ