See my thread in "General" re putting in a new stereo. The pic shows where I am stalled pending receipt of a new gauge bezel in 3-4 days.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2071775

My heater core blew about six weeks ago and is now bypassed. But this would seem like a window of opportunity to get the old out and the new (AC Delco) unit in. The old while-you're-at-it. But it does make sense in this instance. But I do not know where to go from here. The ducting is exposed, etc. Where is the darn heater core? What do I remove next?

 

You are almost there. The core is in the box just below and behind that duct on the passengerside. Remove that duct.You need to get under the car and disconnect the two heater hoses that connect to the core. The hoses are at the lowest point on the firewall on the passengerside. they may be a pain to get off so cut them as close to the heater core pipe as possible, What ever cut part is left on the core must be removed other wise the core box will not come out the opening is just big enough for the piping NOT THE RUBBER.

Once that is done you will find I believe 3 screws on the interior side holding the core box to the firewall. There is also one bolt that is hard to see on the engine side on the fire wall which has to come out.

Don't forget the lines coming from your heater/ac switch they unplug/disconnect on the core box.

Once you have the bolts off lift and gently twist the core box. The heater core is in that black box. You now need to open up the black box to get at it. Clean everything up while you are in there. also reach in and get all those years of leaves and crude out of the housing the blower motor is in. This will still be attached to the car...it does not come out with the core.

Goods choice on the Delco. You don't want to do this job twice. FWIW GM still sells the core...at little more expensive but worth it in my opinion.

Jim

 

Paul 67,
I would like to add to be sure to remove the passenger carpet or at least lay something down over the carpet to protect it when removing the heater core, and taking out the seat can help to if needed to have more work area.
Like jdp6000 said about the bolt that's on the top left holding the heater core housing from the inside it goes thur the firewall and on the engine side it has a wire harness metal bracket for holding the wire, and it's hidden behind it.
Good luck, I'm still searching or my heater core and looking hard at the delco's but having a hard time finding one in my area.

 

uuhhhggg...


reading Jims good post above kind of makes me want to forget about my recent issue and just leave the by-pass/ plugs on for good


ey ey ey ....

Paul, definitely keep us informed and let us know how your swap goes, if possible


Andy

 

Thanks for the comments. When the core blew I simply reached under the car with a knife and cut the two hoses, so the remnants of those remain on the car. I do not have a lift so I guess I'll have to jack up the passenger side, secure with jack stands, and get those remnants and clamps off. I thought that that could be avoided but nothing is simple on these cars.

 

It usually takes about 4 hours but Paul is about 1/2 way there. Its not that bad of a job.

Jim

 

Getting the old hose off was a 90-minute treat on my back under a jacked-up car. That with a pinched nerve in my shoulder. The clamps did not cooperate and the old rubber hoses were heat-welded to the brass spouts. Anyone know what tin-snips are? The old heater core spouts and the core itself are history. But the hoses are off.

Anyone interested in the sequel? I'm determined to get the new AC Delco unit in.

 

I'll pay to see that sequel and #3 & #4.

 

Hi Paul,
You mentioned a new center gauge cluster bezel.
I can't caution you strongly enough to be careful installing it. The top 1/3 wants to break off so easily it'll make you want to cry. You'll notice it's pot metal, so it's weak and gives you absolutlely NO WARNING that it's going to pop. I broke 1 side on my 71 and I knew better.
Regards,
Alan

 

Thanks Alan,
The new bezel arrived today. I will be careful.

On the heater core, This is one of the most miserable and $&&^% jobs I have ever done on a Corvette. Nothing comes out easy. But it does come out eventually. And tomorrow it will go back in. I just so tired with it take it any further today. I have many pics but here are a few.









Cleaned up box and new AC Delco core unit.

 

Me. too, Alan.

 

Thats an outstanding job, and did you have any problems fitting your new delco heater core? If not where can I order one. I'm at work and were going to lose the internet for a couple of days and wont be online till then.
Until then I'll search the net for a H/C. Did find a out fit in PA to rebuild the harrison for 200.00 Ouch. Thanks, and again thats a great job.

 

GM still sells them. Call a local dealer.

Jim

 

Reach in where the blower is and clean out the compartment as well.

Jim

 

AC Delco #15-63338. Made in USA. About $100.00. Not the $37.00 Chinese on EBay cheap samplings but I will sleep at at night with a few less dollars...and drive with confidence/comfort on the road. Believe me, you don't want do this job twice!! It's not a pleasant job.

 

You are far better off with the Delco.

 

Thank you very much Jim and Paul for the information.

 

I finished up the heater core job today. I never, never, never ... repeat never want to do that job again! I did not know what I was doing and it took 10 hours. The local GM dealer said "no thanks" and wouldn't even touch the job. Mitchell flat rate says about five hours and they laughed. But it's done...by me and grateful help from my younger Brother. He did most of the installation gymnastics. Trim is not on yet that is the last 10%.

But we also got the KHE-300 stereo (50W x 4) in. Very nice. IPod entry upfront. I love the sound. Pioneer two-ways up top and three-ways in the stock kick panels. The latter are muted by the perforations but that is OK by me. The sound is just fine for those whose interests are not boom-boom. The Wife says the system is too loud; a good sign.

 

Hi Paul,
Nice work on a really lousy job.
I always envied you because you always seemed to be DRIVING your 67not WORKING on it. Now I see you WASTE good days working on them too.
Old cars are so much fun!!!
Regards,
Alan

 

Alan,
What you see is not necessarily reality. I have scores of hours of work in the 1967 and now the 1974. But I do buy Corvettes 80%+ done and "there" so I avoid the major issues often discussed here. For example I would not buy a Corvette with rust issues or in need of a front clip. I simply do not have the competence or facilities to take on those types of projects. So I basically just tune, fix minor things, clean, tweak, and drive. I tend not to drive further than a $100 flat-bed ride home . But that's me. Conservative Old Fart just liking Sunday afternoon drives.

The interior is back together with some mods concerning the repro gauge bezel. We all know the repro drill. Some new mount holes and "incorrect" trim screws. What the heck; it looks OK to me. Just vacuum and shampoo and drive.