rivolution Posted May 24 Share Posted May 24 hi friends, The joys of 1st-gen heater core replacement have been covered here in past threads, and people either do it the traditional way (through the interior) or by cutting to enlarge the hole in the firewall and removing it from the engine side. I'm doing mine and was tempted to do it the firewall way but ended up going the traditional route. Now that I've got everything out, I can't see how the engine-side removal would have worked; the band and bar that hold the heater core in its housing are secured with screws from the interior-side of the car. How would these be removed from the engine side? Am I missing something obvious? thanks for any info. It's not important, i'm just curious Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XframeFX Posted May 25 Share Posted May 25 (edited) "1st Gen Heater Core Replacement (again)" Doing it for the 2nd time or the same topic again? I did mine twice, 33 years apart. The 1st time from the inside. Then through the firewall side last summer. 1 hour ago, rivolution said: I can't see how the engine-side removal would have worked; the band and bar that hold the heater core in its housing are secured with screws from the interior-side of the car. I was able to unscrew the top screw on the passenger side strap by reaching inside and turning the threads with a mini vice grip (blue arrow). Then I bent the strap out of the way to tilt the heater core out from behind the bail wire around the pipes on the drivers' side (last image). Once out, I removed the passenger side strap completely (lime arrows). With the re-core, installed in reverse of course but now no passenger side strap. Instead I threaded SS Safety Wire through the top screw hole and wrapped around the tank (blue arrow). 2nd last image with restored firewall and thick gasket If the engine wasn't in the way, I could gotten by with less firewall butchering around the pipes (fuchsia arrows) Edited May 25 by XframeFX (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted May 25 Share Posted May 25 (edited) I cut the metal band and upon re installation of the core I tightly spliced the band with plumbers tape. ( copper metal tape with holes pre drilled) Its been 4-5 years since repair so I have no leaks and warm air. Not the model of neat looking installation, but it serves the purpose. The enclosure firewall piece looks normal. PS THE engine was removed for rebuilding ( NO PLUMBERS TAPE on the rebuild) Edited May 25 by Turbinator (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rivolution Posted May 25 Author Share Posted May 25 Thanks for the explanation, guys. By "again", I meant both -- this topic has appeared several times on the forum, but also, I'm doing this for the 2nd time since I bought the car 22 years ago.🙄 XframeFX, it didn't occur to me that you could reach into the left side (heater bypass) hole and loosen at least the top screw of the band. That must have been really tight! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbinator Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 On 5/25/2024 at 2:54 PM, rivolution said: That must have been really tight! Not if you cut the band! Yeah, I know not SOP. Turbinator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atencioee Posted June 4 Share Posted June 4 Went through the inside approx 4 years ago. The dealer instructions I obtained from Jim were of tremendous value! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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