Daleford

As the title line asks.....
Mechanically minded guy here asking how long to take out and replace a 93 coupe heater core. I have read a couple how to articles that I found on this forum but I don't think they mentioned the time involved factor. Thanks in advance.

85WHITEZ51

Not sure about the 93 but it took me about 7-8 hours in my 85. Biggest PITA but better than spending the money to have someone else do it.

larry93lt1

Never what you have planned.

I've replaced the heater core in my '93 and just finished in my '92, both coupes. '93 took forever due to last winter's weather. I didn't finish 'till the spring thaw. The '92 was done, out and back in, in about 10 hours.

I'd be much happier about the '92's if the damn engine would start though, obviously I've missed re-connecting something.

JrRifleCoach

Two six packs and one hangover from laying on your neck for 12 hours.

turbotim23

I also have a 93 that needs a heater core. I have never got a answer if you could do the fast guy way of replacing a heater core on a 93. Anyone?

engle1147

My heater core has was bypassed for about 2 or so years with a wacky assortment of elbows and hose clamps. I froze my a$$ off last winter and swore I'd change the thing out before it got cold again. I just changed mine ('89) over the weekend ~10 hours going at an super easy pace, taking lots of breaks and inventing new curse words. Oh what fun those upper 2 bolts/screws were! It's not hard just takes a bunch of time.


Step 1: pull the passenger seat out of the car.
Step 2: lay on your back where the seat once was and start pulling hardware, covers and braces for the next 8 hours.
Step 3: reassemble

V's Vette

I agree. Did the HC in my '89 a couple of months ago and decided to take the dash pad off when I was most of the way done with the Fastguy method (there are some nasty screws way up top that I couldn't get to). Once the dash pad was off I saw that going the "traditional route" from the top was much worse than coming up from the bottom, and that is REALLY A PITA!!! I hated doing the job, but I'm a happy camper now that it's done. saved at least $700 diy.

samsonb

It's a good idea after you connect the lines to run it to temp to check for any leaks before you put everything back together. Some people have had new heater cores leak.

larry93lt1

If that happened to me I'd go "Postal" at the parts counter.

Daleford

Bringing this up again for the following reason. It seems all the links I find here about replacing the heater core are for a 84-89. Mine is a 93 and I understand there are some differences. Is there a link to an actual 90 up?

corvette95

90 heater core is the hardest one, its a little different than the rest, no shortcuts, Gordon Killebrew showed me the "fastway" a few times as I took all of his schools. I have never had to do it but think I could in three hours, but it had to be shown to me, cant really type it out, no that doesn't help, but maybe someone near you knows the shortcuts. It involves removing one screw by feel and a swivel extension socket. I actually bought a used air box complete off ebay to practice.

Daleford

Do you mean just the 90 is the hardest one, or did you mean 90 and up? THANKS

corvette95

No, there is something One Off on ONLY the 90 that prevents any shortcuts, no harder than the rest using book time, just no shortcuts.

corvette95

Gorden Killebrew now has a website for help like this, its a PAY SITE, now that he doesnt do his schools anymore but its so well worth it, I can vouch 100%!
https://events.nelix.com/corvettetro...eshooting.aspx

toptechx6

For what it is worth, Alldata shows a labor time of 5.5 hours with a note that the time does not include refrigerant recovery or recharge. Try this link to get an estimate based on your location too.

http://repairpal.com/

Flame Red

There would be no way in hell I would attempt the HC R&R myself after reading all the horrors involved. I would sell the car first! OK, maybe bypass the core first.

I still got to think that there is some relatively new hi tech compound that could be adapted to seal the old core after the hoses are removed. You know, detach the old hoses and then attach some kind of pressurized bottle with adapter that would feed the chemical into the core from the outside and permaently mend the leaks with some kind of indestructable coating. Not like Bars Leak.

If I were smarter I would find it and sell a kit to seal them and make a mint.

tpi 421 vette

Heater core jobs can be some of the worst out there. When book time gets close to 6 hours, it's a UGLY job. I think I would rather pull an engine!

Charleston2012

If there is a shorter way to do it, it would be worth the time to write it imho. If Gordon K really has a shortcut, it needs to be told.