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

Heater Core Replacement

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Old Aug 31, 2016 | 03:32 PM
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Default Heater Core Replacement

Hey are there any tricks to getting the heater core out of an 86 Corvette? Service info is terrible for this car. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
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Old Aug 31, 2016 | 03:43 PM
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You will be in pain and pissed off. Can you live with just bypassing it?
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Old Aug 31, 2016 | 03:45 PM
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Originally Posted by antfarmer2
You will be in pain and pissed off. Can you live with just bypassing it?
Probably not as bad as a 5th gen Camaro where you need to pull the windshield.
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Old Aug 31, 2016 | 07:03 PM
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I did one on a 90 and had to pull the dash. I need to change a control module on top of the heater box and some said it could be done with out pulling the dash but I couldn't . changed the core at the same time.
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Old Aug 31, 2016 | 07:14 PM
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Here are 2 pictures of the heater core, front and back.
Attached Images   
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Old Aug 31, 2016 | 09:36 PM
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I believe that when these cars were built, they had the heater core hanging on a hook and built the car around it.
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Old Aug 31, 2016 | 10:19 PM
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Do some searching. There's been a couple of very good write-ups on it.
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Old Sep 1, 2016 | 12:00 AM
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This an excellent description of what to do, with plenty of pictures:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1569252027

Another take on this project:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1543645426

Personally I thought it was easiest to remove the dash pad. I've done this job twice...
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Old Sep 1, 2016 | 06:10 AM
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I think the engineers that designed the dash and parts accessibility should all be sent to Gitmo for water boarding.... They are evil people and bet they chuckled when done wanting to film the frustration of someone working on it. I can picture them sitting in a recliner with a cold beer and peanuts roaring in laughter!
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Old Sep 1, 2016 | 12:42 PM
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Default heater core

I changed my 1985's heater core years ago. Just took my time and was not in a hurry to get it done. I did remove the top dash panel. Used my 1985's GM service manual for removal information.
When I drain my anti-freeze I remove the engine's knock sensor and having the cooling option remove the drivers side engine hose above the oil filter to get a complete drain.
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Old Sep 17, 2016 | 04:34 PM
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Got it out today. Wasn't hard at all. The info here was very helpful. Thank you!
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Old Sep 18, 2016 | 09:28 AM
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Originally Posted by CRTD
Got it out today. Wasn't hard at all. The info here was very helpful. Thank you!

i did my 87 this past spring. other than adding maybe a bit of light, i cant figure oit what removing the dash pad would have done.

maybe the &7 is diferent because there was a tight almost javket covering and you couldnt access or see the heater box or anything because this jacket thing covered it.

i do have a thread here where i showed what i did to a cheap socket i *think* it was a 13. it was used on the top of the cross brace to put it back together. it was too tight to use a full length socket and making it shorter worked great and it was a simple job.
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