Some help needed in replacing my heater core. Where do I start? I've done many a heater core on other cars including disassembling the entire dash right down to the firewall, so I'm not afraid of the job. What I'm afraid of is to ruin any of the plastic parts I see (and don't see).

My shop manual is useless in the disassembly. Has anyone out there done this job on their 1987 C-4? Any step by step instructions would certainly help. Thanks.

Which shop manual do you have? The Haynes is pointless, period. The Helm Factory Service manual is the right one to have.

I have done this... and it's just a lot of disassembly.

In general:

1. Remove all plastic trim from the dash and console.
2. Remove the breadbox dash pad thing. It's screwed in from behind and is a bitch to reach.
3. Same goes with the right knee bolster.

Basically, as you get deeper and deeper into the dash, the heater box will show itself.

There are a few screws that cover the core, remove same and there she is.

Hmmmmmm, must be contagious. I've just discovered that I'm going to have to do the same to my '85. I assume there is no more/less work involved in any of the early C4 years, correct? I do have a FSM, and it seems to lay it out pretty well. Just a lot of disassembly.

Quote:

Yep, just a lot of disassembly and patience required! I replaced the core on my '93 last year, and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I did a lot of research on various forums, and with the aid of the FSM it went really well.
I did come across a 'fastguy' method for replacing the HC in earlier C-4's, which didn't involve removing the dash. It may be on the computer at home, and I'll look and see if I can find it...

Here's a link that may be useful...
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-te ... heater-core-and-more.html

Thanks all for the rapid responses. And the lead to the fast guy article. And solving where the bolts are to get that big passenger bolster thing off. Although I may not have to remove it, it seems like I'll have a little more working room. I've taken a bit from here and a bit from there and I think that I'm ready to go. It seems like I will have to adjust as I go to suit the size of my hands, arms, and tools.

I'm going to document it all with my digital still camera and voice recorder, and maybe my digital video recorder. I'll post the results.

FYI I have the factory shop manual. It doesn't discuss the removal of the bolster or plastic parts.

I pretty much followed the FSM when I did mine. I didn't see where it said to remove the bread box, bread loaf, or what ever, and I didn't. I don't see how that would have helped much. The removal of the dash pad (as instructed) made access easier and let light in. I think the main difference in "The Fast Guy" method is the removal of the seat. I didn't, but I can see where that could make access easier. It was a pain, but hopefully it is done for the next 20 years. If I have to do it again, then, I will consider the "Jeb Barnett" method. Sawzall.

RACE ON!!!