heater core woes
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Thorofare, NJ, USA
heater core woes
I never had a heater core out or know what it looks like. I replaced a heater hose which I thought was leaking at where I believe the fitting for the core is. It seemed odd when I removed the hose that it looked ok for a 20 year piece. Non the less I replaced it anyway. After starting the car I noticed a light stream of coolant coming from the top of the hose just above the clamp. After closer inspection I realized it was coming from above the fitting. Does this mean a new heater core? God I hope not. I had the entire interior apart (dash and console) when I restored it and found it a major pain in the behind. Will I have to remove the dash to get to the core? Can the fitting at the core ends be repaired? You gotta really love these cars to put up with this stuff. The car is an 81 but only has 9000 miles on it. I thought that only cars with high miles have heater cores crap out...ARGGGGGGGGGG!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,144
Likes: 195
From: Englewood FL
Re: heater core woes (Michael Mustac)
It is possible that it is the heater core. But I have seen the hoses leak
due to the heater core pipe collapsing from the force of the clamp.
Try installing another clamp below the first one. You can completely
loosen the clamp so it slips over the heater hose to save from removing
the heater hose again.
If the heater core needs changing the center gauge cluster, glove
compartment ac and defroster ducts need to be removed to gain access.
Removing the right hand seat makes it easier to work in the area.
due to the heater core pipe collapsing from the force of the clamp.
Try installing another clamp below the first one. You can completely
loosen the clamp so it slips over the heater hose to save from removing
the heater hose again.
If the heater core needs changing the center gauge cluster, glove
compartment ac and defroster ducts need to be removed to gain access.
Removing the right hand seat makes it easier to work in the area.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 344
Likes: 0
From: Jasper, GA
Re: heater core woes (Michael Mustac)
This is probably going to get you :mad and not what you want to hear... but if it is the core.. you must remove the dash completely to replace the heater core without damaging it... and, the A/C box on the outside must be loosened and slightly pulled away from the firewall also... the heater core has VERY long tubes on it.. and if you try to replace without removing the dash... well, more than likely you will damage it! :cry
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Thorofare, NJ, USA
Re: heater core woes (Torcher)
Thanks Torcher. Like I said to Mark I'm gonna just pull the f@#?&#g thing out. According to Hayes it's not to difficult just time consuming...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 2,144
Likes: 195
From: Englewood FL
Re: heater core woes (Michael Mustac)
Before you do this, try the adding the second hose clamp. On the 1979
I have, the heater hose leaked. It looked like it was the heater core as
the foam insulation was wet above the heater hose. Turned out the
coolent was seeping out from the end of the hose and wicking up into
the insulation. All it needed was a second clamp mounted below the
first one.
I have, the heater hose leaked. It looked like it was the heater core as
the foam insulation was wet above the heater hose. Turned out the
coolent was seeping out from the end of the hose and wicking up into
the insulation. All it needed was a second clamp mounted below the
first one.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 7,072
Likes: 4
From: Maryland
Re: heater core woes (Michael Mustac)
You might find this useful - it's a set of photos when I had Tony's Corvette do the heater core job for me. I decided not to tackle it myself.
http://www.annapolis.net/members/jul...e/HeatCore.htm
http://www.annapolis.net/members/jul...e/HeatCore.htm
