smitty2919

THANKFULLY the heater core in these cars are not difficult. I started the job at 5:30 and had it back in and called it quits about 8:30. That included making a run to Autozone to pick up the new heater core.

-Basically remove 3 screws holding the hinge for the glove box out and remove the glove box.
-Remove 3 screws holding the heater core cover on and wiggle it out.
-Remove a heat riser looking part that gets in the way.
-Disconnect the hoses in the engine bay along with the retaining clip (1 screw)
-Finagle the HC out.
-Reverse for install.

I did not need to "drain the coolant". I simply put a plastic cup under the hose connection in the engine bay wedged between the firewall/block and sat on the header. That caught MOST of the coolant spilling.

I used a tube/funnel to fill the new HC with coolant when it was installed and had one hose installed to minimize the burping process. Just need to burp and check for leaks today.

hrcslam

Nice. I thought it'd be harder.

smitty2919

My first thought was "oh ****...here we go" when I first knew it was the HC.

But it was pretty straight forward and easy. I was surprised it went out with only 66k mi on my car through.

cardo0

Good to know that.
Thx for sharing.

hrcslam

Miles mean nothing to components like that. It's more about time and conditions. Your car is 19 years old.

Dirty_Bird

Mine took less than an hour

bufmatmuslepants

iTrader: (3)

I wish I'd have known it was so easy, I dealt with very minimal heat for 4 years, steel toes, ski jacket, gloves and hat for 8 hour drives home for Christmas break. This is why I had no reservations just pulling the whole Hvac when I started racing it.

smitty2919

I'm sure I can cut that time in half if I need to do another on in an Fbody. With never having done one and not having to rush I took my time.

It came out with a 5.5mm socket and 8mm socket for specific screws. Let it warm up last night and burped the system with no leaks. Put heat through the vents and it was nice to NOT smell coolant

scj

iTrader: (89)

I would be careful with autozone heater cores. The quality is sub par. I replaced my heater core in my old firebird with an autozone replacement 3 times before taking the last one back and getting a refund and going to Napa for the 4th one that finally worked without leaking. The three from autozone all leaked at the inlet/outlet where they were connected to the actual core upon initial start up.

smitty2919

No issues here so far. No smell of coolant in the car nor wet spots on the carpet.

Blue85350

iTrader: (1)

I'm with dirty_bird, mine was about 30 minutes. Did have the part on hand though.

moehorsepower

iTrader: (3)

Same here, had the part and took me less than an hour, I was surprised..Now for the window motor, but with shobox, I already did the drivers side a few years ago and I think it was like an hour too.