need to replace heater core on a/c car

[73 challenger 440]

my heater core is leaking, the car is originally an a/c car.. can someone how to get it out, I really dont want to bypass it...

[ViperMan]

Did you get up under the dash to check it out?  I'd imagine just gettin' up in there and takin' it apart.  I can't imagine having to pull the dash for this, but maybe getting in through the glovebox will help.  I dunno - my icon still says "newbie." 

Jeff

[purple1]

Thats a real fun job. 

The dash does not have to be taken out. Take the long trim off the lower dash. Remove the glove box and the ash tray housing. They have a stap going to the dash cowl, you will see when the glove box is out, remove it. Don't disconect the hoses from the heater box take them off at the a/c switch. Some of the ducts will also have to come out(it's been some time now, don't remember all of it). Then remove the blower motor. Then there are three nuts on the fire wall(engine side) that hold the box in.

With the box out of the car you can take it apart and replace the core. I had a box from another car I rebuilt first, so all I had to do was swap out the boxes. I replaced the core and all the foams on the doors. Cleaned it out( mine was half filled with crud), and presure tested the a/c core before putting it all back together. Take your time and good luck.

Other members may know some tricks to doing this job. I just remember this was a fun one.

Dave 

[73 challenger 440]

yea, I looked under the dash, and said OH Man!! where to start, geeze I would think for an older car it wouldn't be that difficult.. well we see if I have some problems I'll take some pics and post them, curently there is no a/c  compressor,  that was taken off by previous owner...

[purple1]

Yea, I forgot about the a/c lines on the firewall. Mine had been cut off at the wall. Someone had cut the a/c core and ruined it. It was not that hard to do, just lots of stuff has to come off and then back on. Just take your time and keep track of how everything goes back and you will do fine. If you need some help, this is the best board in the world. You will find good people and good help here. 

Dave 

[73 challenger 440]

very much appreaciated