Motor out, how to remove front part of heater box?
12-12-2010, 05:03 PM
#1
Motor out, how to remove front part of heater box? Like the title says, my motor is out of the car right now. The dash is still in. A/C gone already. Is it possible to remove the front part of the heater box off the firewall without taking the dash apart? Do I just remove all the visible 10mm bolts I can see and it will come away from the firewall?
I know to retain my heat I will have to cut a portion of the heater box away by the blend door and put an aluminum panel there or something for air travel. Also as far as the block off plate goes, is it possible to install it on the inside of the firewall from the engine bay without taking the dash apart?
My car is at the shop almost 2hrs away so I want to get it all done in 1 trip so any help is appreciated. Thanks.
I know to retain my heat I will have to cut a portion of the heater box away by the blend door and put an aluminum panel there or something for air travel. Also as far as the block off plate goes, is it possible to install it on the inside of the firewall from the engine bay without taking the dash apart?
My car is at the shop almost 2hrs away so I want to get it all done in 1 trip so any help is appreciated. Thanks.
12-12-2010, 05:45 PM
#2
IIRC it all comes out as one unit but its been a while. As for the block off it usually installed from the inside and cant be installed on the inside from the outside. Pulling it out isnt bad, if you are going to race it and pull the a/c out pulling the dash and a/c is worth it IMO.
12-12-2010, 06:54 PM
#3
search on here. some guys have done it, hammer, smash, break it apart. or sawsall it the best they can. Then you had to brake a little notch out inside the box, to get a open passage outlet on the blower motor. Go get air to the ducts, stock the box has the outlet of the blower motor that goes into the engine bay part. Some guys have to put a piece of sheet metal to remake the inner passage, so it can look flush in the engine bay. Then they make a smaller plate like 1 1/2 2inch smaller then the firewall hole, and use screws or glue it to the front of the HAVC. And culk it in. But it looks really getto and hack. I'm sure you can do a nice job but I'd just pull the dash, and get the whole unit out. I made a lighter small simple heater. once you get the stock out there a ton of room back there to do somthing better. Plus the airbag is 14#s
just reread that you know a bit about modding the box. But if you still have a airbag, and the airbag brace. you can get all the outside bolts, but there still some behind the dash I think. I did the heaterbox with airbag. But you had to tip the dash forward in you lap and feel around the back for a few 7mm the face you. Bet even so its not like there extra room back there, you can unbolt the HVAC box bolts. But don't thing your gona move it around to cut it better or anything. They designed everything really tight. if anything I think you would have it bolted in so you can cut/break it better.
just reread that you know a bit about modding the box. But if you still have a airbag, and the airbag brace. you can get all the outside bolts, but there still some behind the dash I think. I did the heaterbox with airbag. But you had to tip the dash forward in you lap and feel around the back for a few 7mm the face you. Bet even so its not like there extra room back there, you can unbolt the HVAC box bolts. But don't thing your gona move it around to cut it better or anything. They designed everything really tight. if anything I think you would have it bolted in so you can cut/break it better.
Last edited by studderin; 12-12-2010 at 07:06 PM.
12-12-2010, 07:34 PM
#6
I think it was 2 pieces with some small 7mm point screws, but it had some glue or a melted seam I couldn't get it apart fully. I had itout and wanted to take the copper and alum out. But had to break it a little anyway. Don't remember fully why but I couldn't completely unbolt it the way the parts are assembled? I was freezing my *** off at the time
