Hello Everyone

I have a Haynes Firebird manual for my car...when i looked in it for directions on replacing the heater core, the process on it was very very extensive....taking the dash apart, gauge cluster, removing the e-brake handle!, and even dropping the steering column!

now when i went into the tech section of this site i found this...
https://www.thirdgen.org/heatercore

on here it explains how to change it but this explanation is considerably shorter then my book, but this is for a camaro iroc..

so my question is...is the process the same for a firebird as it is for a camaro

thank u

 

Follow the procedure in the Tech article. Camaro and Firebird procedure won't be much different if any at all.

The top bolts can be a bear, I have had good luck with a 1/4 in dr with a 12in extension (longer may help make it easier) with universal. if you look through the opening at the bottom of the dash about where your left knee would be you might be able to get the top bolts through there and not have to remove the dash pad.

One thing I would do is open the Haynes manual about the middle and then put it over the door sill for a little padding while you are leaning over it to change the core. With a little luck it will get torn to shreds, then go to Helm website and get a GM manual. Might cost a bit more but I think it was very well spent $$$

 

so if im reading u correct ur saying that the haynes maunual is no good huh?

im gonna have to go get a GM manual...where can i order one of those cuz i cant seem to find one

 

Haynes is...OK...

It gives the "official" way to replace the core, which is also the hours a repair shop will charge you by. When the reality is, they'll do it the Tech Article way, saving themselves a lot of work, and hours, meanwhile, your wallet gets lighter!

Just did mine on my 87 GTA, the same way I did my 90 RS & 92 RS...the easy way!

So yeah, just use the Tech Article. The Haynes manual is good for edge protection, as the other member suggested. Not much more!

 

Purely a personal opinion of Haynes manuals, There is IMO a lot of info Haynes doesn't give and a lot isn't very accurate. Chilton is a little better, My preference is the GM manual. I am guessing there are lot of others out there that will disagree with me.

I got mine from http://www.helminc.com they're not cheap but the one I got for my 89 was a photocopy of the same one the dealer uses. I think it was well spent cash.

I am not saying you HAVE to get a GM manual, Haynes manuals wiring diagrams are not as accurate as they should be and a lot of stuff they don't cover very well or at all. I have one for my F**D truck and I think they try to cover too many years in 1 book.

DO NOT GO OUT AND SPEND $75 because of my opinion, go to a Pontiac dealer and ask them if you can look through their manual (most that I have asked will) and compare for yourself.

 

u guys do make alot of sence tho cuz i see what your talking about how it makes a short job longer and it dosent cover some things...im just gonna spend a lil extra to get a good GM manual

nothings too good for my baby

 

Gotta say though...there are 1000 things more fun, than doing a heater core swap the "easy" way. Quicker? yes. Less work? Yes. PIA? YES, YES, YES

But, worth it come winter.