Heater Core? How Hard to Replace?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: Fort Worth Texas
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Heater Core? How Hard to Replace?
In my '90 this morning, I had a mist coming from my vents as I was running the a/c.... smells faint like anti-freeze. I'm guessing I have a heater core leak, what do you think?
How hard to replace this?
How hard to replace this?
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,584
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From: Bartlett Illinois
Re: Heater Core? How Hard to Replace? (Marcho Polo)
it would have been easier in your old 85...
If you follow the steps in you Helms manual it should not be too bad. I would set a day at least aside for the work. I do know that your dash pad will have to come out along with the relay bracket on the Passenger side.
If you follow the steps in you Helms manual it should not be too bad. I would set a day at least aside for the work. I do know that your dash pad will have to come out along with the relay bracket on the Passenger side.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 190
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Re: Heater Core? How Hard to Replace? (-=Jeff=-)
That's your problem. It was a total pain in my '85. I had to disassemble the whole dash. A week after I did it Vette magazine had an article entitled "Don't Try This At Home" or something like that. Guess what it was about? I think they moved the core on later C4's but not sure when.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,699
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From: The Black Hole LA
Re: Heater Core? How Hard to Replace? (Marcho Polo)
I have heard and read that this is a pita. From what i can tell plan on spending atleast a day for removal and a day for install. I also read the article in Vette Magazine and the trained mech took something like 6 hours (I think) just to remove the old one. Good luck.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 12,584
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From: Bartlett Illinois
Re: Heater Core? How Hard to Replace? (hz900)
I have heard and read that this is a pita. From what i can tell plan on spending atleast a day for removal and a day for install. I also read the article in Vette Magazine and the trained mech took something like 6 hours (I think) just to remove the old one. Good luck.
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Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Hattiesburg MS
Re: Heater Core? How Hard to Replace? (Marcho Polo)
I got started on mine on a Saturday and did not finish that day. Had most of the dash apart and was attempting to take the cover off. Went out Sunday to work on it and it was a perfect day for some top off cruising, and I finally got p***ed off and put the dash back together with no new heater core. I guess I will have to try to tackle it again some day but for now it is bypassed.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,348
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From: STL Mo
Re: Heater Core? How Hard to Replace? (mayberry)
Man, I been putting mine off forever I need to do it but its going to be a PIA Ill get around to it sometime I guess bought the heater core like a year ago :yesnod: :p:
Race Director
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: Bartlett Illinois
Re: Heater Core? How Hard to Replace? (JonM)
I think if you look ...in 1990 the General changed the heater core and it is removable from the engine compartment. You may be in luck.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: Fort Worth Texas
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Re: Heater Core? How Hard to Replace? (-=Jeff=-)
you all aren't giving me a warm fuzzy feeling about this!
Yeah, I think it was '94 they changed it, because there were also some other modifications to the heater box in '94 that made accessability easier for the door motor, according to Gordon Killebrew.
I guess for now I'll bypass the heater core since the temps stay in the 90's through October around here!
I'll put this down as a nice winter project.
Yeah, I think it was '94 they changed it, because there were also some other modifications to the heater box in '94 that made accessability easier for the door motor, according to Gordon Killebrew.
I guess for now I'll bypass the heater core since the temps stay in the 90's through October around here!
I'll put this down as a nice winter project.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,388
Likes: 1
From: X
Re: Heater Core? How Hard to Replace? (Marcho Polo)
I have the artical mentioned above if you want to see it.
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/jonm//c4heater01.jpg
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/jonm//c4heater02.jpg
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/jonm//c4heater03.jpg
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/jonm//c4heater04.jpg
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/jonm//c4heater01.jpg
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/jonm//c4heater02.jpg
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/jonm//c4heater03.jpg
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/jonm//c4heater04.jpg
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 9,647
Likes: 1,668
From: Fort Worth Texas
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Re: Heater Core? How Hard to Replace? (JonM)
Right Click.... Save As!
Thanks Jon! :D
Thanks Jon! :D
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
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From: Dallas TX
Re: Heater Core? How Hard to Replace? (Marcho Polo)
I guess for now I'll bypass the heater core since the temps stay in the 90's through October around here!
I'll put this down as a nice winter project.
I'll put this down as a nice winter project.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 3,620
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From: Hillsboro OR
Re: Heater Core? How Hard to Replace? (Marcho Polo)
Plan on it taking three days. That way you won't feel rushed and be pleased you got it done sooner.
I finally gave up trying to be agreesive on doing my car stuff when I did this last engine redo. It was much easier not trying to rush.
Be sure to check the new heater core for leaks BEFORE you install it. My friend got one for a 69 GTO and found out it leaked AFTER he installed it. Needless to say he was :mad.
I have changed them on a 78 TA , 76 Bonneville and a 73 Mustang. Scorp is right, the car is built around it.
I finally gave up trying to be agreesive on doing my car stuff when I did this last engine redo. It was much easier not trying to rush.
Be sure to check the new heater core for leaks BEFORE you install it. My friend got one for a 69 GTO and found out it leaked AFTER he installed it. Needless to say he was :mad.
I have changed them on a 78 TA , 76 Bonneville and a 73 Mustang. Scorp is right, the car is built around it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 1,206
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From: USA USA
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Heater Core? How Hard to Replace? (Marcho Polo)
I did mine 2 years ago. IT SUCKED!!!!!!!! PERIOD!!!!!!!
Your dash is diff.so i am not sure,but my whole dash was everywhere
BUT the car. I agree w/ Scorp,car built around the heater core!!
Take your time ,you just did your heads and intake ,RIGHT????
Then you can handle this. Just remember its plastic.
Plan on starting on a Fri. nite and finish on Sun. I cleaned out my ductwork
and vents while i was there,oh and i pulled the pass. seat as well.
Matt
Your dash is diff.so i am not sure,but my whole dash was everywhere
BUT the car. I agree w/ Scorp,car built around the heater core!!
Take your time ,you just did your heads and intake ,RIGHT????
Then you can handle this. Just remember its plastic.
Plan on starting on a Fri. nite and finish on Sun. I cleaned out my ductwork
and vents while i was there,oh and i pulled the pass. seat as well.
Matt
