1971 Heater Core replacement non a/c
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1971 Heater Core replacement non a/c
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, or I haven't had my morning beer, but I'm struggling here and need the better minds of the c3 forum. I ordered a replacement heater core today, and have removed the blower motor housing cover. From another thread, I learned about the bracket on the left hand side of the heater core, and got that off. I just can't get this thing out. From a YouTube video, I saw that there was what seemed to be a thick foam collar around the inlet and outlet tubes, so I cut into that thinking that it levered the core into the box. While I haven't ripped it all out, I don't want to be a hack and mess with that old foam unless I know that I can make a new one or???? How does one get this darn thing out? On the left side where that clip was it seems there's a box that holds the core in, and I don't see a way to move this sucker out without cracking something. Thanks in advance.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Scarborough Maine Fredericksburg VA
You need to remove the heater from inside the car to rebuild or replace the core. Once you get that piece out there is a clamp that holds the core in place. Not sure if you have done this but based on what you have done so far I am thinking you haven't. There may be a way to not completely remove the inner box but I don't know how.
I just redid mine and found that most of the gaskets were pretty worn out. You can buy a rebuild kit from most of the vendors and it will include the piece that goes over the core tubes. I will say the one in my kit wasn't as nice as the stock one and took some work to get it to fit in just right. I also needed to re-caulk the inner metal box as the old stuff was not really stopping all of the air going by. The kit also comes with the black sealing "tape" to seal the firewall cover back up. Mine had a bunch of old silicone I was glad to get rid of.
Good luck it isn't to bad of a job but took me longer than I had hoped it would.
I just redid mine and found that most of the gaskets were pretty worn out. You can buy a rebuild kit from most of the vendors and it will include the piece that goes over the core tubes. I will say the one in my kit wasn't as nice as the stock one and took some work to get it to fit in just right. I also needed to re-caulk the inner metal box as the old stuff was not really stopping all of the air going by. The kit also comes with the black sealing "tape" to seal the firewall cover back up. Mine had a bunch of old silicone I was glad to get rid of.
Good luck it isn't to bad of a job but took me longer than I had hoped it would.
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at spf72: Thanks for your reply. I got it out by getting my hand behind the left hand side and pushing with my fingers. Not a lot of movement, but it was the start. I did get it out from the front as I had just buttoned up the front after these repairs: clock, speedo, oil pressure gauge, top dash pad . . . and more. I have a kit I got a few years ago with all of those gaskets, but as I didn't chew up too much, I'm going to use the foam piece they gave, (or maybe the new heater core will come with one). My next stop is re-doing the heater control and I can it drive-able with a good interior. The next big ticket items will be seats and carpet. btw, your car is a beaut.
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Well, I got it out and the story is that it is necessary to take out the heater box from the driver's side to do it right as there is a clip on the inlet/outlet side of the heater core that takes two small nuts. Unless the job has been done before you do it, and someone has gone cheesy, you can only do it right by pulling the box out and laying it out on the passenger side or pulling it out of the car. It's in now and I'm off to get some new heater hose, then it's re-install the passenger side dash pad and all that fun stuff. Thanks to spf72 and to the others on older threads for your insights. Now it's time for me to re-do the heater control.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,196
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From: Scarborough Maine Fredericksburg VA
Glad it worked out for you and thanks for the car compliment. When you rebuild your heater control Wilcox has a very good step by step instruction sheet with pictures. It isn't a bad job rebuilding it but getting it back in and hooked up kinda sucks.
Instructor
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8th Gear
Joined: Apr 2013
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From: tenino washington
HELPPPPPPP! please
iv been trying to find out if a heater housing from a 1972 or any other year will work in my 1968 a/c corvette. iv looked in alot of catalogs and they only offer housing for 1969 to 75. is a 1968 housing so differant that others will not work. hope someone out there can help. thanks David
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