Anyone replace on in the FB yet? How hard is it? I just noticed a small amount of coolant under the passenger side carpet. I can't find any info on the heater core in the haynes manual. The glove box is out and the panel below. I don't think it matters but this is a GSL-SE model.

 

it is hell to do. I have an '82 that I did this to (only to find out that it was the heater controll valve on the side, not even my core) not long ago, and it took 3 days of pure hell to finish. if you can afford to, pay someone else to do it

 

Humm, heater core, not one the easiest jobs to do. In total it took about five hours.
we even had to do it twice, because it had some hose leaks. so when you do it make sure everything is tight........lol

 

Yikes.. bring her over to the mother in laws this weekend and we'll tear into it chad.

 

heres what it looked like when i got all done. i desided to paint some of the parts blue.

 

I was looking at CodeBlue's photo and just wanted to note that I think it is easier to remove the whole subframe vs just the dash pad. With the dashpad removed you can get your hands in more places but if you need to remove the box that the heater core is in, the sub frame is still in the way.

For those that may not know the dashpad is bolted to the subframe so it comes out in one piece.

 

Do't tell me I have to remove the dash! Ouch............................ I might have to bypass the heater and do it later. Two other 7's waoting in line for repairs so the gsl-se needs to come out of the garage.
Well, at that time I guess I can change out my cluster and get a new speedo cable so the other don't break once everting is back together.
I hope that is a easy removal.

 

Well on the thread below they were discussing if the heater core can be removed without taking out the AC and other stuff. You may be able to remove the heater core box through the passenger side if you disconnect and remove the AC evaporator box. Then maybe you could slide the box out sidways through the passenger floorboard area. The tricky part would be that in addition to the side bolt(s), there are to bolt studs that hang down from the body of the car below the windsheild which two nuts go on to secure the heater box. The box must come forward (towards you, ie rear of the car) and maybe tilted slightly to clear the studs. Can't see this in the picture above, its above and behind the box on this view. Oh and you will want to disconnect the heater lines on the engine bay side that run through the firewall first.

Are you sure that you need to replace the heater core? On mine it turned out to be the heater control valve. Which is on the driver's side. There is a plastic cover that is held one by one screw that covers it. Mine had green tarnesh arount the corrper pipes near it. I don't know if it is possible but you maybe able to change this without removing the heater box. Downside is Victoria British is the only place that I have found that has a new heater control valve and it's $90+. I was able to get the heater core new at NAPA for approx $45.

It's not too bad to remove the dash/subframe. You first need to remove all of the lower trim pieces and steering wheel. There are two bolts on each side of the dash near to the door hinges there are two bolt on the floor infront of the gear shifter in the center of the subframe. Remove defrost vent trim at base of windshield and side window trim to get it out. Approx three bolts at base of windsheild. Two bolts under the steering wheel column that bolt to the subframe. and then unplug a couple of plugs under the dash and disconnect the two or three rods that connect to the heater control valve, vent control, and I think there is one by the blower motor (round box on the passenger side).

I guestimate one weekend at a leisurely pace. Say take out it about Saturday , replace the heater core, put back together on Sunday.

https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generation-specific-1979-1985-18/help-heat-ac-385395/

 

I really wish you guys would stop posting those heater core pics, they are bringing back a ton of bad memories that have been successfully repressed till now!!!!!