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OK, so I'm getting up the ambition to replace the heater core in my 86, I'm in Fla and have never really needed heat until this year..bummer. Anyone have suggestions on what kind to buy, I only want to do this once. TIA, Rich
don't know where you are in florida, but i just dropped of my sons 85 at a place in st. pete called auto xtc. they are supposed to be the local corvette specialists. anyway, they quoted me $250 labor (worst case) to replace the core (i have the heater core). for $250, i won't open the tool box. i should get the car back sometime today, and i'll post the results. this place was recommended to me by another forum member last year.
don't know where you are in florida, but i just dropped of my sons 85 at a place in st. pete called auto xtc. they are supposed to be the local corvette specialists. anyway, they quoted me $250 labor (worst case) to replace the core (i have the heater core). for $250, i won't open the tool box. i should get the car back sometime today, and i'll post the results. this place was recommended to me by another forum member last year.
Yeah, I'm only about an hour away from them and I have heard the name mentioned a couple of times. Let us know how the job turns out it might be an option if I get lazy..Thanks for the tip
don't know where you are in florida, but i just dropped of my sons 85 at a place in st. pete called auto xtc. they are supposed to be the local corvette specialists. anyway, they quoted me $250 labor (worst case) to replace the core (i have the heater core). for $250, i won't open the tool box. i should get the car back sometime today, and i'll post the results. this place was recommended to me by another forum member last year.
Definitly let us know how that works out I am in Tampa, and will be moving back to NY in May. I bypassed my core, If I can get it fixed for $250 or less thats a done deal for me.
just got back from auto xtc on the heater core replacement on my son's 85. the job was outstanding!!! John Wilson, the resident corvette wrenchbender, completed the job in - are you ready for this - (drumroll please) - 4 FRICKIN' HOURS, and that wasn't the fastguy method - dash pad came out. their labor rate is $50/hour, so do the math -- $200 labor!!! these guys are super. not only did they do an outstanding job on the heater core, they did some minor repairs, and didn't charge me a nickle - John said, i was there, it needed fixed, and i just went ahead and repaired it! UN-FRICKIN'-BELIEVEABLE!!! these guys went out of their way to do a super job. i spent more time on the road than they took to complete the job. John is a corvette guy himself, and presently owns a nassau blue C5 fixed roof coupe. i would highly recommend this outfit to anyone that wants quality work at a very reasonable rate. so, if you're in the tampa/st.pete/clearwater/bradenton/sarasota, florida area,
contact: john wilson
whisper motorsports/auto xtc
4400 118th ave n. suite 305
clearwater, fl 33762
just got back from auto xtc on the heater core replacement on my son's 85. the job was outstanding!!! John Wilson, the resident corvette wrenchbender, completed the job in - are you ready for this - (drumroll please) - 4 FRICKIN' HOURS, and that wasn't the fastguy method - dash pad came out. their labor rate is $50/hour, so do the math -- $200 labor!!! these guys are super. not only did they do an outstanding job on the heater core, they did some minor repairs, and didn't charge me a nickle - John said, i was there, it needed fixed, and i just went ahead and repaired it! UN-FRICKIN'-BELIEVEABLE!!! these guys went out of their way to do a super job. i spent more time on the road than they took to complete the job. John is a corvette guy himself, and presently owns a nassau blue C5 fixed roof coupe. i would highly recommend this outfit to anyone that wants quality work at a very reasonable rate. so, if you're in the tampa/st.pete/clearwater/bradenton/sarasota, florida area,
contact: john wilson
whisper motorsports/auto xtc
4400 118th ave n. suite 305
clearwater, fl 33762
phone - 727-573-1292
Isn't the dash pad just held in with 4 screws? I remember being told the dash pad can be pulled in 5 minutes.
Just replaced mine a few days ago, its definatly not simple, on an 85 anyway the dash isnt the hard part its getting the crash pad and under pad on the passenger side out....The windshield makes it a pain. but yes you can pull the dash pad its self out in 5 mins or less.
Isn't the dash pad just held in with 4 screws? I remember being told the dash pad can be pulled in 5 minutes.
Is the 84 faster than the 94 type cars to get the pad off. I can tell you that all the center stuff (cover, shifter, radio bezel) side and passenger stuff + has to come off to get to those screws. It takes a lot longer to get to the screws than get the pad off on my car.
But I have to get it to them for getting it done so fast regardless.
Is the 84 faster than the 94 type cars to get the pad off. I can tell you that all the center stuff (cover, shifter, radio bezel) side and passenger stuff + has to come off to get to those screws. It takes a lot longer to get to the screws than get the pad off on my car.
But I have to get it to them for getting it done so fast regardless.
Someone mentioned in a thread somewhere what to do to pull the pad on an 84-89. I don't remember what thread. But I seem to remember all you have to do is pull the center vent trim. Then remove a few screws and the dash pulls off. A 5 minuted job. That does make it easy if you want to clean the base of the windshield.
Though, you don't need to pull the dash pad to change a heater core on an 84-89. But from what I've read 84-89 is the easiest to change a heater core on.
Does anyone know the GM part number for the OEM core?
Here's the OEM part number: 52479882
AC Delco number: 1560039
Don't know if the current cores are made to the same quality as the original. But it looks like you can use that part number to get an AC Delco. I'm not sure who made the OEM Heater Core, but I've seen it mentioned that Harrison made it.
I say it would be best to search around to see what brand others have used and that have held up.
Here's the OEM part number: 52479882
AC Delco number: 1560039
Don't know if the current cores are made to the same quality as the original. But it looks like you can use that part number to get an AC Delco. I'm not sure who made the OEM Heater Core, but I've seen it mentioned that Harrison made it.
I say it would be best to search around to see what brand others have used and that have held up.
i just changed one on an 89 a few months ago and i didn't have to remove any dash pieces other than the bread box and i really didn't need to remove that except it gave a place to shine a light. All the work was done on my back from passenger floor board and i am a 6 footer.
It wasn't hard just tedious and alot of feeling around.
just got back from auto xtc on the heater core replacement on my son's 85. the job was outstanding!!! John Wilson, the resident corvette wrenchbender, completed the job in - are you ready for this - (drumroll please) - 4 FRICKIN' HOURS, and that wasn't the fastguy method - dash pad came out. their labor rate is $50/hour, so do the math -- $200 labor!!! these guys are super. not only did they do an outstanding job on the heater core, they did some minor repairs, and didn't charge me a nickle - John said, i was there, it needed fixed, and i just went ahead and repaired it! UN-FRICKIN'-BELIEVEABLE!!! these guys went out of their way to do a super job. i spent more time on the road than they took to complete the job. John is a corvette guy himself, and presently owns a nassau blue C5 fixed roof coupe. i would highly recommend this outfit to anyone that wants quality work at a very reasonable rate. so, if you're in the tampa/st.pete/clearwater/bradenton/sarasota, florida area,
contact: john wilson
whisper motorsports/auto xtc
4400 118th ave n. suite 305
clearwater, fl 33762
phone - 727-573-1292
that is great good work can be found at good prices by quality people. I once posted the great price I got on some quality work and some creap hear broke my a%% told me I was a lier and said I was trying to drum up work for my brother-inlaw who he was not. Corvette TAX is bull sh#t for people dumb enough to pay it. $250 I would not open the hood at that price.
Last edited by joesgulfstream; Mar 11, 2010 at 05:53 PM.
Reason: spelling