Coolant on my passenger floor mat. Nationals in 2 days!

Turn2Stone · Poncho Master!

Coolant on my passenger floor mat. Nationals in 2 days!

Ghost Post · Poncho Master!

Door #2 : Bypass

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4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

Ditto.

Keith Tedford · Addicted!

I changed out the heater core in a '69 el camino a few years ago and it is a LOT easier than you would think. You don't even have to disconnect the cables. Disconnect the hoses after draining the rad down. Undo the retaining nuts on the engine side of the firewall. Get under the dash and work the heater box away from the firewall and rotate it back gently. Remove a couple of retainers and the core comes right out. I think an experienced person could do it all in well less than an hour. All bets are off if the car is air conditioned.

-- Edited by Keith Tedford on Tuesday 5th of July 2011 09:13:04 AM

Turn2Stone · Poncho Master!

I will definitely do the swap myself, but I dont have a new one. I may just have the old one rebuilt as the odds of getting a part that doesnt fit is about 50/50. So I was hoping to just 'get by' until after the show, then I'll do whatever it takes. It is a non-A/C car. Thanks for the input. Should I just pull both hoses from the firewall and connect them? I believe they are 3/4 and 5/8? Can an adapter be found easily to join them? Tks again

Ghost Post · Poncho Master!

The core can be left w/ hoses open/removed but the waterpump needs to continue pumping..
A flush T is a good joiner if on hand but sometimes the longer of the two hoses will reach between engine in/out points and you can make any difference of hose diameter fit..
Try undoing the short hose from the engine side then long one from the core end hooking it instead to the engine point you pulled the short hose off..

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67rag396 · Poncho Master!

I used a connector that I found at Canadian tire in the help section for a while. I have seen a short hose connected to both sides of the engine connections. On the 67 full size there is one nut not accessible without getting the inner fender out of the way.

Turn2Stone · Poncho Master!

Thanks for the tips guys. I'll give it a try after work, I think the long one is long enough to reach, if not I'll get a connector from Canadian Tire.

66 Beau · Poncho Master!

My experience with mid-60's A-Bodies is the heater core removal is a PITA. GM manuals show unbolting the bottom of the RF fender, separate the fender from the inner wheel well and use a block to pry an opening. I've found easier to just remove the whole front clip. All for one bolt. I know some who have cut a section out of the inner wheel well. Kind of like changing plugs on a late 70's V8 Monza.

By-pass for now with a flush Tee.

Turn2Stone · Poncho Master!

Apparantly a 3/4" hole in the inner well will do. Stick a plug in it after. I'm only going by the info I've found as I have never replaced one. Some sites referred to the pita job you mentioned and others say its a 1hr job. I'll bypass and get at it when I get back. I'll soon see for myself. Thanks for the tips!

Pontiacanada · A Poncho Legend!

Yep, by-pass is the way to go. Take your time doing the change (mine has been by-passed for 2 years biggrin ). It is a PITA if you have big hands I hear.

ak 67sd · Poncho Master!

I plugged my water pump and intake holes... and don't run any cooler lines or bypass... It's been that way for about 15 years on my car....

ak

davelacourse · Poncho Master!

ak 67sd wrote:
I plugged my water pump and intake holes... and don't run any cooler lines or bypass... It's been that way for about 15 years on my car....

ak

Plug 'em

Quick 'n' easy, no need for heater this time of year, eh?

Dave

03cts sport · Uber Guru

Agreed with the re-routing of the hose. A simple and quick job.
I removed my heater core to have it rebuilt a couple of months ago. Always seem to be surprises with these old cars. In my case a wheel well bolt that wouldn't come off...and 45 year old firewall insulation that came crumbling down. And while you're at it you may want to replace the fan motor. (Also run water through your heater core to dilute the sticky antifreeze that will be spilling onto your floor. And I'd cut the hoses before removing them to prevent further damage to the core.)
Good luck at the Nationals!

Steve C · Guru

I just replaced my heater core. It was a piece of cake with the inner fender removed. They are actually quite easy to get out IF your bolts are not seized. Mine still had lots of never seize on them from when I assembled it 20 years ago. It's easy to disconnect the 3 cables from the heater box and pull the whole thing out. It was in stock at the local Lordco. It must be a common heater core. I ordered a 67 chevelle heater core so it is the same. You will want to remove the glove box to make things easier as well. It took me a couple of hours without rushing the job. If you want to bypass it just buy the 5/8 - 3/4 plastic connector from your local parts guy.

jlysholm · Guru

Same issue happened to me last weekend! Purchased mine from Lordco as well ($70) ...perfect fit and in stock! ...about 4hrs to fix, but have to admitt ...it was a pain in the ass!