I need a heater core in my 84 Z28... and the shop quoted me $310 total for the job. Is this a good deal?

I read something about being able to reach up behind the dash and being able to do that... is that true? Sounds like a hella pain in the ****...

 

I'd suggest doing it yourself....Yeah, its a pain in the nuts but unless you've got money just sittin around doing nothing, its not worth 310 bucks....you'll probably need to spend 20 bucks for the heater core it self (AutoZone, lifetime warentee), maybe 5 bucks for replacement hoses + clamps if you need them, and 6-12 bucks for a gallon or so of antifreeze (i buy the cheap premixed stuff from C.A.P., 6 bucks a gallon, but hey, it works :-))
Other than that, if you've got a little time and patients, its fairly easy....the hardest part for ME (just did it yesterday, still gotta buy another hose i didnt think i would have to) was getting the "impossible to reach" screw from the top out.....spent about 45 minutes struggling with that, trying everything even trying just to pry the cover off, as i didnt see how else i would ever get it off......finally was like "WTF" so i just removed the computer and unhooked all the crap from under there (Carb'd car so i dont need any of that crap anyway) and took about 5 minutes to unscrew it, lol
I say go for it yourself.....i've got some pics from yesterday HERE
, not labled very good but it might help ya out.....
Dont do what the Haynes manual says to though....it says to rip the whole dash out.....the most you should have to remove is just the computer....
Dont pay someone to do it unless you cant do it yourself or dont have the time....

 

Check the following link:

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=210395

Do it yourself.

JamesC

 

I did it in a few hours with the car out on the street no less. Its not as bad as some people make it out to be. You would save yourself a buttload of cash if you just took a saturday and did it yourself. You could use that 300 towards some go-fast goodies

Will

 

$310 is a joke. Its so easy to change a heater core on a 3rd-gen.

1. Disconnect the heaters hoses from the heater core in the engine compartment.
2. Remove underdash hush panel on the passenger side.
3. Remove two screws that hold the computer, lower computer and set it a side.
4. Remove four screws that hold the heater box cover on. You'll need a long extension for one of the top screws. Use your fingers or a flashlight and mirror to locate the upper screws. Remove heater box cover.
5. Remove the couple screws that hold the heater core and pull the heater core out.

Reverse for installation

It only took me about 30 mins to R & R the heater core on my friends IROC. That shop is charging A LOT for labor if they quoted $310. The replacement heater core is only $20-$40.

 

i just did mine also... i thought it was hard so i checked the tgo boards to gain a little confindence ( ha ha.. ) ..... it took me one day and everything was out... just gotta put everything bk.. real easy...

 

i did mine in under an hour (hardest part was getting the new HC lined up). did have to drop the computer, just remove the 4-5 screws hold the plastic cover on.

 

$310 is to much, it's a pain but worth it.

 

sorry, meant to say i didnt have to drop the computer.

 

Just edit your post instead of posting a new message.

Some cores are better built than others. A $20 core isn't something I'd put into a car I cared about, but if you just need to get by, it'll do just fine. Be sure to rinse out any coolant that gets in the ducting or it's going to smell for a few weeks.