Has any one done one of these? If so I sure would like some input. I am not usually afraid of the unknow but this one has me thinking I might have bitten off more than I can chew. 305 TPI auto AC Jim

 

My heater core went out a few years ago and I remeber changing it wasent fun.

 

Correct, it isn't fun. The best way I've found is to move the seat back and down as much as possible, if its t-top, maybe even take off the glass for more leg room, then I put a blanket down on the floorpan lay down and look up. try to get as level as possible so you can stay down without blood rushing to your head like you're upside down.

 

I will know alot more about my car after this project. Thanks guys.

 

It was easy for me. Took about an hour from start to finish. Don't follow what the Haynes or Chilton says to do, you DO NOT have to remove the dash. It makes it a little easier if you remove the passenger seat before you start, but it's not required.

Remove the dash pad and the passenger side speaker and speaker bracket, then remove the lower dash panel. You'll see a black box tucked up into the dash with 7mm screws around the perimeter. The bottom few are easy to get out, however the top one (you may have two on the very top, I've heard later models have another screw) are more tricky. You'll need a combination of a deep well 1/4" drive 7mm socket, standard depth 7mm, a couple different 1/4" drive extensions, and a 1/4" drive ratchet. Work your way around the box until it's loose, I can't remember off the top of my head how many screws there are total. Once the cover is out, you'll see the heater core. It's attached to a bracket that has 2 or 4 IIRC 7mm screws holding it in. Once you get those out and the hoses disconnected, the heater core will slide right out.

Attach the new heater core to the bracket and reassemble it.

There is a write up on TGO, I'll see if I can find it.

 

Here, the OP says that it will only work for 82-86 cars, but others posted saying the method worked just fine for their newer models:

http://www.thirdgen.org/techboard/te...e-82-86-a.html

 

I just pulled mine out a couple hours ago and no you do not need to take the dash off. Be sure to unscrew the drain plug at the bottom of the radiator and drain as much coolant as you can. I jacked up the back of the car a bit to help get as much coolant out as possible.