81 heater core
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 63
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From: California
81 heater core
Just filled the passenger side up with antifreeze, i removed the seat and washed out the carpet along with the padding. My question is do i get to the heater core from the inside or through the engine compartment.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,596
Likes: 3,082
From: Shamong, NJ
You have to get to it through the interior. You pretty much have to remove the console, center gauge cluster/radio, duct work and glove box. To gain more working room, I always remove the t-tops and the passenger seat. There's one stud that goes through the firewall into the engine compartment with a nut on it, that can be tricky to find and will drive you nuts if you don't know about it. Everything else unbolts from the interior and the whole box assembly mo\ust come out through the interior. Count on spending 8 hours (or more) on this project, seriously!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,575
Likes: 1
From: Tuttle OK
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
If you have A/C, it comes out from the interior. Some say they take it out through the glove box, but I would have to see it before I'd believe it.
In any event, click for a write up I did a few years back, hope it helps.
In any event, click for a write up I did a few years back, hope it helps.
5th Gear
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
81 heater core...
Good evening,
That is a pretty big job. I just replaced the h/c on my 79. I am not so sure about being able to do without removing the dash.
In my experience the stereo, gauges, speedo and dash all had to come out. As another person had suggested looking at spending the better part of a day on that project.
Look on the bright side, if you do it yourself you will save a ton of cash.
Regards,
Tommy Krak
Now how do I go about fixing the cruise on my dad's 81?
That is a pretty big job. I just replaced the h/c on my 79. I am not so sure about being able to do without removing the dash.
In my experience the stereo, gauges, speedo and dash all had to come out. As another person had suggested looking at spending the better part of a day on that project.
Look on the bright side, if you do it yourself you will save a ton of cash.
Regards,
Tommy Krak
Now how do I go about fixing the cruise on my dad's 81?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,596
Likes: 3,082
From: Shamong, NJ
If you have A/C, it comes out from the interior. Some say they take it out through the glove box, but I would have to see it before I'd believe it.
In any event, click for a write up I did a few years back, hope it helps.
In any event, click for a write up I did a few years back, hope it helps.
As for it coming out through the glove box, there is no way, but it will come out from under the dash when the glove box liner has been removed. There is no need to remove or losen the dash.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,596
Likes: 3,082
From: Shamong, NJ
Tommy,
The problem with the cruise is probably the transducer. It can be found to the left of and below the master cylinder. This is usually the cause of trouble with the cruise control. Rebuilts run about $90.00-100.00 outright, no core. Just make sure you get an 81-82 unit, these have a resume feature that the 78-80's don't.
The problem with the cruise is probably the transducer. It can be found to the left of and below the master cylinder. This is usually the cause of trouble with the cruise control. Rebuilts run about $90.00-100.00 outright, no core. Just make sure you get an 81-82 unit, these have a resume feature that the 78-80's don't.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 275
Likes: 6
From: NY
If you have A/C, it comes out from the interior. Some say they take it out through the glove box, but I would have to see it before I'd believe it.
In any event, click for a write up I did a few years back, hope it helps.
In any event, click for a write up I did a few years back, hope it helps.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,575
Likes: 1
From: Tuttle OK
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Lot's of different ways to do every job. I'd rather take the dash out than fight under it. Just my opinion.
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 271
Likes: 25
From: Buena Vista Colorado
Another very good how-I-did-it by a forum member:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1852316
A b***h of a job.
Good Luck!
Jerry
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1852316
A b***h of a job.
Good Luck!
Jerry
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: California
Thanks everyone, i just got it out, Now the question is i've seen replacements on E-bay for 40.00 and the ones at mid america and other mags for 80.00
is there a real differance? I dont want to do this again soon.
is there a real differance? I dont want to do this again soon.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
I would add to AVETTE4me. Vt4me is totally correct R&Ring the core. What did me was replacement cores. They aren't silver soldered therefore brittle. You won't know this until a year or so when defrost = a foggy windshield. Approx 3 or 4 additional screws removes the firewall with the heater fan. Take the pleneum, heater core, fan housing/Wfirewall attached to a radiator shop. Have the Input/Output water lines silver soldered into the core so that the core tank water lines are not being stressed by the firewall and your heater lines have sufficient clearance from the firewall. You don't want to do this job > 1ce
