Hello all,
I have a late 69 400hp. Heater core needs replacing. Can I replace from engine compartment and not go through all the mess from under the dash? I saw on youtube a guy changing his 73 heater core from the engine side. That looks a lot easier. Thoughts

 

I THINK, if it does not have AC, it can be done at the firewall.

 

If you don't have AC it's a fairly easy job. Quite a bit harder with AC. On a no AC car you just remove the blower motor then there are 6 or 7 nuts around the outside of the housing. Remove them and lift the housing out and the heater core is right there.

 

Yes, it is a non air car. thanks

 

Inside box needs to be removed, unless you plan on cutting the firewall for removal. On the lighter side an earlier post stated that corvettes start their build with the heater core and the rest of the car is built around it. LOL T

 

Is the 69 heater core, non AC placement different from the later models?

 

Terry says go from the dash. Two others say from firewall. Saw video of guy changing his 73 from firewall. looks like he just detached heater hoses and removed a cover and there it was. Easy pleasey.

 

My only comment is that it can certainly be removed from the outside if the engine is out of the car. I have had it in and out 3 times in the last couple of days without removing anything from inside.
However, the reason I have it out is that someone enlarged the firewall to get it out years ago. I have now closed the hole back up and the heater core does slide in but I have noticed that there is a rubber seal that goes around the two heater lines just inside the firewall that has a small metal piece that secures it to heater box inside the firewall. I can not see how this small metal retainer can be attached once the heater core is in place and my firewall is built back up to the way it is supposed to look.

1.Will it stay secure with the clip? Yes, it seems very secure without it. (I assume the clip is original and has not been messed with over the years though I did not check the AIM)

2. Is this all possible with the engine in place? Probably as Grant said but I can not verify that. It would certainly make the job more difficult but it is likely possible with the overflow tank removed for a bit more room.

Here is a picture of damage someone did to my firewall which I suspect is from someone trying to remove it from the firewall and accessing the screws for the metal clip I was referring too.

 

Here are a couple of better pictures of the heater core and the rubber seal and the metal retaining clip (black piece with two holes) that I was referring to. Anyway, the other picture is it back in place and I have touched nothing inside the foot well area from inside the car. It does feel very secure without the retaining clip.

Good luck, Pete

 

Thanks for the pictures Pete.

 

For what it is worth the 1969 Chassis Service manual instructions remove it from inside.

 

Well rats. thanks

 

Without AC?

 

Put it back together and do it right.

 

Yes, Without A/C

 

As you can see on VancouverL71 that someone has done some cutting on the fire wall, someone carved the firewall on my 6t8 worse than that to get the heater core out. If you could see a pristine fire wall you will see why inner box needs to be removed. T