What have I gotten myself into..?
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From: north Jersey
What have I gotten myself into..?
The latest (and hopefully last) repair to my money pit VIII was replacing a dreaded heater core. Naturally, my buddy and I felt it would be a good idea to start at 11PM, on Christmas.
Here's some carnage shots: (mobile device quality)
Not as terrible as I initially feared. I sorted everything across the garage in chronological disassembly order, with all hardware bagged up. Brilliant idea, as this made reassembly a much simpler process. Hopefully It'll be all finished up tonight before this winter storm.
At least I'll FINALLY be able to defrost my windshield.
Field notes so far:
Not a very difficult process, but it is very time consuming and annoying. Only basic tools are needed. Sorting hardware is a MUST. If you have room (which I had minimal) try and sort in the order you removed, with corresponding hardware near by.
Here's some carnage shots: (mobile device quality)
Not as terrible as I initially feared. I sorted everything across the garage in chronological disassembly order, with all hardware bagged up. Brilliant idea, as this made reassembly a much simpler process. Hopefully It'll be all finished up tonight before this winter storm.
At least I'll FINALLY be able to defrost my windshield.
Field notes so far:
Not a very difficult process, but it is very time consuming and annoying. Only basic tools are needed. Sorting hardware is a MUST. If you have room (which I had minimal) try and sort in the order you removed, with corresponding hardware near by.
Last edited by slimjim1804; Dec 26, 2012 at 11:22 AM.
Good luck and stay strong 
.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2012
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From: north Jersey
And it's finished.
Took me and two of my friends pretty much two days. Granted only one of us is a formally trained experienced mechanic, and we we working at a comfortable, casual pace. Realistically, we three could have done it in ten hours or so. We ended up swapping some other interior bits around and installing a used short throw that had to be transferred over from a stripped out shifter box. It was also done in a freezing cold garage that was partially flooded. Unfortunately I didn't get any other "in process" pictures, but I'll add some field notes, and I'm willing to answer questions anyone might have.
1. its simpler than you think. its just very time consuming.
2. this idea (somewhat unintentionally) proved to be very useful: if you have adequate space, line up removed pieces in order of how they were removed. Use plastic bags to sort the hardware associated with the removed item. When you're finished, follow the line in reverse. It helps jog your memory IME. Order takes the intimidating aspect out of a pile of parts and bolts.
3. We didn't take my steering wheel off, instead we lifted the dash over the steering wheel. Don't do this. I ended up taking a few small bits of leather off the top of the wheel. Learn from my error.
4. if you're interior is in good shape\you're picky about the condition of your seats, remove them. You'll be doing a good bit of inevitable bolster riding and these seats are notorious for bolster wear and flattening. Also, you'll have dirty grimy hands, you'll likely contact your seats a few times, so tossing towels over them is a good idea. (I've got a spare set of seats so I wasn't all that concerned, these will be steam cleaned when I swap the others in.)
5. Be very very careful when removing the big "heater box" with the core inside, if you're heater core was stinking, it was leaking. I was very careful, but had a few minor coolant drips.
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Took me and two of my friends pretty much two days. Granted only one of us is a formally trained experienced mechanic, and we we working at a comfortable, casual pace. Realistically, we three could have done it in ten hours or so. We ended up swapping some other interior bits around and installing a used short throw that had to be transferred over from a stripped out shifter box. It was also done in a freezing cold garage that was partially flooded. Unfortunately I didn't get any other "in process" pictures, but I'll add some field notes, and I'm willing to answer questions anyone might have.
1. its simpler than you think. its just very time consuming.
2. this idea (somewhat unintentionally) proved to be very useful: if you have adequate space, line up removed pieces in order of how they were removed. Use plastic bags to sort the hardware associated with the removed item. When you're finished, follow the line in reverse. It helps jog your memory IME. Order takes the intimidating aspect out of a pile of parts and bolts.
3. We didn't take my steering wheel off, instead we lifted the dash over the steering wheel. Don't do this. I ended up taking a few small bits of leather off the top of the wheel. Learn from my error.
4. if you're interior is in good shape\you're picky about the condition of your seats, remove them. You'll be doing a good bit of inevitable bolster riding and these seats are notorious for bolster wear and flattening. Also, you'll have dirty grimy hands, you'll likely contact your seats a few times, so tossing towels over them is a good idea. (I've got a spare set of seats so I wasn't all that concerned, these will be steam cleaned when I swap the others in.)
5. Be very very careful when removing the big "heater box" with the core inside, if you're heater core was stinking, it was leaking. I was very careful, but had a few minor coolant drips.
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That looks like NO fun at all lol. I am glad to hear it is atleast not all that difficult. The heater core in my friends car been out this whole winter, I offered to help him change it but he has no interest in doing anything remotely like this any time soon lol.
Is All up and running properly?
Is All up and running properly?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 246
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From: north Jersey
Originally Posted by 01 Trans-Am WS6
That looks like NO fun at all lol. I am glad to hear it is atleast not all that difficult. The heater core in my friends car been out this whole winter, I offered to help him change it but he has no interest in doing anything remotely like this any time soon lol.
Is All up and running properly?
Is All up and running properly?
That's a good suggestion on getting replacement clips beforehand, I hadn't considered that.
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From: Grand Island, NE
I remember when I had mine apart. One day after it was all back together, as I was driving along, a big screw fell out and landed in the driver's footwell. I looked but never could find where it came from.
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From: north Jersey
Originally Posted by barneyb
I remember when I had mine apart. One day after it was all back together, as I was driving along, a big screw fell out and landed in the driver's footwell. I looked but never could find where it came from.
We were pretty meticulous regarding hardware use and installation.
I haven't even driven it yet, just ran it and burped the coolant.
Where its currently parked is blocked in by iced over snow, I don't see my bumper staying intact if I opt to drive over / through it.
I've got a long day shoveling tomorrow...
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I've been putting off fixing mine for about 6 months. I have the replacement core. But I just can't be bothered. I am in Miami so it's not a life or death situation, but it would be nice to have it in. Thanks for the advice!
