Heater Hose Connections
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 27
From: Eastern North Carolina
Heater Hose Connections
Can somebody please give me some idea how you get to the heater hose clamps on the heater core. I decided to replace all the hoses while I have the engine out, but for the life of me I can't figure out how to remove the housing that covers the heater core. I've looked in the manual but that was no help. Is it really this much of a pain in the arsh to do? HELP 
Oh yeah its a 81 Corvette
Oh yeah its a 81 Corvette
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 27
From: Eastern North Carolina
Yes the car has A/C. I know where the hoses are connected at, I just can't figure out how to remove them from the core. There is very little access to the hose clamps unless I'm suppose to remove the housing.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 427
Likes: 1
I agree with KapsSA, I had just done mine and used a 1/4" ratchet, extension, flex joint with masking tape wrapped around the joint to reduce its flopping around and then the 5/16" socket. I came from the right side and underneath.
Once loose I slipped the clamps down and took a small X-acto knife and slit the hoses length ways to "peel" them off of the heater core. Mine were original 1976 and almost vulcanized themselves to the core. Go gentle.
Once loose I slipped the clamps down and took a small X-acto knife and slit the hoses length ways to "peel" them off of the heater core. Mine were original 1976 and almost vulcanized themselves to the core. Go gentle.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 27
From: Eastern North Carolina
Thanks, I'll have to take another look to see if I can get a 5/16th socket in there. I think the problem might be that a PO may have put this back together when they had the A/C condenser housing off. The clamps are turned so I don't think I'll be able to get anything on them. I might have to find a way to cut the clamps off, unless I take everything apart.....Tim
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 9,440
Likes: 240
From: Powassan ON
Thanks, I'll have to take another look to see if I can get a 5/16th socket in there. I think the problem might be that a PO may have put this back together when they had the A/C condenser housing off. The clamps are turned so I don't think I'll be able to get anything on them. I might have to find a way to cut the clamps off, unless I take everything apart.....Tim
I had the same issue as you, cant get the 5/16ths on the hoseclamp. I ended up using just a hacksaw blade (no handle!) and just cut the clamp off. Could use a cut-off wheel, but didnt have one at the time. Be crefull since the heater core outlet and inlet could be fragile after all these years. DONT use high pressure water to rinse out the core when you have it apart, might "blow a weld", then your in heap more problems. Gentle garden hose pressure will suffice.
good luck
dodosmike
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 27
From: Eastern North Carolina
I went throught his last summer with my A/C '78. IT CAN BE DONE.
I had the same issue as you, cant get the 5/16ths on the hoseclamp. I ended up using just a hacksaw blade (no handle!) and just cut the clamp off. Could use a cut-off wheel, but didnt have one at the time. Be crefull since the heater core outlet and inlet could be fragile after all these years. DONT use high pressure water to rinse out the core when you have it apart, might "blow a weld", then your in heap more problems. Gentle garden hose pressure will suffice.
good luck
dodosmike
I had the same issue as you, cant get the 5/16ths on the hoseclamp. I ended up using just a hacksaw blade (no handle!) and just cut the clamp off. Could use a cut-off wheel, but didnt have one at the time. Be crefull since the heater core outlet and inlet could be fragile after all these years. DONT use high pressure water to rinse out the core when you have it apart, might "blow a weld", then your in heap more problems. Gentle garden hose pressure will suffice.
good luck
dodosmike
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Powassan ON
