Heat/ac box removal

[john h]

Anyone have an idea if I could drag the heater/ac box out of the drivers door?  I'm planning on dropping mine soon to rebuild but the car is on a lift with the passenger door fairly close to a counter top and I can't open the door very wide.  I was planning on pulling the seats for extra room inside to work, the drivers door can open all the way up. Trying to not have to re arrange the garage to pull the car out and back it onto the lift. 

Thanks
John

[70chall440]

If you pull the seats and remove the console (assuming you have one), you will be able to get it out of the car as it is not that big once out from underneath the dash. Be aware that it will leak ALOT as the heater core tends to retain a fair amount of coolant. I recommend 2 things

1. once you pull the heater hoses, stuff a rag into the heat core tubes and tape over. You might be able to get some caps that will fit through the firewall but in my experience they usually pops off as you pull the heater box through.

2. cover your floor/carpet with plastic (assuming this is or will be in the car), if not disregard

[john h]

If you pull the seats and remove the console (assuming you have one), you will be able to get it out of the car as it is not that big once out from underneath the dash. Be aware that it will leak ALOT as the heater core tends to retain a fair amount of coolant. I recommend 2 things

1. once you pull the heater hoses, stuff a rag into the heat core tubes and tape over. You might be able to get some caps that will fit through the firewall but in my experience they usually pops off as you pull the heater box through.

2. cover your floor/carpet with plastic (assuming this is or will be in the car), if not disregard

Thanks for the advice.  I do have newer carpet so I will need to be careful.  I was thinking maybe I could use a shop vac and suck some of the antifreeze out before I drop the box into the interior. Possibly blow through  1 side and capture out of the other with a long hose extension into a bucket. Low pressure of course.  I don't want to damage the core.  it's never leaked so far.  I would like to keep it if possible  I have read that the replacements cores are not made as well or fit properly.

[70chall440]

I would STRONGLY recommend that you take the core out, take it to a radiator shop and have them pressure test it. if there is any leaks they will find it and repair it. I have replaced several in recent year and found them to be fine, but maybe I was just lucky.

[john h]

I would STRONGLY recommend that you take the core out, take it to a radiator shop and have them pressure test it. if there is any leaks they will find it and repair it. I have replaced several in recent year and found them to be fine, but maybe I was just lucky.

where have you been sourcing the cores from?

[70chall440]

One I got from a local auto parts store and the other i believe Rock Auto.