Author Topic: Heater core removal and refitting (Read 3261 times)

mortskeg · « **on:** January 31, 2006, 04:09:27 pm »

Hey everybody-
I'm in the middle of swapping a rebuilt 1.6NA into my '81 Pickup. The last engine had a small headgasket leak, so I'm trying to get any and all oily stuff out of the system. I'm replacing all the hoses, so i figured I'd just pull the heater core out and inspect it and flush it in the kitchen sink.

I replaced the heater core when it started leaking probably 5 years ago and I don't remember it being very hard; however it is kinda being a pain this time. I've removed the accel pedal from the bracket and can get the core about halfway out, but it is running into the brake/ cluster bracket even when the far (passenger) side is tilted up at an angle. In normal fashon for myself, I'm trying to do this by removing the least amount of things as possible, and I can't remember taking more stuff off last time.

Any tips or hints are greatly appriciated, I just wish I could remember how I did it before.

I should mention that this is a non-ac model.

Thanks!

mortskeg · « **Reply #1 on:** February 01, 2006, 02:25:55 am »

Disregard the above, I ended up just flushing it in-vehicle. I still wonder how I did it before, I must have done it while I had the pedals pulled for something else.

Thanks anyhow!

BlackTieTD · « **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2006, 07:29:34 am »

hey mortskeg, next time unbolt the 4 bolts in the raintray, the two clamps on the coolant lines, and the linkages, and the whole heater box will come out. easiest/fastest this way.

you can also remove the blower from the raintray without the need to drop the box entirely if you ever need to do a blower.

mortskeg · « **Reply #3 on:** February 01, 2006, 11:47:13 am »

Hey, thanks for the tip, BlackTie.
Sounds pretty straight forward, is it pretty easy to realign with the defrost ducting on reinstall? Also, I've installed a rabbit gti center console, didn't know if this technique would cause me to need to pull the console, or if the airbox will slide out sideways into the passenger foot well?

Thanks!

BlackTieTD · « **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2006, 12:02:34 pm »

hrm, i'd have to say both would be tricky but do-able... but take that with a grain of salt or two. i run a minimal interior so i don't have the same obstructions as you. i'd be temped to pull the floor console and glove box (which is one piece with the knee bar) so i could poke around a little easier. might pull the dash bezel cluster cover deal (woodgrain piece) to try to get better access to get the ducts realigned.

sounds easier to just pull the heater core alone now :lol:

mortskeg · « **Reply #5 on:** February 01, 2006, 12:05:02 pm »

Cool, thanks again Blacktie.

I guess I'll try to time my next core change with some other sort of behind the dash work. Maybe if my tape deck dies at the same time.

Thanks again!

BlackTieTD · « **Reply #6 on:** February 01, 2006, 12:05:59 pm »

no problem... i only know that stuff cuz i've been there before and swearing slightly... anything i can do to help!

vph · « **Reply #7 on:** February 02, 2006, 05:14:29 am »

Mortskeg, that's a great looking interior on the caddy! Did you replace the seat covers and door panels?

mortskeg · « **Reply #8 on:** February 02, 2006, 12:35:19 pm »

Thanks vph,
The door cards are original, though I replaced the armrests with non-cracked ones of the 'bay. As you can imagine, 310,000 in the driver's seat had taken its toll on the drivers side vinyl, so I recovered them with a seat kit from TMI? I think. I can look it up if anyone's interested. One of my co-worker's husband is an upholsterer, so he gave me a hand with re-inforcing the foam, etc. I sewed up the shift boot since the gti shift boot is actually a different shape to corespond with the center console. I did a matching deal for the e-brake.

Glad you like it, it's too much red (russet) for some people but I figured I'd keep it somewhat orig.