I am attempting to replace the heater core in my 87 GTA myself. I am not completely clueless, but I want to know what the easiest way to go about this is. Any help would be much appreciated.

 

Depends upon how you define "easy".

Easiest for the actual removal and reinstallation of the core is to remove the dash.

Easiest for least parts taken off is to leave the dash in place and play contortionist.

Easiest overall is probably somewhere in the middle. Remove dash pad, loosen but not completely remove the dash and hold it up out of your way with bungie cords, R&R the core.

 

now how exactly do I remove the dash and all that?

 

Lotsa bolts and screws and cussing.
Look at this, it should give you some idea of how to change it http://www.hioutput.com/tech/heatercore.html

 

yah i've had to do it twice in my car unfortunately...but i think the second time it was something else and i was just being paranoid

but anyway...to get the top bolt on the cover that houses the heater core i remember taking A LOT of different extensions and rigging up 2-3 foot extension that had just enough flex where i could squeeze it up in there and get to it just perfectly.....good luck

 

Thanks for all the help, I'll tear into it more tomorrow morning.

 

I just did this a couple months ago . The best piece of advice was taking out the passenger seat gave my 6'-2" frame lots of room to work with. It took me a little over 2 hrs to replace the heater core and reassemble everything. Granted this was on a 1992. For that last screw which is the only pain in the but item in the entire job. I removed partial of the upper dash . Then I loosened a white box thats about the size of 3" x 5" slid that down , took a 10" extension and a 4" extension and undid the screw. Its not really as hard as its made to sound just take your time and it should come out quite easy

Dynodan

 

It took me 30 minutes to change the heater core on my 91 GTA... The only parts you have to take off are the bottom plastic cover on the passenger side... Then, using one of those flexible nut drivers (how did I live without this little guy before?!), you can get all of the little screws out (yes, even that top one) fairly easily... Hardest part of the entire project is separating the hoses from the core in the engine compartment (if they've been on there forever)..

 

I was able to get those hoses off ina jiff I just crushed the old cores tube with pliers slip right off.

Dynodan

 

what is that white box? would an 86 have it too? so you can see that top screw from under the dash pad?