cor72vette

So I had her out last night for her weekly drive, :steering: all of a sudden at about 5000 rpm's I smell antifreeze. :cry Stop the car, no signs anywhere in the engine bay. Get her home and the windows are steaming...the dreaded tell tale sign of a heater core gone ****-up. Any advice on the repair? Tricks of the trade? Thanks for your help!!! :thumbs:

Almost forgot, 350, 4sp, AC.


[Modified by cor72vette, 3:43 PM 10/3/2003]

Gordonm

With AC it is a big job. I did mine from the engine side but I have no air. You need to take the dash all apart and remove it from inside. They start with a heater core and build the car around it. :jester


[Modified by Gordonm, 4:16 PM 10/3/2003]

reidry

What's the story on heater cores? I'm doing a frame off on my '69 and wonder what should be done about the heater core during this time? I'm also contemplating removing it as the car is basically going to be a dedicated AutoX and specialty show car.

Thanks in advance for any info.

Ryan

cor72vette

I thought about bypassing mine too...tie the hoses together at the heater box. As hot as C3's are inside the car, I don't really need it. Plus I don't drive it in winter months. But I guess that would kill the idea of it being "all original." :skep:

72GACRZR

See this thread for futher help.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=663714

reidry

cor72vette - "all original" ... guess the LS1 Crate motor already ruined it for me.

Ryan

Turbo-Jet

-get a kit and rebuild the heater box while you have it apart.

- the box is retained by 4 studs to the firewall with 8 nuts. do the math and that save hours of frustration as you ponder the mystery force that wants to prevent you from removing it.

-pressure test the core before you install it.





[Modified by Turbo-Jet, 5:54 PM 10/3/2003]

conway62

Just completed mine a few week ago. I have a 71 BB with Air. The problem I had was seperating the heater box from the rest of the duct work. You have to have to take your time and dont yank things. Also, remove the hoses before you attempt to pull out the core. The clamps can get hung up on the mounting clips for the heater box assembly and break off. (dont ask me how I know this). Once you have everything out, make sure you clean and inspect everyghing real good. Place the new heater core in the mounting frame and pressure test the core before placing it in the car. There have been several complaints of cores leaking out of the box. Also, do not connect the hoses to the core before putting the heater box back in the car. Once you get the core in, you can easily put the hoses on from under the car. One more thing. Spend the extra money and use the proper heater hoses. They have pre-molded bends in them which are very important. The reason you do not want to bypass the core is one for heat and second, your aire conditioning circulates through the core. So if its leaking niether system will work and water will always be leaking. Even if you do not use the heat or Air, the car has more value if all the systems work. Its a big job changing the core but its worth it in the end. Im actually using the heat where I live in the north east. Its awesome. Once you change the core you will have great heat. I have a convertable and I use it in the fall and spring with the top down. Works great. If you have more questions feel free to email me.

DaddyO

HEH HEH
you said ****
:crazy:

cor72vette

Just finished up the job. :smash: A pain, but not too bad. That was the fourth time I've had the dash apart (oil gauge, tach, radio were the others), I'm getting good at it. The heater box rebuild kit was a great idea! Nice weather here today, time for a drive. :steering:

Alwyn678

One of the first jobs I did.not too bad but not a lot of fun either but heat is good as i drive a lot in the fall and winter.pressure test the core before installing :cheers:

One Bad 74

Just bypass it. Who needs a heater anyway?