So, I tried all the little shortcuts to avoid removing the dash to get to the heater core. Unfortunately there's no way around it. The way it's positioned in the car its impossible to get to the heater core. So I started removing the dash last night and I finally got it off right after I lost daylight. I just hope the installation of the actual core is easier, but the holes where the hoses are coming out of are almost center, right next to the distributor. I'll take pictures and upload them as the process comes along.

Time so far in this project: 3 hrs.

 

You took the wrong shortcuts then, it took me maybe an hour - hour & a half, to take the dashpad off and replace the heater core entirely, plus put it all back together.

Having the right tools is a must, extenders etc, for going over the top. It was kindve a *****, but id have rather done that than take the entire dash off. And no it wasnt a hack job, it was just another way of completing the job.

 

Well... I guess it will be easy now to line up the hardpipes from the new core now since it's all exposed.

 

Yup. Sure enough, you guys were right.