Pneumatic_Tire

My heater core must have taken a dump. I found a big puddle of coolant on my passenger side floor. Grrrrrrrr...... Anyway, I never changed a heater core in a Camaro before, so is there any ways to do it quick? You know, trick of the trade stuff? Thanks guys!

splinter_cell

No quick way man, sorry Or if someone knows it they better let us know!!! I have done it on my 83 and 84 Z. It really isnt that bad as most people make it out to be. Its just the top two bolts that are a pain in the ***! There is not a lot of room up there. I just used a couple of extensions so I got it to barely clear the black cover. Then just connect the ratchet and loosen the screw. Once you get the cover off its cake from there. When I reinstalled everything I just left that screw out

Pneumatic_Tire

so what all do I have to remove to get to it? The lower right dash panel, and carpet, and center console?

splinter_cell

If you had to remove all that it would be a major pain in the ***! All you have to do is take of the lower dash panel. Then you will see a black cover. Just remove the black cover and then you can see the heater core. The heater core is held in place by this bracket thing. Instead of removing the carpet I just laid down a bunch of towels just incase there was more anti freeze. Make sure you clean the anti freeze up good too because if you dont get it, it will just sit there.

Pneumatic_Tire

Cool sounds easier than a ford heater core. I'll be sure to load up the towels. I had a fun time sopping up what already spilled. It was literally a pool under my floor mat. Couldn't even see it till I picked up some crap and the mat moved a little and I saw green. I knew right away this wouldn't be good.

slow_roc

think thats bad going to work one day mine went lol windshield started to fog and i smelled anitfreeze and thought ahh **** by the time i got to my work (roughly 3-4 blocks later ) there was a massive puddle of coolant in the passenger foot area... then on my lunch i jsut bypassed it and cleaned up the coolant so i could drive it boy was that fun

Pneumatic_Tire

No need to remove it. I got it out by simply minipulating a 1/4 in ratchet with a 3 inch extension up at the front of the heater core cover, and then twisting it forward and feeling it onto the screw with the other hand. I felt like gumby, but I succeded, and no, that bolt WILL NOT be going back on.

Pneumatic_Tire

dont ya love jobs like that? Haha/ Guess what else I found out about this car? For those who don't remember, I just bought it about 3 weeks ago, and came to notice today when refilling the coolant, it has no thermostat. Gee, I wonder why it runs like crap when cold. I bet the temp sensor can't relay an accurate reading to the ECM thanks to it.

splinter_cell

yup thats how I was. Glad to see you got it done okay

Scales

When I did the heater core in my 91 a couple months ago, I called around to see what I was getting myself into. Everyone quoted my about $800 and that it would be a minimum of an 8 hour job. Yeah, for $40 to buy the new core, I decided to do it myself! I agree that the top bolts were the hardest part by far, but ya just have to be creative with the extentions some times. This article helped out a ton! I didn't take out half the stuff he did, but it was nice to see where the bolts were hiding. I think it probably took me and a friend about 4 hours and that was with all the necessary union breaks and beer breaks!! Good luck man, and I hope the article helps. Trust me, it's not as bad as it looks!!!

http://www.sethirdgen.org/heater.htm

Pneumatic_Tire

Thanks guys, I already have it done though. Took me about 2hrs. It was alot simpler than I thought it would be.

Scales

Yeah, I just noticed you said you had success after I posted. Oh well, glad you got it figured out.

Pneumatic_Tire

yep. Thanks though!!!

Scales

No problem!