removing the HVAC box - need help

[truckinwagen]

hey all, I am trying to remove the HVAC box from my 85 GTI with factory AC.

I have removed all the bots I can see(one inside, one in middle of firewall, two where AC lines go through firewall)
but it seems to be hanging up on the drivers side near the top.

I dont have plans to re use it(I am building a custom dash and heater box to get rid of all the stupid vacuum actuated crap) but I dont want to have coolant pour all over me either.

any tips for getting the HVAC box out?

-Owen

[macka]

sounds like it is hung up on a cross member. Jtanguay had fun with his. He had to be patient, and wiggle a lot to slide his out. Do you have all your heater core parts unbolted?

[truckinwagen]

I cannot see the heater core at all, I was hoping that it would be inside the big black box I am trying to remove.

and there does not seem to be a crossmember in this car, so it should not be hanging up on that.

[theman53]

My MKI I had to turn it sideways then pull it out the passenger side.
My MKII I had to take the dash out...if you can do it with the dash in you should be in X-men as you have powers most humans don't. Also on the MKII it had 2 bolts going from inside to outside the firewall almost directly under the wiper arm mounts. Hope it helps?

[dieselherb1]

Heater hoses should be up top to the right of the gas pedal. Also is everything disconnected in the raintray under the hood, that will have alot of sealant around it.

[burn_your_money]

If you aren't planning on keeping the AC then switching to the non AC box will eliminate all the vacuum lines/actuators.

I seem to recall that there are 3 bolts/nuts/studs going from through the firewall excluding the ones for the AC lines.

[truckinwagen]

cool, I am thinking about eliminating the whole box and making one to hold the heater core and a fan.

all I want is hot air to blow on the windshield anyway.

[macka]

you could go the old jeep CJ3 route and have 2 nozzles aimed at the windshield and a little door that opens on the heater core box to let warm air into the main car body. Super simple and its pretty retro.

[truckinwagen]

I was thinking to have the heater core sitting under the dash with a small fan attached to one side of it.
the other side of the heater core would be attached to a duct that goes up into the dash where a long opening along the bottom of the windshield would allow the hot air to thaw it.

no need to pull cold air in from outside the car, clears up lots of space the HVAC box used to take up.