Anyone ever have to replace the heater core?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Lost in the mountains of TN
Anyone ever have to replace the heater core?
I am smelling a hint of coolant through my vents, and the windshield fogs on the inside when I shut the car down. How much of a PITA is the job going to be if I have to replce the heater core? And can it be bypassed like on typical SBCs? Looks like it can be, but I would like to hear from anyone who has had to do it before I go cutting hoses.
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Re: Anyone ever have to replace the heater core? (BiZ)
I am smelling a hint of coolant through my vents, and the windshield fogs on the inside when I shut the car down. How much of a PITA is the job going to be if I have to replce the heater core? And can it be bypassed like on typical SBCs? Looks like it can be, but I would like to hear from anyone who has had to do it before I go cutting hoses.
Yes, I believe it can be by passed, good choice if you don't need the heater :D
:seeya :steering:
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Granite City Illinois
Re: Anyone ever have to replace the heater core? (BiZ)
BiZ
I just put Rob's thread "to the top" explaining his heater core replacement.
Good picture's and great responses by CF members.
Good Luck,
Mark
I just put Rob's thread "to the top" explaining his heater core replacement.
Good picture's and great responses by CF members.
Good Luck,
Mark
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From: Fear causes hesitaiton...and hesitation will cause your worst fears to come true. Houston TX
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Re: Anyone ever have to replace the heater core? (vader86)
I've been working on my 91 about a week a couple hours here and there. I've learned, I needed to take pics as it was coming apart and it would have been lots easier. The dash-pad has to come out on our model year. The guys w/ flat dashes don't seem to have to. It can be bypassed in the engine bay to put it off. Have a magnet handy, I didn't know there were so many voids in a corvette. Taking the seat out is a huge help. It's the hardest job I've done on the car and I've stripped the motor down to a long block while the engine was still in the car. :crazy:
You can see my threads to get a feel for how it's gone for me.
You can see my threads to get a feel for how it's gone for me.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Lost in the mountains of TN
Re: Anyone ever have to replace the heater core? (vader86)
It aint fun, you might want to just bypass it.
And it just so happens I am supposed to go north for vacation this week. And I know I am going to need the heater.
Someone mentioned in another thread about differences in the pre 90 interior. Is it more difficult to do in either of the styles or are they both a PITA?
Looks like I may have to have this one taken care of by someone else.
[Modified by BiZ, 10:51 PM 11/16/2003]
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Re: Anyone ever have to replace the heater core? (BiZ)
PITA?? naw :D
they only built the entire car around the heater core, thas all
they only built the entire car around the heater core, thas all
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Granite City Illinois
Re: Anyone ever have to replace the heater core? (vader86)
Vader,
I agree, I installed a by-pass in May after my new blue carpet was soaked; I can imagine what all that condensation would do to everything that can rust inside the cockpit.
It does get cold in Illinois and I do want to join in the "sunny day" cruises.
So now mine is fixed; if I lived in Florida mine would still have the heater by-pass.
Mark
I agree, I installed a by-pass in May after my new blue carpet was soaked; I can imagine what all that condensation would do to everything that can rust inside the cockpit.
It does get cold in Illinois and I do want to join in the "sunny day" cruises.
So now mine is fixed; if I lived in Florida mine would still have the heater by-pass.
Mark
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Granite City Illinois
Re: Anyone ever have to replace the heater core? (BiZ)
BiZ,
I just put the HotStyle post "to the top". This one will help also. Quick-guy gives some tips not found in any of the repair manuals I have.
Good Luck--I would install the by-pass (about #3.00 ASAP) untill you are ready to do the job.
Mark
I just put the HotStyle post "to the top". This one will help also. Quick-guy gives some tips not found in any of the repair manuals I have.
Good Luck--I would install the by-pass (about #3.00 ASAP) untill you are ready to do the job.
Mark
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 7,760
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From: Lost in the mountains of TN
Re: Anyone ever have to replace the heater core? (Mark-44)
BiZ,
I just put the HotStyle post "to the top". This one will help also. Quick-guy gives some tips not found in any of the repair manuals I have.
Good Luck--I would install the by-pass (about #3.00 ASAP) untill you are ready to do the job.
Mark
I just put the HotStyle post "to the top". This one will help also. Quick-guy gives some tips not found in any of the repair manuals I have.
Good Luck--I would install the by-pass (about #3.00 ASAP) untill you are ready to do the job.
Mark
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/jonm//c4heater01.jpg
It says in that article that in 1990 the General revised the dash and firewall so that the heater core comes out through the engine bay. Can someone shed some light on this?
[Modified by BiZ, 11:31 PM 11/16/2003]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Shelton CT
Re: Anyone ever have to replace the heater core? (BiZ)
I JUST started removing mine. It blew on Saturday.
I haven't removed the dashpad and stuff, but was able to look into the plastic cover from underneat and saw drips of antifreeze on the heater core, so at least I can be sure it blew. Now to actually remove the dashpad and breadbox.. Arrhhh.. so much fun..soo little time.
I haven't removed the dashpad and stuff, but was able to look into the plastic cover from underneat and saw drips of antifreeze on the heater core, so at least I can be sure it blew. Now to actually remove the dashpad and breadbox.. Arrhhh.. so much fun..soo little time.
Race Director
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From: Indianapolis IN
Re: Anyone ever have to replace the heater core? (MrNuke)
Just changed mine today,,, now I need a week for my hands to heal from jamming them into the tight spaces! :smash: :smash: :smash:
Instructor
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From: san jose ca
Re: Anyone ever have to replace the heater core? (ld85)
what a job. It had to do mine in the middle of summer in 100+ heat and no air. My girlfriend still has the picture of my feet sticking up over the top of the seat (convertable) reaching under the dash. fun fun
Safety Car
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From: Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffin glue Orlando
Re: Anyone ever have to replace the heater core? (ld85)
Just changed mine today,,, now I need a week for my hands to heal from jamming them into the tight spaces! :smash: :smash: :smash:
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Phoenix, Arizona
Re: Anyone ever have to replace the heater core? (BiZ)
Took me about 8 hours total. But, I also replaced the breadbox, so spent some time fabricating. Now the bad news, my brand new one (from ZIP) started leaking after about 3 months. My '89 is virtually all track use, so I bypassed it. I'm removing everything and foregoing street legal after my last race this year 12/13 anyway.
Advice above in related thread is great. Remove seat for sure. You can do it without removing the dash pad, but if you do ti will be easier to see. You definitely have to remove the angle brace to the frame by the passenger footwell. Use tape on the heads of the 7mm self-tapping screws to hold them in the socket when replacing because there are a couple you can't see (top of heater core itself and at the top of the box). Start them by turning backwards until you feel the threads slip into alignment - that way you won't strip the plastic. Make sure the heater door is properly adjusted before buttoning everything up too. Good luck, Paul :flag
Advice above in related thread is great. Remove seat for sure. You can do it without removing the dash pad, but if you do ti will be easier to see. You definitely have to remove the angle brace to the frame by the passenger footwell. Use tape on the heads of the 7mm self-tapping screws to hold them in the socket when replacing because there are a couple you can't see (top of heater core itself and at the top of the box). Start them by turning backwards until you feel the threads slip into alignment - that way you won't strip the plastic. Make sure the heater door is properly adjusted before buttoning everything up too. Good luck, Paul :flag
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 7,760
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From: Lost in the mountains of TN
Re: Anyone ever have to replace the heater core? (NavyVet)
I decided to have Vern's Chevy Service Center here in Largo handle it for me. With me heading to SGC for a gathering this Thursday, I just don't have the time to do it myself. Otherwise I would havew bypassed it and taken care of it on a weekend sometime. But it will be cold in GA and even colder in TN, so I need the heater. Funny how things like this happen. I never use the heater here in Florida. Now that I need the heater for a trip it decides to start leaking. Go figure... Thanks for all of the advice. I am sure I could have handled it if I had to.
:cheers:
[Modified by BiZ, 4:54 PM 11/17/2003]
:cheers:
[Modified by BiZ, 4:54 PM 11/17/2003]
