Replacing heater core in a '92 - play by play for your entertainment
#21
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Got the snap ring off, got the dash pad off, and a few more items.
And here is where "project creep" rears its head. I'm looking at the radio, which only sort of works. And I'm looking at the cassette player and thinking I really doubt cassettes are going to make a come-back any time soon. So as long as I have it this far apart, maybe it's time for an aftermarket music device of some sorts.
Question - Where do you buy replacements for the little foam gaskets that go around the various air outlets etc? After 25 years the stuff turns to dust when you handle it.
And here is where "project creep" rears its head. I'm looking at the radio, which only sort of works. And I'm looking at the cassette player and thinking I really doubt cassettes are going to make a come-back any time soon. So as long as I have it this far apart, maybe it's time for an aftermarket music device of some sorts.
Question - Where do you buy replacements for the little foam gaskets that go around the various air outlets etc? After 25 years the stuff turns to dust when you handle it.
#22
Melting Slicks
Looks like your making some real progress. We have an upholstery supply shop here and they have all kinds of foam. Then I can custom cut. Another possibility is the weatherstrip section at Lowes or Home Depot.
#23
Zen Vet Master Level VII
They will have roles of foam insulation of various thickness with double side tape already attached.
I bought a little thicker than I needed as I figured it would squish a bit. It did.
(Project creep. I call it "Might as well"... As long as it is apart, I Might as well do....)
#24
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Home Depot is about a twice-a-week stop. I'll check out their inventory.
"Might as well" sums it up nicely!
"Might as well" sums it up nicely!
#25
for observers with early c4's
just an FYI for the early C4 owners out there that have the breadbox. The job is much easier on our cars.
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#28
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St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Well, I finally get some time and decent weather to work on the car, and I run into a puzzlement.
In the FSM, Page 1B-30, Step 6 says (remove or disconnect) "right hand knee bolster brace".
Step 16 has you removing defroster duct etc from knee bolster brace
Step 17 tells you to remove the passenger knee bolster brace
OK, what IS that?
Figure 25 on page 8C-23 shows knee bolster inner bracket RH, knee bolster inner bracket brace RH, and some similar things. But nothing with that name. And if you removed it in step 6, it would already be gone so I guess you disconnected it in step 6? From what?
Is the passenger knee bolster brace the plastic part running crosswise in the pic below? And are those 5 pop rivets at left supposed to be there or is that something somebody did just to make my life interesting?
Thanks!
In the FSM, Page 1B-30, Step 6 says (remove or disconnect) "right hand knee bolster brace".
Step 16 has you removing defroster duct etc from knee bolster brace
Step 17 tells you to remove the passenger knee bolster brace
OK, what IS that?
Figure 25 on page 8C-23 shows knee bolster inner bracket RH, knee bolster inner bracket brace RH, and some similar things. But nothing with that name. And if you removed it in step 6, it would already be gone so I guess you disconnected it in step 6? From what?
Is the passenger knee bolster brace the plastic part running crosswise in the pic below? And are those 5 pop rivets at left supposed to be there or is that something somebody did just to make my life interesting?
Thanks!
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EDIT - Disregard, the white clips do not have to be removed.
(But I'll leave this posted so the next guy won't feel foolish like I do!
Removing the relays from the bracket in the pic below. Do those white plastic retainers just pry down, or do they have to be manipulated in some other fashion? It appears they just come out but some gentle prying with a small screwdriver did not make it happen and I don't want to start snapping plastic.
(But I'll leave this posted so the next guy won't feel foolish like I do!
Removing the relays from the bracket in the pic below. Do those white plastic retainers just pry down, or do they have to be manipulated in some other fashion? It appears they just come out but some gentle prying with a small screwdriver did not make it happen and I don't want to start snapping plastic.
Last edited by Railroadman; 04-28-2017 at 10:22 PM.
#30
Melting Slicks
If by white clips you mean what I drew an arrow to don't touch them. there holding the wires in. There are releases on the back side and the relays and relay sockets come off together. You have to feel around for them.
#31
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Thanks Brian - Yes, I did realize they don't have to come out but figured I'd leave the post up for info. Got the relays unhooked now.
#32
Melting Slicks
Thanks for documenting! Having seen the other side of the firewall, why in the heck they could the have not made the Heater core removable frome the HVAC box side is beyond me. The bastards that design these things should have to work on them! I'm putting a LS in a 93. Pulling the HVAC box and the junk to get to it way easier then fighting all that dash crap. Plus you don't have to stand on your head to do it.
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Thanks for documenting! Having seen the other side of the firewall, why in the heck they could the have not made the Heater core removable frome the HVAC box side is beyond me. The bastards that design these things should have to work on them! I'm putting a LS in a 93. Pulling the HVAC box and the junk to get to it way easier then fighting all that dash crap. Plus you don't have to stand on your head to do it.
#36
Melting Slicks
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Not much progress lately - the Vette sits outside ('66 truck restoration project takes up the garage) and it's been raining a lot. And when it IS clear, the grass is growing like crazy so mowing takes up time.
I DO have one thing which might help someone. Was taking out the "Knee bolster outer bracket" - part #9 on figure 25. Had 7 bolts out and was wondering just how in blue blazes I would ever get the last one back in when the time comes. Low and behold, that last one only has to be loosened, not removed. See the pic below, it's the upper left. If that little detail is mentioned in the FSM, I missed it.
I DO have one thing which might help someone. Was taking out the "Knee bolster outer bracket" - part #9 on figure 25. Had 7 bolts out and was wondering just how in blue blazes I would ever get the last one back in when the time comes. Low and behold, that last one only has to be loosened, not removed. See the pic below, it's the upper left. If that little detail is mentioned in the FSM, I missed it.
#38
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After rain, cold, rain, cold, lawn mowing and various other delays, I spent some time on the Vette tonight. The cold and rain would not be a problem if it was in the garage obviously. But I WILL say the project would move along quicker if I had the time and place to stay with it instead of getting shut down for a week or two at a time.
I am frustrated by the stuff the FSM leaves you to figure out for yourself. And I have mentioned the lack of clarity in naming and identifying some of the parts. I fear I may be removing stuff I don't need to, but it seems to make more room. For example, it only speaks of removing the wire harness and wire harness retainer from the radio receiver. I took the whole receiver out.
If I am right, below is the Multi-Use Relay Bracket, item 3 of figure 25. Absolute total PITA to remove, which you are told to do in step #14 and AGAIN in step 19. HUH?
It has many wire harnesses connected to it with push-through buttons holding them below the radio receiver and also on the rear of the bracket it seems. Can someone who has done this confirm I'm on the right path here?
On the positive side I can see 3 of the screws holing the heater core halfs together - I'm not ready to remove them yet but it's encouraging to see the destination.
I am frustrated by the stuff the FSM leaves you to figure out for yourself. And I have mentioned the lack of clarity in naming and identifying some of the parts. I fear I may be removing stuff I don't need to, but it seems to make more room. For example, it only speaks of removing the wire harness and wire harness retainer from the radio receiver. I took the whole receiver out.
If I am right, below is the Multi-Use Relay Bracket, item 3 of figure 25. Absolute total PITA to remove, which you are told to do in step #14 and AGAIN in step 19. HUH?
It has many wire harnesses connected to it with push-through buttons holding them below the radio receiver and also on the rear of the bracket it seems. Can someone who has done this confirm I'm on the right path here?
On the positive side I can see 3 of the screws holing the heater core halfs together - I'm not ready to remove them yet but it's encouraging to see the destination.
#39
Since you have this thing torn apart, can you take a picture for me?
I was wondering what the top of the dash looks like, behind the instrument cluster with the dash pad removed.
I was wondering what the top of the dash looks like, behind the instrument cluster with the dash pad removed.
#40
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I am frustrated by the stuff the FSM leaves you to figure out for yourself. And I have mentioned the lack of clarity in naming and identifying some of the parts. I fear I may be removing stuff I don't need to, but it seems to make more room. For example, it only speaks of removing the wire harness and wire harness retainer from the radio receiver. I took the whole receiver out.