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82 heater core "Im scared"
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Joined: May 2000
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From: PA USA
82 heater core "Im scared"
Let me set the story. A beautiful day out for a ride, stop the car at the red light and BAM! I smell that sweet smell of anti-freeeze and instantly I get sick to my stomach. I feel ever so slowly to the passenger side floor and there it is, my next repair project.
I went through the achives and my worst fears on repairs seem to be true. Can any one recently honestly change the bad rep this little monster gets. Of coarse, I do have A/C
Are there any posts I missed, sites, or tips that can make this any easier. I seen a very dipicted post on a 70 w/ A/C. Is that the hell I'm going to go through?
Well, I have learned alot from the past posts, so I'll have to get to work. I thought that maybe someone has found a easier, more user-friendly approach to this task. PLEASE, let me know if it exists.
Thanks all!
fyne82
I went through the achives and my worst fears on repairs seem to be true. Can any one recently honestly change the bad rep this little monster gets. Of coarse, I do have A/C
Are there any posts I missed, sites, or tips that can make this any easier. I seen a very dipicted post on a 70 w/ A/C. Is that the hell I'm going to go through?
Well, I have learned alot from the past posts, so I'll have to get to work. I thought that maybe someone has found a easier, more user-friendly approach to this task. PLEASE, let me know if it exists.
Thanks all!
fyne82
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Re: 82 heater core "Im scared" (fyne82)
I spent an entire weekend replacing mine. No, I didn't have AC, but I did have two amps, two crossovers, and a giant spaghetti-ball of wires that had to be individually labeled before disconnection. The best advice I can give is to take your time (hopefully, you have another car to drive in the meantime) and do it right. While you have things apart, spend the extra time to clean things well. You'll feel alot better when it's done.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
Re: 82 heater core "Im scared" (fyne82)
I actually just finished doing this today on my 76. Im not sure how similar the two years are but if its anything like mine was it was a peice of cake. But take into conisideration I already had my interior completely stripped including dash and most of the air duct thats in the way. after that I just popped out the old one and in with the new. The hardest part was getting the hose clamps off the old heater hose. I imagine without having the interior out it would be a PITA, but i think its more of a time consuming job thats just no fun rather than something thats hard to do.
Jason
Jason
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 569
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From: SLC, UT USA
Re: 82 heater core "Im scared" (fyne82)
:eek:My gut hurts just thinking about this one
It's "one of those jobs" that next time I will pay a good mechanic to do right the first time. I loathe HVAC work
Unless you have no other choice save your sanity & $$. If you mess up it'll cost everytime you have to take it a part.
It's "one of those jobs" that next time I will pay a good mechanic to do right the first time. I loathe HVAC work
Unless you have no other choice save your sanity & $$. If you mess up it'll cost everytime you have to take it a part.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Tucson AZ
Re: 82 heater core "Im scared" (dsagers)
If I wouldnt have had everything cleared out I would have probably dreaded this much more...If anything ever goes wrong again Ill just disconnect it...who needs a heater in AZ anyway :D
Jason
Jason
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,310
Likes: 1
Re: 82 heater core "Im scared" (fyne82)
I think this is one of those total pain in the butt jobs (as you've seen by your research), but...
1. It'd have to be a great shop for me to trust that they'd get everything just right.
2. It'll cost even more to have a shop "do it right" and replace all of the seals and felts and etc.
As much of a PITB as it was, if mine goes out again, I'll do the work again and make sure all of the little details (that most shops don't pay attention to) are taken care of. Also...
3. Since the passenger side carpet needs to come out to be shampooed, it'd be a good time to remove the driver's side carpet too, put down some heat barrier, and clean up the seat frames.
Just some thoughts. Either way you go, Good Luck.
1. It'd have to be a great shop for me to trust that they'd get everything just right.
2. It'll cost even more to have a shop "do it right" and replace all of the seals and felts and etc.
As much of a PITB as it was, if mine goes out again, I'll do the work again and make sure all of the little details (that most shops don't pay attention to) are taken care of. Also...
3. Since the passenger side carpet needs to come out to be shampooed, it'd be a good time to remove the driver's side carpet too, put down some heat barrier, and clean up the seat frames.
Just some thoughts. Either way you go, Good Luck.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: 82 heater core "Im scared" (jerryp58)
I think this is one of those jobs that depends on your ability, tools and working conditons. If you live on the third floor of an apartment and only have a screw driver and pliers...don't try. If you have a nice workshop and tools, it is not that bad. Just takes a little time. Do NOT try to repair you old heater core. Also pressure check the new one BEFORE you install it. I have seen new ones leak.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 6,213
Likes: 1
From: South Alabama
Re: 82 heater core "Im scared" (fyne82)
If the set-up is anything like a '78 I used to have you have reason to be scared. :D :D What a PITA...but I tried to make the most of it and fixed up a bunch of other stuff while I had everything out. Was much happier with the completed "package" and a good learning experience. :cheers:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Connecticut
Re: 82 heater core "Im scared" (Cajun75)
I just did my 73 with air. Not a hard job, just took three days, on and off. I lowered the steering column and unbolted the drivers side dash to make it easier to R&R the center ductwork.
The only problems I created are the power windows don't work (hopefully a blown fuse) and the headlights don't lower because a hose came off the switch under the steering column.
I am taking a break before tackling those jobs.
[fixed the problems, I had pulled a hose off the valve and pinched a wire (actually three wires) but all is well now, and the heat cranks!]
Joe
[Modified by joe73vette, 6:58 PM 9/2/2002]
The only problems I created are the power windows don't work (hopefully a blown fuse) and the headlights don't lower because a hose came off the switch under the steering column.
I am taking a break before tackling those jobs.
[fixed the problems, I had pulled a hose off the valve and pinched a wire (actually three wires) but all is well now, and the heat cranks!]
Joe
[Modified by joe73vette, 6:58 PM 9/2/2002]
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 54
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From: PA USA
Re: 82 heater core "Im scared" (joe73vette)
Hey all!
Thanks for the input.I took a lot of the advice and started off. Cleared most of the area out (glovebox, carpet,seat, center console etc)
I set off with the attitide to take my time and walk away when mad. I have more then general knowledge but no expert, and enough room and tools to do damage. I have other vehicles, so this isn't the daily driver.
I haven't got into the "meat & potato" end of it but so far I rate it a "5" many other things I would rather do then this!
Hey, besides heat, what are the downfalls, if any to by-passing the Heater core? The car isn't a winter ride, heck it ain't seen snow in 20yrs. Will the the car run hotter?
Thanks for the input.I took a lot of the advice and started off. Cleared most of the area out (glovebox, carpet,seat, center console etc)
I set off with the attitide to take my time and walk away when mad. I have more then general knowledge but no expert, and enough room and tools to do damage. I have other vehicles, so this isn't the daily driver.
I haven't got into the "meat & potato" end of it but so far I rate it a "5" many other things I would rather do then this!
Hey, besides heat, what are the downfalls, if any to by-passing the Heater core? The car isn't a winter ride, heck it ain't seen snow in 20yrs. Will the the car run hotter?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 6,161
Likes: 0
From: Easton PA
Re: 82 heater core "Im scared" (fyne82)
Hey all!
Thanks for the input.I took a lot of the advice and started off. Cleared most of the area out (glovebox, carpet,seat, center console etc)
I set off with the attitide to take my time and walk away when mad. I have more then general knowledge but no expert, and enough room and tools to do damage. I have other vehicles, so this isn't the daily driver.
I haven't got into the "meat & potato" end of it but so far I rate it a "5" many other things I would rather do then this!
Hey, besides heat, what are the downfalls, if any to by-passing the Heater core? The car isn't a winter ride, heck it ain't seen snow in 20yrs. Will the the car run hotter?
Thanks for the input.I took a lot of the advice and started off. Cleared most of the area out (glovebox, carpet,seat, center console etc)
I set off with the attitide to take my time and walk away when mad. I have more then general knowledge but no expert, and enough room and tools to do damage. I have other vehicles, so this isn't the daily driver.
I haven't got into the "meat & potato" end of it but so far I rate it a "5" many other things I would rather do then this!
Hey, besides heat, what are the downfalls, if any to by-passing the Heater core? The car isn't a winter ride, heck it ain't seen snow in 20yrs. Will the the car run hotter?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Connecticut
Re: 82 heater core "Im scared" (fyne82)
If you don't need heat, it won't hurt the motor to bypass the core. HOWEVER, the heater is used with the defroster to warm up the dry air blowing on the windshield. Also, the heater is a good emergency heat dissapator if the car starts overheating. Thirdly, it gets cold here, even if it isn't snowing, especially in the mornings, but maybe not where you live. Joe
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,336
Likes: 4
From: Springfield MA
Re: 82 heater core "Im scared" (joe73vette)
My advice....(you'll have to trust me on this one)
While you are there, check the evaporator core.
After replacing everything, new heater core etc... and completely reassembling the AC and getting it to work, I may have a small leak in the evaporator.
So... I have to take it all apart again. AAARRRRGGGHHHH!!!!
Next time, I spend the money and do it all at once.
While you are there, check the evaporator core.
After replacing everything, new heater core etc... and completely reassembling the AC and getting it to work, I may have a small leak in the evaporator.
So... I have to take it all apart again. AAARRRRGGGHHHH!!!!
Next time, I spend the money and do it all at once.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: PA USA
Re: 82 heater core "Im scared" (joe73vette)
Well the heated defroster air would be the selling point here. Living in PA it gets cold also but like I said it sits in a heated garage with the others until spring so I won't need it to keep me warm just clear the windows on a chilly night in October.
I guess I'm procrastinating the inevitable I should just bite the bullet fix it and hope I don't screw anything else up along the way?
I guess I'm procrastinating the inevitable I should just bite the bullet fix it and hope I don't screw anything else up along the way?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 2,280
Likes: 0
From: colorado springs CO
Re: 82 heater core "Im scared" (fyne82)
i did it on my 76 (w/AC)
it was easy.
go buy some black silicon cualking from home depot to use to seal everything up nice and tight...
:lol:
it was easy.
go buy some black silicon cualking from home depot to use to seal everything up nice and tight...
:lol:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 2
From: Des Moines Iowa
Re: 82 heater core "Im scared" (fyne82)
I agree with silvervetteman and jerryp58, this is a job that can be done, if you have a garage, tools and don't need the car right away, and you'd pay a good mechanic lots of money to do the job completely right the first time, including fixing all those other little things, like wiring, vacuum hoses, seals, heat barrier etc.........
This was one of the first projects I did when I got my '81, since the heater core was leaking when I bought the car, heck, it even came with the new heater core............believe owner decided to sell car because the magnatude of the job scared him when he found out about the work involved........
As many others have said, the job takes time to do correctly, and absolutely have new heater core checked for leaks BEFORE you install it.
Also advice to check and clean out A/C evaporator & area is great advice. Good time to remove heater blower motor and make sure entire heating / cooling system is clean and not have plugged up with leaves, dirt and crap.............
This was one of the first projects I did when I got my '81, since the heater core was leaking when I bought the car, heck, it even came with the new heater core............believe owner decided to sell car because the magnatude of the job scared him when he found out about the work involved........
As many others have said, the job takes time to do correctly, and absolutely have new heater core checked for leaks BEFORE you install it.
Also advice to check and clean out A/C evaporator & area is great advice. Good time to remove heater blower motor and make sure entire heating / cooling system is clean and not have plugged up with leaves, dirt and crap.............
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: PA USA
Re: 82 heater core "Im scared" (john's '81 mouse)
WOW!
If I haven't learned anything.... I've learned that I ain't alone for the quest of the "perfect" vette.
Before I started this adventure on Sunday I thought "why me,stuff like this only happens to me" After archive research and the responses today... I've only just begun.
Its nice to hear that others have been there and back and survived, I'm SURE this is nothing... compared to what could happen.
I'm going to probably start the dirty work this weekend!
Thanks ALL!
If I haven't learned anything.... I've learned that I ain't alone for the quest of the "perfect" vette.
Before I started this adventure on Sunday I thought "why me,stuff like this only happens to me" After archive research and the responses today... I've only just begun.
Its nice to hear that others have been there and back and survived, I'm SURE this is nothing... compared to what could happen.
I'm going to probably start the dirty work this weekend!
Thanks ALL!