I just had a rebuild done on my motor for my 1969 firebird. After install it looks like I need a new heater core. I'm an oil change, and tune up kinda guy. So I'm wondering what would be involved in replacing the heater core myself. Whate are the steps involved and can a somewhat handy guy figure it out or should I leave it to a pro?
for coupe: Remove Hood Remove RH fender Remove heater lines to heater core Remove heater box under dash and attached to front firewall Remove heater core from heater box
for a/c: more work!
Pray don;t leak Sound like fun?
Engine Test Stand Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoxyUwptUcdqEb-o2ArqyiUaHW0G_C88 restoring my 1968 Firebird 400 HO convertible (Firedawg) 1965 Pontiac Catalina Safari Wagon 389 TriPower (Catwagon) 1999 JD AWS LX Lawn tractor 17hp (my daily driver) 2006 Sequoia 2017 Murano (wife's car) 202? Electric car 203? 68 Firebird /w electric engine 2007 Bayliner 175 runabout /w 3.0L Mercuiser__________________________________________________________
With the clip removed and the windshield out, it wasn't too bad. Stand inside on the floor board, lean out the w/s opening to help jockey the outer case in place.
You don't state a/c or w/o/a/c
I cannot speak for a/c, but if you want to supercharge the fan-air flow on woac, this is a have-to-modify while you have the heater box out.
The 'warp' had completely obstructed air flow. I already started wallowing it out with a heat gun before the photo session, lot better than when I started. Even if it's not warped, if you amputate the shown area, it makes straight-shot, mass-air flow, rather than the 180' transition.
Before the modification, it blew ZERO air, fan motor ran fine, absolutely freeze your [censored] off lamf! Now, @ highway speed, I can open the heat flap, and plenty of hot air will drift in without the fan with 32' ambient temperature. I run a 160' thermostat, not a cabin heat thermostat as recommended by the book, but the 160' thermostat it's plenty enough heat for my winter climate, @ 16' it keeps you warm. If I ran a 190' (cabin heat) thermostat, the additional 30' of engine heat, and the fan, and it would roast you out of the car.