How much of a pain is it to replace the heater core in an 84' Z28? Should I set asisde an entire week-end or just an afternoon?

I assume I have to take apart the entire dash, no?

 

Just the weekend. Lay down the passenger seat, and lie down on it. Head in the floorboard. Take everything off the bottom, and reach up elbow deep. It will come out that way. Took me about 2 hours to do it, but it worked.

 

afternoon

i did one in my 84 didnt take dash apart just get that top bolt thats the only problem other than that its easy oh let the car cool off first

 

Read my post all the way threw dude, i was BS'ing him. If you look I said only about 2 hours!

 

I just did one as well, and some advice, prior to installing a new heater core, test it out to make sure there is no leak and have a second person guide the pipes through the firewall. I did the installation myself and used 2 3/8 extensions to align the pipes then went back in and pushed the heater core in place. I walked away with a job well done and a few scratches on the arm and a sore neck.

 

Cool, thanks guys. I was hoping not to spend too much time out in the garage, there is no heat and it's pretty chilly up here in the great white north. Now all I need is a half-decent warm day.

 

Some manuals say to start on the driver's side and work your way across. These guys showed me a better way. It will all come out of the passenger side but you have to be aware of the one screw that is located at the top of the heater box. You'll have to remove it blind, but it's not that big of a deal, and it's easier than doing it the way the book says.

 

Yeah, dont take out teh dash. Get a small socket and u-joint to reach that one upper bolt. I actaully pulled my carseat so I could fit in. Made it much easier to change out the core.

 

i just did this a few eeeks ago...its pretty simple but it is just a lengthy process...you'll need a 7mm socket and some extentions for the very top screw...i left it out for future head aches

 

I got to the top screw by taking off the dash pad and removing the passenger side speaker. Made it much easier. I also unbolted the dash and just pulled it out a few inches. Did not remove it though. Just made it easier for my fat fingers.

That was on my '92 Camaro. But now the '87 T/A needs it. I'm hoping it's a little easier on the earlier models.

 

Not because of year but the T/A will be just a little easier. Its because the Firebird interior has a trim strip at the bottom of the dash on the passenger side that pops out. You'll be making the dash about 3" "shorter" from top to bottom, easier to get at the screws then.

 

It's not the worst job you'll ever do. Actually, it took me longer to get the heater hoses off and on to my satisfaction than it did to R&R the core itself.

 

The following link may be helpful:

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=210395

JamesC

 

mine took 4 hours, just a real PITA, have to take it out and re-bend it a few times.

 

Ain't that the truth...after 15 years those hoses get very stubborn.

 

thats actually how I broke my heater core in the first place, being too rough with those hoses