Replacing Heater Core, Any Suggestions?

KENS89LX

Member

Mar 12, 2006

302

1

19

Cross lanes Wv

Oct 2, 2014

#1

• Oct 2, 2014

• #1

I am getting ready to tackle the heater core, just looking for some tips, and is the a/c evap easy to remove, thought I would check it while I'm changing the heater core.

 

Micheal Nadeau

Active Member

Dec 30, 2013

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Savannah, GA

Oct 2, 2014

#2

• Oct 2, 2014

• #2

If your going to do one, you might as well do the other. They are both in the HVAC box. Do you have a way to remove the Freon?

 

hoopty5.0

mechanicus terribilis

15 Year Member

Dec 14, 2010

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Oct 2, 2014

#3

• Oct 2, 2014

• #3

Watch the lmrs videos

 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician

Aug 27, 2012

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Oct 2, 2014

#4

• Oct 2, 2014

• #4

plan on 4-6 hours of cursing. You have to drop the steering column, console, entire dash, and those two blind nuts on the back of the heater core box are a PITA to get to.

Make sure you put a reducer in the new heater core hose as it will extend the life of the new core. Also I highly recommend you leak test the new heater core before you install it.

 

MFE92

10 Year Member

Aug 25, 2010

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Phoenix

Oct 2, 2014

#5

• Oct 2, 2014

• #5

You don't have to pull the whole dash. You can do the job with the dash in your lap, and if you cut the heater box and pry it open, you can remove the core and replace it, re-seal the box, and be done with it with somewhat less hassle. But no matter what, it's like they started with the bare heater core and then built the entire car around it. ing PITA.

http://forums.corral.net/forums/gen...-fox-heater-core-installation-guide-here.html

 

madspeed

Colonel Mustard

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Nov 29, 1999

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a van down by the river

Oct 3, 2014

#6

• Oct 3, 2014

• #6

get out the 2x4

 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician

Aug 27, 2012

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Oct 3, 2014

#7

• Oct 3, 2014

• #7

MFE92 said:

You don't have to pull the whole dash. You can do the job with the dash in your lap, and if you cut the heater box and pry it open, you can remove the core and replace it, re-seal the box, and be done with it with somewhat less hassle. But no matter what, it's like they started with the bare heater core and then built the entire car around it. ****ing PITA.

http://forums.corral.net/forums/gen...-fox-heater-core-installation-guide-here.html

Click to expand...

You would think afer 2 decades someone would have made a replacement heater core box with a removable cover. I agree you can cut open the box and reseal it, but that is kind of shade tree IMO.

 

Onefine88

Previously 89SSC18

10 Year Member

Aug 3, 2006

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Oct 3, 2014

#8

• Oct 3, 2014

• #8

I've done it 3 times. Patience, is the only advice I have.

 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician

Aug 8, 2003

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NJ

Oct 4, 2014

#9

• Oct 4, 2014

• #9

You can remove all the bolts and pry the dash back on the passenger side without disrupting the entire thing.

I'd leave the evaporator alone, splitting the box open to get it out is a nightmare.

 

oldskolbus

Founding Member

Apr 30, 2002

258

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WV

Oct 5, 2014

#10

• Oct 5, 2014

• #10

mikestang63 said:

You would think afer 2 decades someone would have made a replacement heater core box with a removable cover. I agree you can cut open the box and reseal it, but that is kind of shade tree IMO.

Click to expand...

Is it an a/c car? I have done a few in 86's. the non a/c cars,I think (its been a while)had bolts on the outside of the heater box where the core just slid out, you dident have to pull the dash. don't go for the cheap replacement. my brother replaced one only to find out after it was all back together that it was bad, and leaked...

 

KENS89LX

Member

Mar 12, 2006

302

1

19

Cross lanes Wv

Oct 9, 2014

#11

• Oct 9, 2014

• #11

Thanks for the input, got it done couple days ago, didnt fool with the a/c, took about 5 hrs....the new heater core is aluminum, hope it is worthy of the trouble'''

 

Mellostang

New Member

Oct 28, 2014

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1

Oct 28, 2014

#12

• Oct 28, 2014

• #12

I know your pain how long was your job?

 

mikestang63

SN Certified Technician

Aug 27, 2012

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In the garage

Oct 29, 2014

#13

• Oct 29, 2014

• #13

Here in Fl we usually just bypass the damn thing. No one uses heat anyway .