Heater core removal

[vooderman]

Well, I am a new poster here. It looks like there are some die hard II enthusiasts here and the wealth of information can certainly help me with my project. I Installed a 351W in my 78KC and man I can tell you, it had to be shoehorned in there but it now fits. (and actually runs) I am going to install a set of stainless braided hoses to the heater core and before I begin, I thought it would be a good idea to see if anyone has some tips for me? I dont want to "dig in" and create more work than needed.

Fire away, any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

I will be posting my pictures as soon as I figure out how to?

 

[LILCBRA]

Are you trying to replace the heater core, or just run new hoses? The heater core, in my opinion, would be easiest to replace after removing the dash. I went ahead and did mine while I had it apart, so that is how I see it. Maybe someone else tried it successfully without removing the dash?!? I'm not sure it would be an easy process that way though...

 

[vooderman]

I am going to replace just the hoses but it appears that the heater core needs to be removed to get at the hoses. Am I correct with this?

 

[Dano78]

On an Non-A/C heaterbox the hose connections to the heater core are on the interior side of the firewall, but external of the heater box up on the top. If you remove the glovebox and liner you should be able to access those hose connections. Still won't have much room to work. Loosening the heaterbox from the firewall and dropping it down a bit, will make it a bit easier. Naturally, if you're this far, you might as well replace the heater core if it is at all questionable.

Now if you have A/C, doesn't the heater core stubs pertrude through the firewall? I can't remeber for sure. I've replaced an A/C equipped heater core in a II, and it's no picnic.

 

[kcobra302]

hose ends on the ac cars are on the engine bay side of the firewall. if you are doing the heater core on an ac car set aside 6 to 8 hours. if i remember the book i had gives you 6.5 and you will be hustling and must know exactly what you are doing to beat that time. i really like working on my cars but i can tell you i hated doing the core. just a plain pain in the a%$

a few good things that came out of my replacement was i was able to eliminate all of the squeeks and rattles from the dash and clean all the bugs, debris and old sticker scrappings from between the dash and windshield. really not much.

non ac cars are very easy to do the core.

 

[vooderman]

Thanks for the replies. It is a non A/C car. I'll give it a try this weekend.