C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Heater core question

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Old Apr 4, 2013 | 11:51 PM
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Default Heater core question

I need to replace the heater core in my 92 and I know it's a pain. My question is, do you have to remove a large portion of the dash to do it? I've seen threads where people with 90+ C4's say they just took the under side of the passenger side dash apart and took out the passenger seat. From some one who has done it on a later C4 is this correct? I've always been under the impression I had to pull the passenger seat, dash pad, radio, then all kinds of passenger side dash parts. Thanks for you time.
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Old Apr 6, 2013 | 12:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Brian Blum
I need to replace the heater core in my 92 and I know it's a pain. My question is, do you have to remove a large portion of the dash to do it? I've seen threads where people with 90+ C4's say they just took the under side of the passenger side dash apart and took out the passenger seat. From some one who has done it on a later C4 is this correct? I've always been under the impression I had to pull the passenger seat, dash pad, radio, then all kinds of passenger side dash parts. Thanks for you time.
Anyone....
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Old Apr 6, 2013 | 12:19 PM
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All kinds of rip your car to shred posts on the internet to replace your heater core then i found this thread and stored it for when mine eventually takes a crap. I store tons of links to threads on DIY fixes for future reference.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...etty-easy.html
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Old Apr 6, 2013 | 05:59 PM
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sorry man but I am pretty sure you have to take it all out. I did my 96 and it sucked but it wasnt the nightmare it's made out to be and I am not much of a mechanic. The hardest part is keeping track of where everything goes so that you can get it back together rattle free. I think the earlier vettes could be done with removing the dash. take lots of pics before taking anything apart. the tricky part is contorting your body under there to line up the new core lines. There are a couple great threads that I followed on here just do a search. good luck with it. dont panic, drink beer
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Old Apr 6, 2013 | 07:54 PM
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From: Bowling Green KY
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Originally Posted by LoneStarV
All kinds of rip your car to shred posts on the internet to replace your heater core then i found this thread and stored it for when mine eventually takes a crap. I store tons of links to threads on DIY fixes for future reference.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...etty-easy.html
See this is the thread that has me asking my question. Its says the fast guy methood wont work on later C4s but then some people say it will. I want to know if anyone with a newer C4 has personally done it this way.
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Old Apr 18, 2013 | 12:59 PM
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I just did mine... I have a 91 coupe.

I removed the seat to give operating room. 10 minutes or so.
I removed the dash pad.... 5 minutes tops, just unscrew at the vents and pull, done.
I removed the hush panel...2 minutes tops.

Under the dash was a cross brace holding some electrical components. I removed that brace, and gained access to the heater box.
I removed the screws from around the heater box cover, and the cover out.
This exposed the heater core, which took another 15 minutes or so to change out.

After that, the process is in reverse to reassemble.... It is NOT that big of a deal, and it took one afternoon start to finish.

Here is the risk..... DO NOT FORCE THE BLEND DOOR.... The actuator on the top is tough to change as you have to drop the rest of the heater box by unbolting under the hood.
At 22 years old the plastic actuator is brittle, and breaks easily, so clean the heater gently, or not at all, perhaps just rinse it out...

Just my experience here, I'm no expert...
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Old Apr 19, 2013 | 01:49 AM
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This is what mine looked like when I did it in my '86. I drove it to work to make sure everything was OK and took this picture there.

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Old Apr 19, 2013 | 10:50 AM
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When I did an '85 I didn't take any of that dash stuff apart except the dash pad. I took off the dash pad, and the kick panel, and then went for the core.
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Originally Posted by Flyarmyguns
I just did mine... I have a 91 coupe.

I removed the seat to give operating room. 10 minutes or so.
I removed the dash pad.... 5 minutes tops, just unscrew at the vents and pull, done.
I removed the hush panel...2 minutes tops.

Under the dash was a cross brace holding some electrical components. I removed that brace, and gained access to the heater box.
I removed the screws from around the heater box cover, and the cover out.
This exposed the heater core, which took another 15 minutes or so to change out.

After that, the process is in reverse to reassemble.... It is NOT that big of a deal, and it took one afternoon start to finish.

Here is the risk..... DO NOT FORCE THE BLEND DOOR.... The actuator on the top is tough to change as you have to drop the rest of the heater box by unbolting under the hood.
At 22 years old the plastic actuator is brittle, and breaks easily, so clean the heater gently, or not at all, perhaps just rinse it out...

Just my experience here, I'm no expert...
Good tips
Reply

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