have a 68 camaro that was a small block car, but was changed to a 396 a few years ago. Well the heater core started leaking inside the heater box.
Guess the core let go( Havent checked yet!!!)
My question is i want to replace it but want to change the setup to a big block heater, I know the engine compartment side has the BB heater core in the middle of the heater cover. Mine enters on the firewall along side the engine heater cover.
I wish to purchase a new big block heater cover for the firewall Now does the replacement heater core install from the engine side or the interior side?
Will the new replacemnt BB cover fit in the existing heater location and do i have to change the interior heater box to make it all work !!
any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Ted

 

Here is an old posting by one of the members here on this site concerning this job.
Everett#2390 says:

You can replace the core easily.
Unhook hoses and unscrew the nuts on the engine side.
Inside, remove glovebox.
Lay down a single plastic sheeting from the firewall to seat from trans tunnel to over the rocker panel.
Pull on heater housing from the firewall.
Lay down heater box on plastic and wha la - use a 5/16 socket to remove the screw and clip.
Pull out heater core.
Reassemble in reverse.

Take old core to match for replacement size - buy American core for quality - AC/Delco.
Can't find a replacement, fix old one.

Now seeing that your going to switch covers, you'll need to take the cover and blower motor out of the car. There are a few screws under the fender that you'll need to remove first. Might be a good idea to get a new blower motor and put that on before you put the cover back on.
I'm not 100% sure, but I do think the BB cover will match up to the studs on the heater box.

Be careful putting the hoses back on the heater core. Those things always tend to crack easily.

 

Being in Florida, do you actually use your heat? If not, you can remove the heater core, and either loop the heater hose, or remove them altogether and put plugs in place of the fittings.

 

Thanks for the info . I started to remove inner fender well but aft removing all the bolts for that I ended pulling the whole fender to make access easier. Now finding the correct replacement heater core. Mine has a bad leak caused by changing the motor mounts the other day while lifting the motor oops!!!!

 

That will do it......

Good luck

 

It happens, I even had a buddy break one of the hard lines when he was changing a rubber hose.