Changing Heater Core in 55 Bel Air

[JoeB]

Has anyone ever changed a heater core in a 55 that can share their experience with me? I'm fixin' to work on my dad's car, and I've never attempted any work on an original 55 chevy. Or any 55 for that matter.

I rebuilt the 1 barrel carb on his six last night, and I noticed that the previous owner had "looped" the heater core hoses together to bypass the core inside the interior (or I assume it's inside the passenger compartment). Probably a leak I'm guessing. Anyway I would like to change that for him, but first I was looking for tips from more experienced folks before I started.

Thanks,
JoeB

[ndpolston]

i pulled mine out to see if it was ok. i haven't replaced it yet because i want to upgrade to heat and ac.

[Ben52835]

Joe;
It is easier than it looks - just time consuming. Danchuk has a tech article you can download to review the process. Have some downtime available because once you get back there you will want to do other stuff "while you are there." I did mine last winter (55 deluxe) and ended up with a new firewall pad and dash harness. Also took the radiator out and repainted while the fluid was out. (How's that for self control?)
You will have the firewall stripped (engine side) on the passenger side and various cables and wires running to the heater control out of service. The saving grace is that if the housings are intact - all other parts are available aftermarket.
Good luck.
Ben

[reborn55]

Just take your time, get as much antifreeze drained as possible, and put plenty of towels or whatever over the carpet if still in there. Don't want to contaminate the carpeting.

[MikeKy55]

Also, tape the ends of the heater core pipes. That way if there is any coolant still in the core, it won't spill.

[JoeB]

Thanks for the help guys. Good thinking on trying to keep the fluid inside the core. From what I can tell it's the original carpet. He might get a tad bit upset if I were to ruin that. Should I plan on a two-three hour job?

Ben, I know what you mean be the "exploda-project". That's where you start out touching up the a place on the inner fenders and end up doing a frame off resto job. I did just that on my car, and it's still not done.

[Ben52835]

Explode is the right word. I didn't mention the sound deadener for the firewall or the re-do of the speedometer.

Ben