71_radiator and now heater core help sought

[Peter M.]

To all,

Thanks for helping me with info on other thread early today on how to get radiator out. Will continue to work on that when I get my friend this weekend.

Real reason for starting the project in first place was heater core was leaking all over rug, etc. Since I need to wait on finishing taking out radiator (thanks again for direction), I moved onto trying to get to heater core.

I took off passenger glove dash. Looks like I need to unbolt a blower(?) motor cover on the firewall so I can then pull this other cover that sits inside inside the dash that I suspect heater core sits in and it looks like bolts for this passenger side cover pass thru to nuts on blower motor cover. Does anyone know whether I need to pull out center radio console part too or just the passenger dash? Also any other tips greatly appreciated on heater core replacement greatly appreciated.

Final thought - carpet loaded with antifreeze - is there a way to fix or should I just redo carpet? Thoughts?

Thanks

Pete

[Jack H.]

Re: 71_radiator and now heater core help sought

"Final thought - carpet loaded with antifreeze - is there a way to fix or should I just redo carpet? Thoughts?"

When my '71 heater core took a 'dump' soaking the passenger side carpet, I followed the old adage: "Dilution is the solution to pollution". What's that mean?

Well, I readied a wet/dry shop vac and dumped a 2-gallon bucket of water into the RH foot well and with a scrub brush, worked the water into the carpet & underlying jute. Then, sucked it out with the vac.

I repeated the process FOUR more times until I couldn't feel anymore 'greasy/slippery' texture to the carpet. Last, it's a convertible, I backed the car out into the sun in the drive way and let 'er 'cook' dry for 5-hours.

That was about six years ago and roughly 45K miles ago. BTW, the 5-hour sun bake did NOT fully dry the carpet as that factory jute has a propensity to hold water pretty well! But, she finally DID dry out in the garage...

I'd wait to do this clean up until you've done the heater core R&R job and you're satisfied you've got the leak fixed and the connecting hoses properly clamped!!!

[Greg L.]

Re: 71_radiator and now heater core help sought

I don't know if your 71 is like my 69 (non A/C) but if it is I recored my heater core years ago and it came out from the engine compartment side.

I just removed the nuts holding the blower housing to the firewall, the wires from the blower motor and the two heater hoses and the housing came off with SLIGHT prying due to the old sealant. I think there was a small retainer held on by a screw in the housing and then the core came out. It was a tight fit between the core and fiberglass of the firewall but in the end it worked out well.

[R N.]

Re: 71_radiator and now heater core help sought

To all,

Real reason for starting the project in first place was heater core was leaking all over rug, etc. Since I need to wait on finishing taking out radiator (thanks again for direction), I moved onto trying to get to heater core.

Pete

Becareful Pete, this is how many a frame off restorations got started .

[Peter M.]

Re: 71_radiator and now heater core help sought

To all,

Does anyone out there who knows 71's or has done a heater core replacement on a 71 non ac know if I can do as Greg indicates he did on his 69--take it out from the firewall engine compartment side (i.e. do not take heater core out thru the dash interior side)?

Thanks

Pete

[Roger O.]

Re: 71_radiator and now heater core help sought

Its designed to come out from the inside, but you can do it from the engine side I'm told. I think you might have to force the core a little to get it out from under the holddowns. I have always removed from the inside. You should clean the heater box and the gasket between the box and firewall.
Its not a bad job on a coupe but can be a bit of a challenge on a convertible.

[Greg L.]

Re: 71_radiator and now heater core help sought

My frame-off started with an simple oil change!

Seriously Peter. Just start at the firewall side and take off the things that I mentioned and go from there. Even if you end up having to take the heater core out from the inside you'll still have to remove all those same things from the engine side anyways.

[Tom H.]

Re: 71_radiator and now heater core help sought

My 71 core was changed a few years ago and we pulled it from the inside. Seems they build the car around the heater core !

[Paul L.]

Re: 71_radiator and now heater core help sought

I've done both AC and non/AC C3s. Here is an article I did many moons ago for non/AC. Yes the core does come out the firewall side.

If you have AC I have pics as well although I do not enjoy revisiting that job!

http://www.capitalcorvetteclub.ca/page/Tech_Notes/Heater_Core_No_AC.html

[Roy V.]

Re: 71_radiator and now heater core help sought

A friend of mine, Glenn, from NY documented how he changed his in a 1970 car without A/C,from the engine compartment. It may be of some help to you.
Regards
Roy

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-general/2420273-heater-core-install-done-pics.html

[Peter M.]

Re: 71_radiator and now heater core help sought

thanks very helpful

[Peter M.]

Re: 71_radiator and now heater core help sought

thanks to all for help!!!

[Peter M.]

Re: 71_radiator and now heater core help sought

got core out thru firewall pics helped - thanks again onto replacement and radiator pull with friend hopefully this weekekend

[Peter M.]

Re: 71_radiator and now heater core help sought

Depressing update-received my copper radiator recored back from Dewitts in middle of October. Due to a bunch of stuff, just got around to finishing up job(radiator install and heater core, all new hoses, etc).

Good news - tips from you folks and corvette forum on taking off hood, and putting radiator support, new foam, radiator, and shroud all together in one unit and then slipping in(with fan removed) worked like a charm. Had in in minutes-my friend and I were shocked considering how long it took for us to get pieces out individually. So thanks to all.

The Depressing news - a leak on drivers side right at the very bottom of radiator "u clamp"? i.e. support piece preformed that holds rubber insulator that radiator sits on top of. All I can see is a bit of green when looking from underneath and from the left side. When you look from right side, you don't even see anything so leak must be small. Do not see anything on either side of radiator but shroud stops you from seeing 100%. I am guessing, since Dewitt has a good reputation, that I likely did something tiny to either the driver side tank(hairline crack?) or one of the rows at bottom. But can't tell so suspect I need to take the whole thing out and then unbolt and see?

So question - can I take out the support/radiator/shroud OUT as one piece as I did when putting in? I assume so but wanted to ask if anyone had any ideas. Gosh I hope I just didn't waste 600 bucks getting copper radiator recored for no reason(or maybe I would have had same problem with new aluminum - who knows). I am bummed to say the least. Besides not being the most handly though always willing to try(which translates to doing things slow), I usually have limited time on weekends to do. What a drag to say the least to maybe have to start all over

Pete