Heater core
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 81
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From: Charleston SC
Heater core
My 92 needs to have the heater core replaced. It’s quit expensive. Not to mention every thing that has to be removed. I wonder if it would all work again. I properly only use the heater three or four times a year. Was thinking about just turning the hoses to the heater core back on one another. Has anyone done that and what do you think?
Lou
Lou
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
Whatever they want to replace your heater core would be cheap! When they start building a corvette, they start with a heater core and build the car around it!
Or so it seems. A lot of people down here just bypass the heater cores. Of course, we do need our AC working good.
Or so it seems. A lot of people down here just bypass the heater cores. Of course, we do need our AC working good.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 3
From: Conowingo Maryland
There is no reason why everthing should not work again. I have done vehicles that are a he#l of a lot harder then c4's. You may not need it for heat a lot in SC. But I know of a lot of cool nights you may need it to defog your windows. By passing works but just think about the weather you are going thry right now or last week
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3,759
Likes: 8
There is no reason why everthing should not work again. I have done vehicles that are a he#l of a lot harder then c4's. You may not need it for heat a lot in SC. But I know of a lot of cool nights you may need it to defog your windows. By passing works but just think about the weather you are going thry right now or last week
Racer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 301
Likes: 17
From: Toronto Ontario
On a '92 Vette, you can replace the heater core without having to remove anything besides the glove box lid and the hush panel below to gain access to the core itself from underneath. The lid up top is removed in order to get access to the upper screws along the heater core housing. Contrary to popular belief, you DON'T have to remove the entire dash...
I did the heater core on my '92 a few month's back in preparation for this upcoming winter since I drive the car year round, and bypassing the heater is simply not an option for me. It wasn't exactly an "easy" job by any stretch of the imagination, but it did require a lot of patience and of coarse, a lot of flexibility on my part.
You can follow the link in my signature to the thread I started showing a few pictures of what I had to remove. Should give you a rough idea of what's involved in the project.
If you insist on ditching the heater all together though, yes, it's as simple as just splicing the two coolant hoses (that go into the heater core through the firewall) - together using a barbed fitting of some sort. You can usually pick them up at your local plumbing supply/hardware store for cheap.
Hope that helps!
I did the heater core on my '92 a few month's back in preparation for this upcoming winter since I drive the car year round, and bypassing the heater is simply not an option for me. It wasn't exactly an "easy" job by any stretch of the imagination, but it did require a lot of patience and of coarse, a lot of flexibility on my part.
You can follow the link in my signature to the thread I started showing a few pictures of what I had to remove. Should give you a rough idea of what's involved in the project.
If you insist on ditching the heater all together though, yes, it's as simple as just splicing the two coolant hoses (that go into the heater core through the firewall) - together using a barbed fitting of some sort. You can usually pick them up at your local plumbing supply/hardware store for cheap.
Hope that helps!
Last edited by LT1*C4; Dec 21, 2010 at 06:06 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 2,082
Likes: 3
From: Conowingo Maryland
Your right josh.car has to get warm. I dont know where you live but the other night went to get in the car to go home it was in the low 20 all the windows iced over. Car would be sitting 4 days latter if I did not have defog or heat. Iv even had to use defog on summer nights when going down into cool valleys.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 150
Likes: 0
From: Nebraska
On a '92 Vette, you can replace the heater core without having to remove anything besides the glove box lid and the hush panel below to gain access to the core itself from underneath. The lid up top is removed in order to get access to the upper screws along the heater core housing. Contrary to popular belief, you DON'T have to remove the entire dash...
I did the heater core on my '92 a few month's back in preparation for this upcoming winter since I drive the car year round, and bypassing the heater is simply not an option for me. It wasn't exactly an "easy" job by any stretch of the imagination, but it did require a lot of patience and of coarse, a lot of flexibility on my part.
You can follow the link in my signature to the thread I started showing a few pictures of what I had to remove. Should give you a rough idea of what's involved in the project.
If you insist on ditching the heater all together though, yes, it's as simple as just splicing the two coolant hoses (that go into the heater core through the firewall) - together using a barbed fitting of some sort. You can usually pick them up at your local plumbing supply/hardware store for cheap.
Hope that helps!
I did the heater core on my '92 a few month's back in preparation for this upcoming winter since I drive the car year round, and bypassing the heater is simply not an option for me. It wasn't exactly an "easy" job by any stretch of the imagination, but it did require a lot of patience and of coarse, a lot of flexibility on my part.
You can follow the link in my signature to the thread I started showing a few pictures of what I had to remove. Should give you a rough idea of what's involved in the project.
If you insist on ditching the heater all together though, yes, it's as simple as just splicing the two coolant hoses (that go into the heater core through the firewall) - together using a barbed fitting of some sort. You can usually pick them up at your local plumbing supply/hardware store for cheap.
Hope that helps!
Nice write up.
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From: So. Cal.
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The first time you change out a vette heater core it can be challenging.
After the first one, its alot easier.
If you do it yourself, you can apply for this certificate
After the first one, its alot easier.
If you do it yourself, you can apply for this certificate
Last edited by CorvetteMike2024; Dec 22, 2010 at 08:31 AM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 470
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From: elk grove,ca
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 225
Likes: 1
From: Lake Hughes Ca.
St. Jude Donor '10
I'm still in the process of changing out my heater core. I've gotten to the point of having the new one in and the cover back on. But, due to alot of Christmas stuff, that is where I had to stop. I'll continue working on it after Christmas.
I was doing mine according to the post of "Fastguy" and some others. If it helps, here is a "copy and paste" of Fastguy's post.
Heater core done, it was pretty easy.
Whoever wrote that huge "pull the dash out" article was a friggin' crackhead.
You don't pull the dash, instead, pull the passenger seat.
Pull the hush panel, drop the ECM and the door control module.
Remove the support bar going from the door pillar to the dash.
Use a 7mm to take the cover off the heater box.
Pull the cover, unbolt the core, re-install.
Drink beer and laugh at webpage showing guys pulling dash.
[Modified by Fastguy, 8:17 PM 4/6/2003]
Now, believe me, it's not as easy as it sounds. I had to remove the top dash pad to get the screws to remove the (what I call) the passenger impact pad. Once that was out of the way, it was still not an easy task, but alot better then removing the whole dash, as some say you have to. The first thing that you really have to do is remove the Passenger seat.
Anyway, good luck. This is a job I don't wish on anyone.
But,,,,,,, I do agree with the "having a beer" part.
I was doing mine according to the post of "Fastguy" and some others. If it helps, here is a "copy and paste" of Fastguy's post.
Heater core done, it was pretty easy.
Whoever wrote that huge "pull the dash out" article was a friggin' crackhead.
You don't pull the dash, instead, pull the passenger seat.
Pull the hush panel, drop the ECM and the door control module.
Remove the support bar going from the door pillar to the dash.
Use a 7mm to take the cover off the heater box.
Pull the cover, unbolt the core, re-install.
Drink beer and laugh at webpage showing guys pulling dash.
[Modified by Fastguy, 8:17 PM 4/6/2003]
Now, believe me, it's not as easy as it sounds. I had to remove the top dash pad to get the screws to remove the (what I call) the passenger impact pad. Once that was out of the way, it was still not an easy task, but alot better then removing the whole dash, as some say you have to. The first thing that you really have to do is remove the Passenger seat.
Anyway, good luck. This is a job I don't wish on anyone.
But,,,,,,, I do agree with the "having a beer" part.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 892
Likes: 1
From: New Smyrna Beach Florida
I thought my 89 was a piece of cake, (after I finished it...lol)The hardest part is the unknown. Take your time. For 89 & earlier, all done from under. Remove pass seat & get small pillow for neck & head.
there are earlier posts w/pics. Worked for me. Don't let this 63 yr old show you guys up!!!
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
I'm still in the process of changing out my heater core. I've gotten to the point of having the new one in and the cover back on. But, due to alot of Christmas stuff, that is where I had to stop. I'll continue working on it after Christmas.
I was doing mine according to the post of "Fastguy" and some others. If it helps, here is a "copy and paste" of Fastguy's post.
Heater core done, it was pretty easy.
Whoever wrote that huge "pull the dash out" article was a friggin' crackhead.
You don't pull the dash, instead, pull the passenger seat.
Pull the hush panel, drop the ECM and the door control module.
Remove the support bar going from the door pillar to the dash.
Use a 7mm to take the cover off the heater box.
Pull the cover, unbolt the core, re-install.
Drink beer and laugh at webpage showing guys pulling dash.
[Modified by Fastguy, 8:17 PM 4/6/2003]
Now, believe me, it's not as easy as it sounds. I had to remove the top dash pad to get the screws to remove the (what I call) the passenger impact pad. Once that was out of the way, it was still not an easy task, but alot better then removing the whole dash, as some say you have to. The first thing that you really have to do is remove the Passenger seat.
Anyway, good luck. This is a job I don't wish on anyone.
But,,,,,,, I do agree with the "having a beer" part.
I was doing mine according to the post of "Fastguy" and some others. If it helps, here is a "copy and paste" of Fastguy's post.
Heater core done, it was pretty easy.
Whoever wrote that huge "pull the dash out" article was a friggin' crackhead.
You don't pull the dash, instead, pull the passenger seat.
Pull the hush panel, drop the ECM and the door control module.
Remove the support bar going from the door pillar to the dash.
Use a 7mm to take the cover off the heater box.
Pull the cover, unbolt the core, re-install.
Drink beer and laugh at webpage showing guys pulling dash.
[Modified by Fastguy, 8:17 PM 4/6/2003]
Now, believe me, it's not as easy as it sounds. I had to remove the top dash pad to get the screws to remove the (what I call) the passenger impact pad. Once that was out of the way, it was still not an easy task, but alot better then removing the whole dash, as some say you have to. The first thing that you really have to do is remove the Passenger seat.
Anyway, good luck. This is a job I don't wish on anyone.
But,,,,,,, I do agree with the "having a beer" part.
100%. This is the procedure I used to swap out the heater core on my '85. Had the job done in two nights after work. Removing the passenger seat is the key to making this job a lot easier.
