Heater Core Replacement: Success!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,068
Likes: 6
Heater Core Replacement: Success!
Howdy!
I just thought I'd share my success story for anyone who may be contemplating replacing the dreaded heater core! The core on my '93 spung a leak back in the spring, so I just bypassed it because I wasn't sure it was something I wanted to try to repair myself. Well, the time finally came when I had to make a decision, either take the car in and have someone do it and pay big $$ for labor, or take the bull by the horns and do it myself. After spending a lot of time reading the various posts about the procedure, I decided to do it myself! (Many thanks to Mr. Mojo for sending the pdf instructions!!)
Result: It wasn't that bad! I worked on it for a span of about 2 weeks, just a few hours at a time, whenever I had the time. There were a few nights I didn't even touch it, so overall I suppose I had less than 12 hrs invested! I did take my time, labeled each piece and had zip lock bags for the screws, etc, took pics when I knew I wouldn't remember 'how that looked' come reassembly time, and above all else did not get in a rush! I got everything back together yesterday afternoon (not a single left over screw!) and took it for a spin! Result: No leaks, plenty of heat (not that I needed it yesterday, because it felt like a spring day here) and all is well!
I've attached a few random pics!
I just thought I'd share my success story for anyone who may be contemplating replacing the dreaded heater core! The core on my '93 spung a leak back in the spring, so I just bypassed it because I wasn't sure it was something I wanted to try to repair myself. Well, the time finally came when I had to make a decision, either take the car in and have someone do it and pay big $$ for labor, or take the bull by the horns and do it myself. After spending a lot of time reading the various posts about the procedure, I decided to do it myself! (Many thanks to Mr. Mojo for sending the pdf instructions!!)
Result: It wasn't that bad! I worked on it for a span of about 2 weeks, just a few hours at a time, whenever I had the time. There were a few nights I didn't even touch it, so overall I suppose I had less than 12 hrs invested! I did take my time, labeled each piece and had zip lock bags for the screws, etc, took pics when I knew I wouldn't remember 'how that looked' come reassembly time, and above all else did not get in a rush! I got everything back together yesterday afternoon (not a single left over screw!) and took it for a spin! Result: No leaks, plenty of heat (not that I needed it yesterday, because it felt like a spring day here) and all is well!
I've attached a few random pics!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,789
Likes: 8
From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Been putting mine off got a small bottle of bars in it and it works for now. Sounds as bad as I thought it would be. I hate taking dashes out they always seen to rattle afterward let alone there are a few fragile plastic parts. I haven't had much luck with Corvette plastic it usually snaps when I put something back togther. Good to hear a sucess story though and you are part of the part #001 club now.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
You are 75% C4 Expert. That is a C4 owner's fear
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,068
Likes: 6
Believe me, I probably changed my mind a dozen or so times before I finally decided to do it myself! There were a few times after the point of no return when I had serious doubts about my ability to pull this off!
To be honest, one of those times was about 15 minutes into the project when I couldn't get the shift **** removed!
(It wasn't funny then, but I can laugh about it now!) I came very close to pulling the plug on the operation right then and there!
In the end, it was well worth the effort! With the proper instructions and plenty of patience, anyone can do it! :
To be honest, one of those times was about 15 minutes into the project when I couldn't get the shift **** removed!
(It wasn't funny then, but I can laugh about it now!) I came very close to pulling the plug on the operation right then and there!In the end, it was well worth the effort! With the proper instructions and plenty of patience, anyone can do it! :
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Verdad Gallardo
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,616
Likes: 5
From: Sandhills of North Carolina
Believe me, I probably changed my mind a dozen or so times before I finally decided to do it myself! There were a few times after the point of no return when I had serious doubts about my ability to pull this off!
To be honest, one of those times was about 15 minutes into the project when I couldn't get the shift **** removed! (It wasn't funny then, but I can laugh about it now!) I came very close to pulling the plug on the operation right then and there!
In the end, it was well worth the effort! With the proper instructions and plenty of patience, anyone can do it! :
To be honest, one of those times was about 15 minutes into the project when I couldn't get the shift **** removed!
(It wasn't funny then, but I can laugh about it now!) I came very close to pulling the plug on the operation right then and there!In the end, it was well worth the effort! With the proper instructions and plenty of patience, anyone can do it! :
Cool! I'm not far from you so come on and do mine.......J/K.
Good job! It does look intimidating though.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,068
Likes: 6
That is a sweet Vette you've got there!
Happy New Year!
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,068
Likes: 6
QUOTE=Larry/car;1568373142]"Congratulations" wasn't that fun? The key is to take your time and not expect to finish in one day.[/QUOTE]
That's the key!! Took me many years to finally get that through my thick skull! Better late than never!!!
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks!
That's the key!! Took me many years to finally get that through my thick skull! Better late than never!!!
Thanks!
Thanks!
Thanks!
Moderator Emeritus
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 46,133
Likes: 111
From: Maryville Tn
CI 5 thru 12 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '23
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Congrats! Looks like you did it the hard way (removing the dash). I did the core when I had my '85 from underneath the dash (removing the passenger seat for more room). Did the job after work in two nights. Not as bad as everyone makes it out to be, but I'm in no hurry to do it again. 
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 10,777
Likes: 5
From: Wichita Ks
I'm glad some of you guys take on jobs like this. When the time comes I need to do this the experience and information will be there to give me the confidence to tackle a job like this. Job well done.