How hard is it to change the heater core? I’ve looked at the manual and it sounds like I have to disassemble the interior of my car.

Your advice? Hire it out?

Thanks!


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Mark,
1992 WS6 Trans Am,305 TPI
Wenatchee, WA

 

Check the technical articles.

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91 Formula
305 TPI 5speed
1LE/G92/WS6
Custom K&N cold air intake, SLP airfoil, ported & hi-polished plenum, March pulleys, TB coolant bypass, 180* stat, Crane AFPR (47psi),94 octane,Crane Extruded Alum. 1.6 full roller rockers, Timing set from 4*BTDC to 10*BTDC,MSD coil,MSD6AL, Holley 9mm Annihilator Laser shot 50 wires, Ac Delco cap,rotor and plugs, Bosch O2sensor, SLP 1 5/8 headers,SLP catback,3:73s,JET 195* fan switch, Macewen white face gauges, Autometer gauges, Zoom hi-performance clutch.
Street legal with stock throttle body, runners,intake manifold,cam, and heads.

 

i don't know what your car looks like in the inside but in my 86 camaro it was real easy. the hardest part was getting those damn hoses off the old core and a screw that was almost impossible to get to. just read the articles in this site and buy new fitted hoses

 

Thanks! I didn't know about the Tech articles. It did help somewhat and doesn’t sound too bad.

This is a great web site. I appreciate any advice.

 

Here is an article with a few pics. Hope it helps. Heater Core


P.S. from what I hear, '89 and later are a little more involving. This article was done on an '87. I hope it helps some.

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If you live in Southeastern US, check us out!
South East Thirdgen


ASE Master Tech + L1
Savannah, GA

'87 Trans Am
S/D TPI retrofit including functional PassKey, 22# injectors,
JET AFPR, Ported Plenum,
TB Coolant Bypass, Custom Cold Air,
SSM SFC, KYB Shocks, Boxed LCAs, Wonder Bar,
8mm Accel wires,
Flowmaster Exhaust,
16" GTA rims,
Corvette Servo,
-->14.97 @ 94.9 MPH<--

'97 Bonneville SSE

[This message has been edited by GMTech (edited January 07, 2001).]

 

Thanks !!! Great article at sethirdgen.org/heater.htm
I like the photos and detailed instructions.

My old Chilton’s manual say’s has two options for replacing a heater core. 1982 to 1986 is a simple change. 1987 to 1992 is the harder more interior gutting method required due to some kind of change as illustrated at the SE Third-Gen web site.

The old Chilton’s manual just doesn’t say very much about how to do it.

Thanks for the help!



------------------
Mark,
1992 WS6 Trans Am,305 TPI
Wenatchee, WA

 

Has anyone had it replaced by the dealer?
How much did it cost?
Did they do a good job?


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Mark,
1992 WS6 Trans Am, 305 TPI, Automatic
Flow-Pro exhaust system.
Central Washington State

 

Its too easy to let the dealer do it. I did mine. Roughly 4 hours of work.. it helps a lot if you remove the passenger seat.

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91 Trans Am WS6
Bright White
5.0 TPI auto
Flowmaster 3" 2 chamber catback
Trans Go shiftkit
2000 stall converter

Built on Wednesday

 

I did mine saturday. Took a couple of hours.

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Zepher
'86 Pontiac Trans Am WS6, LG4 305, 5 Speed, CF DF Clutch,
Edelbrock 1406 Carb, Edelbrock Performer RPM 7101 Intake Manifold.
Edelbrock Open Element Air Cleaner: Flowmaster Exhaust, 160* Thermostat,
Grant GT Steering Wheel, MSD HEI Coil, Taylor 8mm Wires, Leather 96 Camaro SS Seats,
Alpine CD+Changer,Alpine V12 Amps, Premier TS-1040C Subs, Polk Audio highs/mids.
Best ET: 14.94@91.67
High Speed Run: 157mph
WS6 Trans Am