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B
Standard Member
Send PMJoined: 12/3/2007
Posts: 292
Vette(s): 1978 Corvette Light Blue
Pulled from the swamps of Miami!
Its a driver and back on the road!
In my prior post of my intentions of taking the dash cover off and seeing what the original dash looks like it was mentioned while I have the dash off to replace the heater core?
I sort have not been paying attention to prior posts on heat inside the car but took a ride last week and the northeast temps were in the 100's. A one hour drive was very uncomfortable and I was trying to put the heater core and past post about stopping the heat entering the inside of the car with heat shields.
So here is my question?
I have a valve in the engine compartment to shut off the flow of hot watter to the heater inside the car for summer. I mostly dirve the car spring and fall and have no problems with being warm inside the car. .... so if everyone is complaining about the heat why would I bother replacing the heater core if we all have too much heat inside????
First I do not know if the heater core is actually more than what it says maybe it controls the vent air and a/c air also as a controller I do not know but if it only produces heat don't we have enough of it inside the car already???
Isn't that why everyone is ripping up the carpet and installing heat shields and to the firewall????
Just wondering why replace the heater core? Also my fan switch is not working so I will have to check the fuse and wiring. I t did work but I notice the book calls it the heater fan switch. To me it operates the fan no matter what??Heater and Air or vent? is this true or am I wrong.
Ok sorry for being so long but just need to get a good answer on the heater core because I will be pulling the dash off. Thanks BB78
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The reason to change the heater core if never changed and you are in the area, would be preventive in nature. If you get a leak in the heater core it will leak antifreeze inside on the passenger side carpet. Some people installed a mechanical valve to shutoff one side of the water flow to the heater core because the fan runs all the time and you would get some heat from that area. if the vacum shutoff valve is working correctly the mechanical valve would not change anything. I made shure my valve was working and added a second vacum valve on the other hose just incase heat traveled into heater core.
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Your heater core is like a small radiator. It has antifreeze running through it to heat up the core itself then the fan blows air across it to push the air into the vents. Now, the reason for replacement is that it is a Bi
h to change. If you are anywhere close to having everything removed I would STRONGLY recommend a replacement. The core itself is probably only around 60 -75 bucks. The grief to replace it once everything is back together is or can be overwhelming! Cars with AC are harder to do then those without. Once it leaks it will drip into the passenger side floor and could (probably will) ruin the carpet. You could always shut of the coolant going to it from under the hood should you decide not to replace at this point and it starts to leak, However if you ever need to replace it now would be the best time. Good luck and let us know what you decided.
Rodney
h to change. If you are anywhere close to having everything removed I would STRONGLY recommend a replacement. The core itself is probably only around 60 -75 bucks. The grief to replace it once everything is back together is or can be overwhelming! Cars with AC are harder to do then those without. Once it leaks it will drip into the passenger side floor and could (probably will) ruin the carpet. You could always shut of the coolant going to it from under the hood should you decide not to replace at this point and it starts to leak, However if you ever need to replace it now would be the best time. Good luck and let us know what you decided.Rodney
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Look, I know you may say that you won't use the heat, but sooner or later you will. Ask anyone who went to Corvettes for Chip last year! Believe me, I was SOOO glad my car had heat! It also helps the defroster on those cool, misty, mornings. You're going this far, why not fix things while you can? It will also help the resale of the car if you ever want to sell it. I don't know about you, but I want EVERYTHING on my car to work as it did when new. I'm just anal that way. Close isn't good enough. Oh, I do have a cutoff valve for summer (helps the A/C) but I know heat is just a few turns away! It's your car and you can do what you want, but I'd replace the heater core.
Jaws79 2011-08-01 17:00:43
Barry
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Replacing the heater core is not that bad if you already have the dash apart.Redwingvette 2011-08-01 17:56:33
I decided to change mine just because I did not know how old is was. When I got it out I was glad I did. It had started a very small leak and probably would have been all over my interior later that year.
I use heater to defrost the windshield in the early spring and late fall just to clear the windshield of the dew and fog.
Brian - NCM Lifetime Member
73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System
Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
Borgeson Steering box
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Lifetime Member
Send PMLemon Grove, CA - USA
Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2042
Vette(s): 1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.
I would make the heater core and the dash in your case one and the same repair effort. If you feel like the heater core is ok and you are not interested in starting to work on your dash then leave them both alone. I know I gave you a long email on replacing the dash and if you got everything you need and someone to help you for a few hours the complete job is only a couple of Saturdays. It just I did not do it that way I started then decided the heater core needed replacement and then I posts were cracked and so on and so on. By the time I started putting it back together I had forgotten how things when back together almost.
It was an ugly baby because I did not plan it. Plan it and two Saturdays and you are done.When you decide it is time to get it done.
tb2k82ce 2011-08-01 22:53:44
It was an ugly baby because I did not plan it. Plan it and two Saturdays and you are done.When you decide it is time to get it done.
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Just don't start the project the week before a show!!!!! I always get in trouble with that!!!
Barry
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B
Standard Member
Send PMJoined: 12/3/2007
Posts: 292
Vette(s): 1978 Corvette Light Blue
Pulled from the swamps of Miami!
Its a driver and back on the road!
Thanks for all the info I appreciate it. I will probably tackle the dash and core this fall.I just wanted some info on the heat issue. Did not know if mine is coming from the core or its the firewall/flooring where all the heat pours through. It's not been too bad but when it reached 100 in the northeast it was a hot one for just an hour ride.... Being a driver I'm sure the core is ready to let loose so I agree with the since everything is out dash off change the core. Just wanted to know how much was involved. As usual once yo have done one it goes a whole lot better and faster. Again thanks for the info and will let yo know when that happens. For now just enjoying the summer after the tire blow out!!!! It really runs nice and a nice ride with 4 new tires on her. Just don't look at the right rear panel. OK Thanks again BB78
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Babyblue - thanks for making this a current topic...I too will be doing the heater core dance this fall. Brian - thanks for the photo documentary of the replacement - that will come in super handy. Mine already peed in my car - fortunately most of it ended up on my floor mats, not the carpet. So we have already preformed bypass surgery - transplant scheduled for this fall/winter.
LIFETIME MEMBER # 191Be the first to like this post
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2
Just removed my heater core and found a broken part.. imagine that... anyone know where I can buy one like it or I'll have to make something... don't trust glue ... and don't want to ever take it apart again 
I t fits the flapper door that i believe directs air to the floor or Def.
Not sure but attached is a picture of the part
In this picture it is just behind the wire bundle attached to the door
Tnx,
Ray
I t fits the flapper door that i believe directs air to the floor or Def.
Not sure but attached is a picture of the part
In this picture it is just behind the wire bundle attached to the door
Tnx,
Ray
Lifetime Member #86
USN 1966-1970
WestPac 67-68 Tet I&II
Featured in Corvette Enthusiast Aug 2007 "Shark Attack"
Blue Green *** 454,4 Spd, Dark Saddle Leather, A/C, AM-FM St. (orig), PW, Tilt -Tele Wheel"
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USN 1966-1970
WestPac 67-68 Tet I&II
Featured in Corvette Enthusiast Aug 2007 "Shark Attack"
Blue Green *** 454,4 Spd, Dark Saddle Leather, A/C, AM-FM St. (orig), PW, Tilt -Tele Wheel"
(click to see a bigger image)
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in Forum: C3 HVAC, Fuel, Emissions, and Exhaust
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