Heater core in '80
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 89
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From: Manchester NH
Heater core in '80
I know most of us don't need to use heat in these cars (it usually comes courtesy of the engine compartment), but my heater core is leaking onto the passenger floor. I haven't dug into it yet, but is it a big job? Are there any shortcuts/tips anyone has? I've done heater cores in other vehicles, but not a vette.
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,583
Likes: 5
From: Richardson Tx.
You will find lots of threads on this subject if you search the archives..
I did mine on my '79 and I wouldn't consider it the worst vette job as some may say. A lot of it depends on the condition of your dash. You do need to remove it and if it is brittle then this becomes a challenge. If it is new and pliable then goody...Just make sure that you have all of the screws out of the perimeter of the heater box before you start tugging on it.
I bought my new heater core at Autozone and then took it to a radiator shop to have it leak tested. The one sold by autozone is the same one sold by Napa. It will not fit exactly right- you will see what I am talking about if you get one from these places. Perhaps the Corvette vendors sell the exact replica- you will pay a little extra for it but you won't have to modify the frame that the core fits into.
good luck
I did mine on my '79 and I wouldn't consider it the worst vette job as some may say. A lot of it depends on the condition of your dash. You do need to remove it and if it is brittle then this becomes a challenge. If it is new and pliable then goody...Just make sure that you have all of the screws out of the perimeter of the heater box before you start tugging on it.
I bought my new heater core at Autozone and then took it to a radiator shop to have it leak tested. The one sold by autozone is the same one sold by Napa. It will not fit exactly right- you will see what I am talking about if you get one from these places. Perhaps the Corvette vendors sell the exact replica- you will pay a little extra for it but you won't have to modify the frame that the core fits into.
good luck
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
Originally Posted by 80L82
it usually comes courtesy of the engine compartment
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
Originally Posted by 80L82
I know most of us don't need to use heat in these cars (it usually comes courtesy of the engine compartment), but my heater core is leaking onto the passenger floor. I haven't dug into it yet, but is it a big job? Are there any shortcuts/tips anyone has? I've done heater cores in other vehicles, but not a vette.
Thanks in advance!
Thanks in advance!
Clean everything up while you are in there. Get any debri out from around the blower fan...it will be visible.
Jim
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
Corrrect. No need to take the entire dash out. No I can only speak for the 78-82 vehicles. Pre 77 have a different dash.
But the consol and guage cluster must come out. Once again the cluster only needs to come out to access the duct the goes to the distribution box behind it. If you can get this duct out you don't need to remove the cluster. I could not and had to remove it.
Jim
But the consol and guage cluster must come out. Once again the cluster only needs to come out to access the duct the goes to the distribution box behind it. If you can get this duct out you don't need to remove the cluster. I could not and had to remove it.
Jim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,575
Likes: 1
From: Tuttle OK
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
i'd take the dash out. it isn't that big of a chore and fighting around it will likely make you so pissed that you'll take a sawsall to your car..
...take the dash out and try this...
...take the dash out and try this...
