Deleted per Cliffw's request.

[This message has been edited by JazzMan (edited 11-22-2011).]

[This message has been edited by JazzMan (edited 11-22-2011).]

Great write up! If this doesn't earn a + I don't know what does.

I connected the lower hose to the heater core then slowly filled the heater core with coolant, before connecting the upper hose, to let air bubbles out. I didn't have to burp the system after doing this,

Great write up. I'd give you a "+" but you I already have you one. I wish I had seen this a month or so ago when I was changing my heater core.

The hardest part is getting those heater core hoses off. What I did was to get some metal clothes hangers and bend the ends to form little hooks then pull the hoses off.

How is this procedure different between an A/C car and a non-A/C car?

[This message has been edited by JazzMan (edited 11-22-2011).]

Wouldn't a link to this and other useful threads like the headliner one be helpfull or is search enough?

Excellent! Now, can anyone tell me how to identify the difference in the heater cores themselves? (AC vs non-AC)

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John DuRette
Black 85 SE, undergoing work as we speak!

AC cores have longer tubes.
Don

I got excited when I saw the subject say "repair"...but you really mean replace..
Does anyone know of any ways to have the leek repaired? The local parts store
wants 85 bucks for the new part...

Any Radiator repair shop can repair the core, but proably would charge close to the price of a new one.
Don

quote Originally posted by Jersey: Wouldn't a link to this and other useful threads like the headliner one be helpfull or is search enough?

I thought the same thing.

Hey Cliff, could you create a section that posts of this type could go in?

Call it "How To" or something similar.

After the author is done with the thread and any tweaking it needed from him/her and other forum members it would go there for easy access.

Jazzman, a + for you for the great thread, one question though, it's been a while since I did a heater core replacement, but, isn't there a retaining strap at each end of the core?

I can't remeber for sure.

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Where will the road take you today?

Seanpaul
$49.98 at Advanceautoparts.com

Larry

Fiero Store is also $49.95

GREAT WRITE UP JAZZMAN! I know it takes a long time to write all that stuff up and post the pics and know we all appreciate it. Got a + from me.

Phil

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87 FIERO GT 2.8 5spd

If you found my advice helpful, please take the time to give me a positive rating. Thanks

Hmm, Two months I did the heater core in my 88GT with A/C and I did not have to remove the speaker. So I guess either that top screw is not there on an 88 or the previous ownner also did a heater core and left the screw out.

[This message has been edited by JazzMan (edited 11-22-2011).]

AUTOZONE'S WEBSITE SELLS THEM FOR $29.--i JUST BOUGHT ONE A FEW WEEKS AGO. tHEIR STORE SELLS THEM FOR $49--NO ONE KNOWS WHY THE PRICE DIFFERENCE BUT i SUGGEST YOU ORDER ONE OFF THE WEBSITE. sHIPPING WAS ANOTHER $6.

SMILE

My heater cover looks different and does not seem to come out the same way. ive been fighting with it for hours and i cant get it off
heres a pic:

is it just me or does this look different then the pics above? any thoughts that can help me out?

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*click to see my Fiero site*

[This message has been edited by Fiero~Spataro (edited 04-07-2004).]

Yours is different because you don't have air conditioning. The cover you need to remove is in the trunk. It is somewhat large and is held on with a half dozen or so screws.

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Rod Schneider, Woodstock, Ga.
White 88 GT

By trunk, I think he means up front where the spare tire is.

quote Originally posted by JazzMan: . Being Texan, I've never seen a Fiero that didn't have A/C..

I have 2-75 AC on SmoothGT.. Now you have!!

As USUAL.. great thread from the Jazzman!

Steve

------------------
aka."SmoothGT"
Custom Built W I D E B O D Y ~ GT!! One of One!!
3.4DOHC/5speed swap coming soon..(gathering part's now!)

.........+++++++++++++++++++++..............cool as usual............

Did your heater core have a foam pad with 2 holes in it, to slide over the tubes prior to installation? Mine does, but you can never tell whether it ends up in the right place or not. I think it ends up getting pushed up the tubes, toward the core and is of little use in that position, IMO.

[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 04-08-2004).]

Well since i am replacing my heater core with non A/C, i figured id add a little to this write up

1. as jazzman said, you will be taking the core out from the front compartment. follow the same procedures he did above to clamp the hoses
*no need to take out the windshield fluid resevoir in non a/c procedure*

2. unscrew the bolts around the heater cover, i think theres about 6 or seven

3. Take off the hoses from the core (fight with it, it will take some prying and force)

4. unscrew the one bolt that hold in the metal bracket, which holds the core in place.

then just pull it out and reverse the procedure!
good luck!

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*click to see my Fiero site*

[This message has been edited by Fiero~Spataro (edited 04-14-2004).]

bump

For those of you who haven't seen this!
These types of threads are GREAT!!!!!

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I'm glad i found this thread. I smell coolant.

Steve

WEEE!!! Theres coolant everywhere on the floor ... I'm gona have fun fun fun replacing it, NOT .... thanks for the thread, it'll help a lot

+ + + + rating!!!

quote Originally posted by Seanpaul: I got excited when I saw the subject say "repair"...but you really mean replace.. Does anyone know of any ways to have the leek repaired? The local parts store wants 85 bucks for the new part...

It depends on where the leak is...If it's on one of the tubes, you probably could repair it with a propane torch & some silver solder, just like sealing a pipe when you're doing plumbing...

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85 SE 2m4 resurrected

...

Great to see the non-A/C procedure has been added, but like Jazz Man I have never seen a Fiero without A/C.

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1988 GT (Firebird Interior),1988 Fastback (Chop-top), 1984 Indy...and the rest Firebird Interior Installation Website

quote Originally posted by jscott1: ...but like Jazz Man I have never seen a Fiero without A/C.

Come to Canada.

Great write up jazzman i memorized it and went out in front of my condo and got to work

from start to stop took me about 35 minutes just because 2 of the heater core cover panel bolts were hard to get to being as how they are very top and the other one is jammed next to the insulation by the tire hump

A++++++++++ and all i did to find this was a search in pennock and BOOM i was under way

$49.95 + tax at auto zone with a lifetime warranty

Adam

Thanks Jazzman, I just replaced my thermostat to correct a low temp problem, and now I have a faint smell of coolant.

Was my next project, This will save me some time figuring it out.....

DR

88GT

Thanks for great article Jazzmann and spataro , I just did my non air canadian 88gt. Picked up the heater core from rockauto.com for abot $31. Hardest part was getting the hoses off the old core without damaging them.

[This message has been edited by RossT (edited 12-30-2004).]

+ for both of you for the writeup.

Thanks, Matt

Does anyone know for certain that the 88's had or did'nt have the top screw holding the core in place.
"The one you need to remove the speaker to get to"

[This message has been edited by JazzMan (edited 11-22-2011).]