How to...Early C3 heater core replacement?
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 413
Likes: 22
From: Justin TX
The quick answer:
Remove the passenger dash panel, there are 2 or 3 screws from the center bezel, 2 from the door post, and 3 at the top into the dash pad.
Drain antifreeze and remove heater hoses from heater core at fire wall.
Next there are a few screws from inside the attach the inside box to firewall and one from outside on the fire wall. Remove all the screws and separate the inside box fromt the outside box. Also take note how the duct system goes together, it slip fit and should stay pretty much intact.
Carefully remove the inside box from the car, it will still have antifreeze and you will need to work it out so put plastic and old towels down on the carpet.
Once you have it out open it up to expose the heater core. Remove the old heater core and replace.
Reverse directions to reinstall.
Thake your time, it is a pretty east job but kind of time consuming. Good luck!
I just pulled my factory AC and replaced the whole thing with a Vintage Air system.
Remove the passenger dash panel, there are 2 or 3 screws from the center bezel, 2 from the door post, and 3 at the top into the dash pad.
Drain antifreeze and remove heater hoses from heater core at fire wall.
Next there are a few screws from inside the attach the inside box to firewall and one from outside on the fire wall. Remove all the screws and separate the inside box fromt the outside box. Also take note how the duct system goes together, it slip fit and should stay pretty much intact.
Carefully remove the inside box from the car, it will still have antifreeze and you will need to work it out so put plastic and old towels down on the carpet.
Once you have it out open it up to expose the heater core. Remove the old heater core and replace.
Reverse directions to reinstall.
Thake your time, it is a pretty east job but kind of time consuming. Good luck!
I just pulled my factory AC and replaced the whole thing with a Vintage Air system.
Last edited by TX-Techman; Mar 15, 2009 at 10:41 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 6,640
Likes: 287
From: Ann Arbor Michigan
This link has a few good pics that may help you.
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/juli...tCore_orig.htm
http://www.corvetteforum.net/c3/juli...tCore_orig.htm
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
The quick answer:
Remove the passenger dash panel, there are 2 or 3 screws from the center bezel, 2 from the door post, and 3 at the top into the dash pad.
Drain antifreeze and remove heater hoses from heater core at fire wall.
Next there are a few screws from inside the attach the inside box to firewall and one from outside on the fire wall. Remove all the screws and separate the inside box fromt the outside box. Also take note how the duct system goes together, it slip fit and should stay pretty much intact.
Carefully remove the inside box from the car, it will still have antifreeze and you will need to work it out so put plastic and old towels down on the carpet.
Once you have it out open it up to expose the heater core. Remove the old heater core and replace.
Reverse directions to reinstall.
Thake your time, it is a pretty east job but kind of time consuming. Good luck!
I just pulled my factory AC and replaced the whole thing with a Vintage Air system.
Remove the passenger dash panel, there are 2 or 3 screws from the center bezel, 2 from the door post, and 3 at the top into the dash pad.
Drain antifreeze and remove heater hoses from heater core at fire wall.
Next there are a few screws from inside the attach the inside box to firewall and one from outside on the fire wall. Remove all the screws and separate the inside box fromt the outside box. Also take note how the duct system goes together, it slip fit and should stay pretty much intact.
Carefully remove the inside box from the car, it will still have antifreeze and you will need to work it out so put plastic and old towels down on the carpet.
Once you have it out open it up to expose the heater core. Remove the old heater core and replace.
Reverse directions to reinstall.
Thake your time, it is a pretty east job but kind of time consuming. Good luck!
I just pulled my factory AC and replaced the whole thing with a Vintage Air system.
That procedure is for A/C cars. Non-A/C cars are done from the engine compartment.
cc
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 645
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From: Oregon
THANK YOU... THANK YOU.. THANK YOU. To all who responded!!! I chose the this last one. What a snap! Now all I have to do is order another one tomorrow, Thanks again to all
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
I would suggest that you ask your vendor if you have a 'choice' of heater cores to buy from. The "cheapies" are from China...they may be OK; they may not be OK. Spend a bit more and buy a good quality core, or take yours to a radiator shop and just have it re-cored. It would be best to go to a NAPA store and take your old one in to match-up with the new one...just so there won't be any assembly "surprises".
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From: Sometimes I wonder... why is that frisbee getting bigger? Then it hits me.
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
I would suggest that you ask your vendor if you have a 'choice' of heater cores to buy from. The "cheapies" are from China...they may be OK; they may not be OK. Spend a bit more and buy a good quality core, or take yours to a radiator shop and just have it re-cored. It would be best to go to a NAPA store and take your old one in to match-up with the new one...just so there won't be any assembly "surprises".
X 1,000,000 with this post. Pay a bit more and get a GOOD one. The ones from China are horrible. I returned 4 in my old 68 Camaro before I got a good one. 
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
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From: Ontario
