how the heck do i get the heater core off??

[Antelope]

I know the heater core is just bolted to the firewall, but where in the heck are the bolts i'm looking for ???? I thought replaciing it in my F250 was bad this looks like next to impossible. Am i suppose to be taking the dash off?? WOuld it save me any cuss words if i did??? It's an '89 GW.....tia

[Gwamp]

If you have AC, you will want to un-bolt it and get it out of the way. You will need to peel the carpet back and under everything you will find 2 or 3 7/16 (?) nuts on long studs fairly high up on the firewall. A deepwell socket works best to get them off.

[River Beast]

lots of your favorite beverage will ease the frustration as well if you have AC under the dash...sorry.... I've been bypassed for 2 years dreading the same job :D

[bvibert]

Once the AC is out of the way its really easy. I just don't know how hard it is to get the AC out of the way, though I've been told its easy. There is the two nuts in the engine bay and two inside behind the dash. I've done it many times to make it easier to get the exhaust manifold or the egine out.

[Antelope]

Wow if RIVERBEAST is dreading this job i can only imagine what my experience will be like. Thanks for the info though!

[CheapJeep]

Having just removed teh core from my parts truck, be forewarned that one of teh studs has a bracket bolted to it, and a SECOND nut behind it!
Scott

[jeepguzzi]

I can do this job in under an hour. Dropping the A/C/ unit is really pretty easy, all you need is to take out the short piece by the drivers side, take out the screws along the front edge, one screw at the back of the fan motor, and it should then drop out of the way enough to get to the nuts on the firewall.
I think riverbeast is putting it off for several reasons. Among these are: The job doesn't involve cutting, welding, or hitting stuff with a big hammer. He lives in Southern California. Who needs heat??? He is busy putting flares on the wag. He is busy taking the family on a visit to the emergency room. If he puts in a new heater core, it may increase the occurrence of vapor lock and then he has to ride with Riverbeauty.

[Bob Barry]

I've got the job down to under a half-hour (essential when it's under 20ºF outside where I have to do the work). Lower the A/C unit, undo the two inside nuts, undo the two outside nuts, remove the hoses, pull the box and separate, remove and replace the core, then put it all back together.