Heater core!

I had smoke coming out the vents, took it to a mechanic and he said it was the heater core. 80 buck for the part 260 in labor with antifreeze it would be 3 hundred something. I went out and got A heater core for 85 bucks and took only two hours.

What im trying to say is, its so easy do it your self. plus its my first heater core job.

I'll be doing mine here in a couple weeks too. It's on the "Using my whole tax refund for wagon stuff" list.

Its really not that bad of a job, even easier if you pull the passenger seat. Just gotta make sure that box seals up or come summer you'll have a wet carpet.

I had a lot of trouble with that screw that was up against the firewall, didn't fit any usual wrench sizes, and was in a space too narrow to fit a crescent wrench.

ha ha. I know that screw. I didnt put it back. I know I should to keep a good seal. It was hard to put the cover back on because of all the new wires for the blower fan, someone added a switch.

I had to use a 1/4" swivel head on that one, taped the screw onto it until it got started. For the one that is up against the padding I used an open end wrench from a carb tune up kit.

I left it off too.

Used a flex drive on a ratcheting screw driver.

i left it off too. funny thing is on tbi it's different size than LT1 cars. One was 5.5 mm the other was 6mm. I can't recall which was which anymore.... I've done one each...



ditto on taking out the passenger seat. All the difference in the world and only 6 bolts/nuts...

Congrats on fixing it yourself Carl,feels pretty damn good dont it?
Jim

Feels great. thanks.

The TBI wrench size is 7mm. I use a long 1/4 drive socket, short socket to screwdriver adapter, and an 8mm battery terminal ratchet (fits the hex screwdriver bit) for the screw against the firewall. You should put both of the screws in, or you will have a wet carpet when you use the AC.