I am tackling a heater core replacement on my '87 Z/28 and I'm wondering if anyone has any tips for disconnecting the hoses from the heater core on the engine side of the firewall. There seems to be about one whole inch of room between the back of the block (305 TPI) and the firewall and I can't figure out how to get hands, fingers or tools in there to loosen the worm clamps so I can remove the hoses and proceed with the core change. Thanks.

 

my only tip is....keep your hands as dry as possible

you're right there is barely any room. i had to fight it...big time. and with hands drenched in coolant...slippery. not fun.

good luck though

 

Thanks for the reply. Would it be any easier from under the car?

 

Snips?

 

not at all. infact....it'd be infinitely more difficult.

unless your clamps are facing towards there....then maybe. i have no idea why they would be facing down though.

they're just the clamps you loosen/tighten with a philips right?

 

Yes, they are run of the mill clamps, it's twisting them off the old core and slipping them onto the new one that's the problem. I seem to have large hands. Oh well, time to get very scuffed up and scratched.

 

Remove the nut on the transmission mount stud, or bolt if aftermarket, then jack up the rear of the transmission as much as you can until it hits the underpan. By doing this, the engine will tilt forward, and hopefully just enough to make your life a bit easier. Even if its only an extra 1/2 inch or an inch. thats alot when you had none to begin with....lol