Well, after much haggling, I've finally managed to install my 2 core radiator I bought, so I'm on to the next step before I fire up the car again - The heater core.

My question is regarding where the heater hoses meet at the firewall. The Haynes manual I have mentions to unplug the heater hoses at the firewall before ripping the dash apart, but I notice there isn't mention of that in the tech article here. Does it matter? The reason I'm wondering is because the hoses seem pretty tightly in there, and it mentions being careful not to damage heater pipes (or something), so now I'm wondering what exactly I need to do before I go yanking on these things and breaking something.

Thanks!

 

If you are replacing the heater core it doesn't matter that much if you damage it.

But generally, if you can't get a pick inbetween the heater hose and the heater core pipes to loosen them off, it's better to cut the hose at the core inlets lengthwise to get them off. Sacrifice the hose to save the heater core.

 

Try using some channel locks to break the hoses loose from the pipe nipples. If need be, you can simply slit the hoses the length of the nipples.

JamesC

 

Shouldn't have to "rip the dash apart" - just take the underdash panel off pass side, twist your body into an unGodly form, reach up in there and get that last 7mm screw out of the top of the cover. You can't see it (your heads too big to get in there), but you can feel it - a 1/4" ratchet with a 3" extension and ALOT of patience will get to it.

 

replace the hoses too and clamps. i got my rad at kragen 109buck, aluminum 2 core

 

Ok, I still have one more question regarding this job before I can complete it, lol. I did things the "conventional" way I guess, and ripped my dash apart and such. I'm at the core, but it looks like I'm probably going to have to cut the hoses to get them off and get the core out (damn those stupid vice grip clamps!).

What I'm still wondering about, is that some people have said the trickiest part of the job is getting the core inlets through the firewall properly. Is there some special method to it? or do I just need to be very careful with it?

 

Ok, not to double post here, but holy freakin' frak! I'm now at the final tricky step of getting the new core in. The pipes and dimensions seem to be ok, but it won't fit! I can get the pipes to pop out at the firewall, but it refuses to fit all the way in so that I can bolt everything back up and finally put this thing back together. I've read that sometimes you need to bend the pipes slightly, but these ones are going through. What's going on here?

 

Just give it a firm push ! As long as the hose connections are thru the holes
in the firewall it just need a little coaxing to get it to seat in the heater box!

 

That's just it though, lol. Even with a firm push, it just pops back out. It's like it refuses to move enough to the side for the screw holes to line up properly. I feel like if I use any more force than I did, that I'm just gonna break things and make my situation worse! It seems like it's about 1/3 to 1/2 of an inch too wide or something.

 

Can you get it to seat against the heater box and have the hose connections
sticking thru the firewall if you hold/push the core by hand into place?

Mine also wouldn't stay in place by itself even with the metal holding clip/jig
piece in place. I just had a friend hold the core in place and hooked up the
core hoses to hold the core in place.

I then put the plastic heater box cover back in place...................

 

The pipes do stick out at the firewall, but I cannot get the the bolts to line up with the holes to screw it back in so it stays in, even while holding it with force.

I tried putting the old core in to see if I had the same issue, and I did not. I had to hold it a bit, but I could get it to bolt back in without issues. The old core itself looks slightly different than the new one, and the old one's pipes look slightly bent at the tips, but I dunno. Maybe the new one I have is just crappy stuff that doesn't fit right. I've been sold a V6 radiator hose on accident before, so I'm about ready to try buying a different core to see if it fits better.

 

I just did my 92 Z had all the same issues I finally got it all together just took LOTS OF PATIENCE. I had to remove all the dash, console, and seats. Took a whole lot more of my Camaro apart than I wanted to. About 14 hours for me start to finish. Good luck

 

my heater cores been out for almost 2 weeks now... and i am still waiting for orileys to find one that will work, so far we have tryed 4 and non of them will even mount up to the heater core backing plate, so today i have a feeling i'll be zip tieing a heater core in lol.

 

I got mine from napa, the fit was not perfect but I got it all to work. Did you have to remove your dash completely? LOL

 

i couldn't get my replacement to attach to the bracket either, but i wouldnt worry about it. use some of the foam weatherstripping on it to make sure its not rubbing against anything and bolt it back up. I've checked a few different companies and none were exactly the same as the OE, but the small difference was not going to make any difference in the usability of the part. Yeah, it stinks, but I there are other areas I'd rather spend my time wrestling with....

 

I just put a new heater core in my 91 Camaro, the only one I could find that was shaped like the original was from NAPA .

 

The guys at orileys ordered like 8 heater cores for camaros, firebirds, trans ams of a lot of years, non of them where like the OE... I installed the one for 92 camaro and it fits in there with a little wrestling... gotta have someone hold the heater core while you put on the hoses, then go around and install the rest of plastics... BUT the heater core i got had a pice of paper in it saying... "this part will not work with factory brackets, just place plastic houseing behide heater core and use supplyed foam around heater core to prevent damage" I know i misspelled a few words but i was just reading n typeing lol.

 

I've had mine installed for a week or so. None of the replacement heater cores I've found out there are exactly like OEM, but are close. With some help from someone and some wrestling with it, I managed to get it in and everything back together. Broke a small piece of plastic from the heater vent duct, but put it back together, duct tape style

I'm still having some interesting, mixed results from all the new cooling system parts I've installed. Ran it once, and it didn't overheat, but the upper radiator hose didn't get hot (except near the thermostat opening, maybe the t-stat is a dud?), and the air coming out of the vents barely heat up, even with the heater on full blast. Perhaps it needs to be bled?

The well used battery on this thing finally bit the dust, so I'll have to get a new one here before I can continue figuring it out.