[C2] What Would YOU Do?
12-11-2016, 02:20 PM
#21
Drifting
Just fix it!
Dave
Dave
12-11-2016, 02:35 PM
#22
Burning Brakes
Come on man you can fix your rear end so you have the ability to swap out a stupid heater core. Just do it. If you don't those NCRS wacko types will drive you bonkers with their wonderful insight. 
The following users liked this post:
65tripleblack (12-12-2016)
12-11-2016, 02:37 PM
#23
Melting Slicks
And therein lies the rub.
So it's a conundrum. Or, is it a cucumber or concubine?.........I don't remember.
My triple black car gets HOTand I've wished for A/C more than a few dozen times. Especially on the road from Joisey to Hampton Roads in 105 degree July heat a few years ago. But the other part of me doesn't want to ruin the beautiful engine bay with an ugly compressor and hoses, because, yes I too suffer with brown index finger disease.
So it's a conundrum. Or, is it a cucumber or concubine?.........I don't remember.
My triple black car gets HOTand I've wished for A/C more than a few dozen times. Especially on the road from Joisey to Hampton Roads in 105 degree July heat a few years ago. But the other part of me doesn't want to ruin the beautiful engine bay with an ugly compressor and hoses, because, yes I too suffer with brown index finger disease.
Gary
12-11-2016, 02:43 PM
#24
Melting Slicks<br><img src="/forums/images/ranks/3k-4k.gif" border="0">
Member Since: Mar 2008
Location: Colorado Springs Colorado
Posts: 3,086
Received 1,946 Likes
on
704 Posts
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Replace it. It's not all that difficult and can be done in a few hours by yourself.
12-11-2016, 03:45 PM
#25
Team Owner
Member Since: Apr 2008
Location: Coloring within the lines
Posts: 27,309
Received 1,919 Likes
on
1,332 Posts
What's this? A mid-year Corvette owner needing a rationalization? 
Mid-years, OCD, and rationalizations go hand in hand.
Seems clear to me, given all the factors above, that this is the time to fix both your heater core and lack of AC. I'm sure that can be rationalized on several facets.
Mid-years, OCD, and rationalizations go hand in hand.And therein lies the rub.
So it's a conundrum. Or, is it a cucumber or concubine?.........I don't remember.
My triple black car gets HOTand I've wished for A/C more than a few dozen times. Especially on the road from Joisey to Hampton Roads in 105 degree July heat a few years ago. But the other part of me doesn't want to ruin the beautiful engine bay with an ugly compressor and hoses, because, yes I too suffer with brown index finger disease.
So it's a conundrum. Or, is it a cucumber or concubine?.........I don't remember.
My triple black car gets HOTand I've wished for A/C more than a few dozen times. Especially on the road from Joisey to Hampton Roads in 105 degree July heat a few years ago. But the other part of me doesn't want to ruin the beautiful engine bay with an ugly compressor and hoses, because, yes I too suffer with brown index finger disease.
I appreciate your advice.
I don't think so about project creep. I completely restored this car myself and everything is either new or refurbed in 2002 or so......including re-riveting the inner box, new seals, etc. So that's not a concern.
Heater core was new at that time as well but, unfortunately, the pressure cap split it open. I'm lucky it wasn't the radiator.
I don't think so about project creep. I completely restored this car myself and everything is either new or refurbed in 2002 or so......including re-riveting the inner box, new seals, etc. So that's not a concern.
Heater core was new at that time as well but, unfortunately, the pressure cap split it open. I'm lucky it wasn't the radiator.
12-11-2016, 04:50 PM
#26
Safety Car
Thread Starter
You take a proper sized frost plug and install one at both heater hoses as they enter the heater core. Situate them maybe and 1 1/2 from the end of the hose. Install hose clamps. That will block the hoses, Then slid the hoses on the snouts off the heated core. You can clamp em again or just leave them pushed on if the fit is tight, [If you can't easily get to the hearer core put the plugs near the engine side but then you will HAVE to double clamp, You can use wood dowels as well [if you want something longer to plug the hose] I've used both with no issue ever. My 66 GTO has been blocked for 26 years...
Done, no one will know and you won't have 200 degree water inside the car.
Done, no one will know and you won't have 200 degree water inside the car.
You know.....I tried a broom handle trimmed and diameters reduced but guess what.........they leaked.
The Dorman plugs sound like a good idea.
I mean, as all you guys know, I'll put sawdust in the diff and gear oil in the crank when it's time to sell this puppy. But I need to convince a potential victim......I mean, buyer that there's nothing wrong with the heater, just a bad design is all.
Last edited by 65tripleblack; 12-11-2016 at 04:52 PM.
12-11-2016, 04:59 PM
#27
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Much as I hate to admit it, these projects are more dread than pleasure now. I have 2 others with higher priority set for this winter. One of which involves a trans/clutch drop.
12-11-2016, 05:33 PM
#28
Suggest you just fix it. Did mine myself and the job really wasn't that bad considering other repairs on my car I've done. In the long run you will be glad you did.
12-11-2016, 06:34 PM
#29
Le Mans Master
Jeez Don, you're only 3000 plus miles away. Can't you afford a plane ticket? Steaks on the barbie and lots-a-brewskis.
Much as I hate to admit it, these projects are more dread than pleasure now. I have 2 others with higher priority set for this winter. One of which involves a trans/clutch drop.
Much as I hate to admit it, these projects are more dread than pleasure now. I have 2 others with higher priority set for this winter. One of which involves a trans/clutch drop.
just the thought of crawling in that doorway, and under that dash makes my back hurt. Take the seat out, remove the glove box, give yourself some room to work. Lay a moving blanket in there so all is protected and you have some padding, and get on with it.
You will done by Miller time.
12-11-2016, 07:09 PM
#30
Safety Car
Adding Vintage Air to my car has been a great a comfort adder. Installation of VA was a PITA, no bones about that - your back and knees won't thank you for it. After all said and done it was worth the effort, IMO.
John
12-11-2016, 07:20 PM
#31
Burning Brakes
Vintage Air ?
If you think replacing the heater core is too hard you better stay away from the vintage air install . I am currently installing the vintage air direct fit system in my 66 El Camino and it is a giant PIA . That is unless you want to shell out a few thousand and have someone do it for you .
Bill
Bill
The following 2 users liked this post by 6D2148:
65tripleblack (12-12-2016),
Stan's Customs (12-12-2016)
12-11-2016, 09:24 PM
#33
Instructor
Joe, I'm going back to the office next week for a couple of days and will make a pair of plugs for you. They are easy to install and remove and you only need the normal clamps installed as original. Then you can think about it for a few more months 
John
John
12-12-2016, 12:12 AM
#34
Team Owner
Member Since: Aug 2008
Location: Rochester NY
Posts: 31,358
Received 5,008 Likes
on
2,528 Posts
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
There's an old country song that goes
"I'd rather be sorry for something I've done
than for something that I didn't do"
I'm guessing that if you block it off, it will continue to nag at you, you'll have that subtle feeling that something just isn't right.
So the choice comes down to stock, or vintage air. Throw a dart, flip a coin, use that Thanksgiving turkey wishbone, whatever - pick one or the other and go with it!
"I'd rather be sorry for something I've done
than for something that I didn't do"
I'm guessing that if you block it off, it will continue to nag at you, you'll have that subtle feeling that something just isn't right.
So the choice comes down to stock, or vintage air. Throw a dart, flip a coin, use that Thanksgiving turkey wishbone, whatever - pick one or the other and go with it!
12-12-2016, 03:27 AM
#35
Race Director
Member Since: Mar 2009
Location: Canada's capital
Posts: 19,777
Received 4,583 Likes
on
2,157 Posts
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C1 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
If the look of the hoses drive you nutz then buy some heater hose shut off valves and install them in the hoses. They're used in hot climates to keep the heat out of the passenger compartment. Then fix it when you want, if you want.
like this:
like this:
12-12-2016, 08:43 AM
#37
Team Owner
You don't just get A/C you get REAL defrosters and not those baby breath puffs of air out the vents that clear a dollar-bill sized spot on the windshield that you crane your neck to look through.....and a heater that will roast your toes...
Otherwise, as noted, O-Reilly, NAPA and other FLAPS have the cutoff valves.
Finally, most jobs that I spent weeks dreading are just 'work' once you get started and the clouds part once you're into it and things just move along and you look up at some point and you're done
12-12-2016, 09:06 AM
#38
Drifting
Someday ,perhaps, a discussion will arise on this forum about the potential purchase of your car.
Most posters will say, take a grand off the asking price, because the heater core has to be replaced.
then again you may not care at a that point.
Most posters will say, take a grand off the asking price, because the heater core has to be replaced.
then again you may not care at a that point.
12-12-2016, 10:33 AM
#40
Race Director
Member Since: Apr 2015
Location: Fresno California
Posts: 17,503
Received 3,443 Likes
on
2,113 Posts
Not only take a grand off because the heater core was bypassed, but the rest of the car would be suspect, too. In 40 years of buying old cars, every one that I bought that had a bypassed heater core had a myriad of other bubba shortcuts throughout the car. Cars that were maintained properly tended to have good integrity everywhere. Nope, a car with a by-passed heater core is a 'fixer', period. It needs repair right off the bat.