Thats gotta be it. But thanx Comaro_Hunter_d for the tip about the intake tube. I noticed today that the carpet on the passenger side was soaked. Thats the heater core right? Am I screwed? How long does this take to do my self? Is it easy? Hoe much is this gonna set me back? Any advice would be aperciated

 

well after you take apart the dash its not that hard...
but for a shop to do it will be alot...

 

well sorry to hear about theheater core...you might be able to get to it by taking the top dash pad off then see what you got left...you will also want to take apart the fan housing in the engine compartment. though I would replace that metal coolant tube...All I did to break mine completely off was touch it...the aluminum does not handle the high heat for many years....of course drain the coolant as well....

 

you dont have to even fo inside the car, let alone take ou the dash, take off the black cover in the egnine compartment, as far as prices, expect from 30 to 70. depends where you are, new or used

 

Lov2x is a little.. erm.. I have no idea what he thinks your problem is..

Anyway, you don't have to take out the dash if you're agile.. you can work on it laying backwards on the seat with it fully reclined like a true camaro mechanic.. of course if you like your back, it'll suck, but it's still tradition. (personally, the hassle of taking out the dash is far worse). The metal coolant lines in the engine compartment must vary in condition from car to car, cuz mine were solid.
There's always the quick fix if you're in a jam and it's warm where you are.. the heater core bypass! Yes folks, with a few feet of tubing, a 5/8-1/2 adapter, and some patience in getting it right (NO KINKS. KINKS BAD), you too can have your very own bypassed heater core! Just install 5/8" heater hose onto water pump, bring it around the normal hose's path (note need for extra hose to make the bend without kinking the hose), add adapter to 1/2", attach 1/2" tubing to other part of water pump.. tada!
(NOTE NOTE NOTE - I haven't performed this operation in many many moons now, and it COULD be 3/4"-5/8" instead of 5/8"-1/2".. someone please verify)

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'86 Camaro SC, black /w silver racing stripes
2.8l MPFI/700r4 /w special 2nd gear delete option
In search of new v8 engine & transmission, now contemplating t5 swap to get me out of this mess.
Misc Mods: Cut air box, '83 Firebird spoiler.
Performance Parts: MSD coil, Accel 8mm wires, SplitFire plugs, Gabriel hijackers.
Audio Mods: Pioneer DEH-P3000, two 12" Optimus Pro Audio subs in hand-made enclosure each powered by a 260 watt Optimus amp. Working on shaving the box for weight.
My Homepage, with pics.

 

Better.
Go to plumbing store. Get copper bends to create a 90 degree fitting. Get it made by one that has Bunson Burner & flux for copper. Go get this stuff for about $3 at plumbing store. Heck they may even make it for ya!
Get it in 1/2" size.Get new clamps and separte hose, where ya wanna. Put in, clamp, test (Drive), you're done.
NOW Heater core. Call 800-831-0884 for the core (Northern Auto Parts). I paid about $40-50 for NEW ONLY NEW cores.
Find out how to install it in your car.
Oh, it's a major pain in the a$$ but, if you keep adding water, you are looking at scolding hot water, dumping into your car, at any time & stranding ya, too.
It can happen!
Get it on the to do list real quick. Real quick.
You'll will be on your back for a while. Buy new clamps and hoses. It's all common sense & a safety issue.
You do not want to kill your engine, because a hose broke that was cheaper to buy then a new engine.
Pretest your new core.
99% of the radiator shops will do it for free.
I've gotten new cores with little loose pipes & such. I get them repaired for free.(reimburesed by the manufacture).
I've done my 1967 Camaro (easiest), 1985 S-10 Blazer (gotta do it again, I made the 90*fitting for this purpose), difficult, 1974 Corvette (almost the most difficult), 1975 Opel (can do it in your sleep) and the worst of all time, 1970 BMW 2002. I still curse the engineer that designed that system.
You'll have fun.
But, no fun, if it goes while you're on the road.

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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

I had that done on my '84 camaro. Don't go to a shop. It'll cost about $500. At least it did for me.(too much, i know) I live in Massachusettes where everything is expensive so it'll probably be cheaper everywhere else. All money blown on a car thats dying anyway. I'll go pity myself somewhere else now L8R,
Mike

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1984 Black 2.8L LC1 Camaro SC
mods: 160* thermostat, CAI, stock V8 2 1/2" dual exhaust, Bosch Platinum +4, 8mm Accel wires, GTS taillight blackouts, Cool Blue headlights

 

You guys think that's bad... I swapped a heater core on a Geo Storm. The whole frickin' dash had to come out- and I mean the whole dash! We could see the firewall behind the dash, the steering column was resting on the driver's seat, etc.. what a nightmare. I'll never whine about the f-body heater core again!

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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

 

yah its going to cost me $350 to go to a shop. I like my ankles and all, but not that much. So....I guess I'll have to do the heater core bypass till I can get a chance to sell a kidney or two.

 

Hardware store, copper pipes are about $2
The Core, I gave ya a number, ask them for the price.
Rest is hoses, etc.
NOT TO MUCH, but cheaper than being stranded.
When you do this, take your time, don't rush. If it takes, two days, let it.

------------------
Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

 

i had the same problem when i first got my car. i noticed a small drip of the slimy stuff on the passenger side floor and blew it off for some spilled coke or something. but then like a few days later it started getting worse and my whole car smelled like sh*t (anti-freeze), the whole thing cost me $700. the heater core thing was a while ago, but this weekend i was driving and i smelled antifreeze and notice that my engine was heating up really fast so i stopped and noticed a puddle underneath the car and antifreeze all over my engine. Well when i started my engine up it started shooting out my heater control valve. that was a lot of fun to fix to. but, since im a little smarter now, that i was when my core blew, i did it myself for all of like $13.

 

Luke, actually I think there's a tech article in the tech section specifically on how to swap the heater core.. A new core shouldn't cost more than 25 bucks from Checker.. hoses are an additional 5-10 (custom formed hoses required for metal pipe to heater core).. don't go to a shop.. it's not worth it. If you're willing to pay that much for it, I'll come up to Phx and do it for you for $200 =P

Edit: Now that I think about it, why do you need a heater core anyway? You're in the middle of the desert... in summer.

------------------
'86 Camaro SC, black /w silver racing stripes
2.8l MPFI/700r4 /w special 2nd gear delete option
In search of new v8 engine & transmission, now contemplating t5 swap to get me out of this mess.
Misc Mods: Cut air box, '83 Firebird spoiler.
Performance Parts: MSD coil, Accel 8mm wires, SplitFire plugs, Gabriel hijackers.
Audio Mods: Pioneer DEH-P3000, two 12" Optimus Pro Audio subs in hand-made enclosure each powered by a 260 watt Optimus amp. Working on shaving the box for weight.
My Homepage, with pics.

[This message has been edited by TechSmurf (edited April 23, 2001).]