CoolingDiscuss all of the aspects of cooling that you can think of! Radiators, transmissions, electric fans, etc.
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the best way is to take a day your not busy and remove the entire dash, then there is a box in the middle and the heater core is inside of it. so i live without heat.
the best way is to take a day your not busy and remove the entire dash, then there is a box in the middle and the heater core is inside of it. so i live without heat.
Welcome to TGO. A search on TGO is always a good thing. The question is asked frequently, so you should find a ton of info.
JamesC
__________________ "There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, / Than are dreamt of in your philosophy." Hamlet
For ease and convenience, remove the passenger seat. Not required, but makes it a lot easier to access the heater core area and clean up the mess. Remove the dash pad. There are 4 screws in the upper windshield vents. remove the remaining screws at the leading edge of the dash pad bottom side. Once pad is removed, take out speaker and speaker frame on passenger side.
Under the dash, remove the screws that hold the heater core cover in place. You will be able to feel them along the sides and bottom, but the top one will be accessible thru the speaker opening. While looking down at the cover from the top, the screw is where the contour changes in the cover. Once the cover is off, you'll see the heater core connected to another piece with screws requiring an extension to access. Remove those screws, remove the hoses from the engine side of the firewall and pull out the heater core. Replacement is just the opposite.
Did they change the heater box design when they redesigned the dashes? I was able to remove mine in the 89 without removing any of the dash; had to find all 5 of the screws by feel, but that was the hardest part. couple of extensions and maybe a pivot joint for the socket. I did have to buy new hoses since the only way to get the old ones off was by cutting them.
You can always temporarily bypass the core until you get a chance to fix it; no need to get everything soaked until then.
__________________
1987 Trans Am, work in progress
2008 Pontiac G8
Retired: 1984 Camaro "ZF" 2.8L, 1989 Camaro RS
Customer Service Manager, 1A Auto Parts
I've done a 90 & 90 Camaro, both without pulling the dash.
Just undo the lower dash pieces, each up & you can access everything that way (except the 2 hose clamps in the engine compartment.
Pulling the passenger side seat OUT, makes it a lot easier to lay on the floorboard & reach up there, instead of laying on your back over the door sill.
The removal of the dash pad, speaker and speaker frame are steps to access the one screw on the top of the cover. Is it accessible without removing these components, yes, but it's easier by doing so. I've seen so many posts about how to do things and the steps required and so many people try to take shortcuts. If the shortcut was really that beneficial, then GM wouldn't have added other steps. I'm thinking of the fuel pump replacement with this. So many people will fight and wrestle with the tank instead of just dropping the rear more. I followed the GM instructions to a T and it was cake. Now, why Chevy says to remove the stereo pod, stereo and whatever else to get at the heater core, I don't know, but the shortcuts I used just make it easier and quicker than fighting with that one screw.
You dont need to remove the dash. Its just one screw at the top thats hard to get. Get your 1/4 air ratchet,extension,7mm and position yourself until u get it.
Or you can do it the dumb way.....take out 4 screws, break the cover, go to your local junkyard and find a stripped camaro and take it out easy. Install all bolts except the top one. Crude, but effective! Did mine in 20 mins
pretty sure I followed JamesC's guide when I did this to my 89 4-5 years ago. You honestly do not need to remove anything other than the hush panels if you have them (my RS didn't). Hardest part was getting the hoses off the core.
Now I can't say I was so lucky with my 87 Taurus (first car). Steering column had to come down, stereo came out, complete dash out of car. Hated that job.
__________________
1987 Trans Am, work in progress
2008 Pontiac G8
Retired: 1984 Camaro "ZF" 2.8L, 1989 Camaro RS
Customer Service Manager, 1A Auto Parts
pretty sure I followed JamesC's guide when I did this to my 89 4-5 years ago. You honestly do not need to remove anything other than the hush panels if you have them (my RS didn't). Hardest part was getting the hoses off the core.
Now I can't say I was so lucky with my 87 Taurus (first car). Steering column had to come down, stereo came out, complete dash out of car. Hated that job.
I have my heater core bypassed in my 87 so I have no more leakage. It went pretty quick and has been handy all summer. However if it gets cold where you live it might be time to get it fixed.
I need to do that asap.
But good luck
__________________ I dont fall for muscles, I fall for muscle cars...
If the shortcut was really that beneficial, then GM wouldn't have added other steps..
I would better guess that GM added the extra steps to support their dealers. Doesn't make any difference to GM at all how hard it is to replace anything - their job is done when the car rolls off the line. BUT - adding extra steps makes more billable time for the dealership, and thus increases dealer profitability in the service center (one place a dealership NEVER makes a profit), and therefore a false support of the dealer (whom GM corporate could really care less about anyway).
I've never taken the dash out, I've replaced 5 heater cores in various 3rd gens, and even with that one hidden screw, it's never taken more than 1 hour to do the job. Dealer mechanics never follow "the book" - they take all the shortvuts they can. They get paid a percentage of the bill (ie billable time by the book), and thus by car, not by the hour - and you damn sure know that if there's a shortcut they're gonna use it so they can be done and get the next job in line before another mechanic gets it.
You guys put too much faith in The General. He's not looking to help anyone - never was - he's looking to make a buck off of all us saps!
so i live without heat. 
